Is it okay to apply for an out-of-state job to learn about a company if you're not ready to move yet?

Good question. I’ll be interested in your answers.

One thought is why not do all your research on the internet to learn about the companies, but not actually apply until you’re ready to move in the next 4 weeks?

It’s a damned good idea and a rather ueless question. How many people do you suppose will criticize it? Tell us please how etiquette in any way matters here.

What was that all about @stanleybmanly? Did you answer the wrong question?

Do it. Absolutely.

Employers want lots of applicants. You will benefit from the practice. Maybe they hire you for your dream job.

There is no reason to hesitate.

I’m certainly guilty of it in the past. But this time, I sincerely don’t understand the reason or sense of the question. I guess the op is asking for suggestions on accomplishing a sensible goal. But what conceivable negatives can be manufactured opposing so sensible an idea? And ethics, ETHICS?

ETHICS?

Yes, ethics.

In this case I would not worry about it, but it is ethical to be considerate of other people’s time.

I would be somewhat peeved if I was in HR and a person wasted my time and was all, “LOL J/K I don’t want the job”. The second time around the resume would go right in the trash.

There are other ways to research this stuff. Even if it is a simple email asking questions acknowledging your intent to apply in the future.

Right. You wouldn’t want to actually apply if you can’t accept it. But touching base with them, if they have the time, is a good idea.

I would be somewhat peeved if I was in HR and a person wasted my time and was all, “LOL J/K I don’t want the job”.

Very few applications meet that point. Most don’t get past the first glance. Tons of qualified resumes go straight in the trash.

@Call Me Jay Oh. I think of our club as a place where we want our time wasted.

@Call_Me_Jay but someone DOES get interviewed and someone DOES get hired. It would look bad if they spent time reading her resume, discussing it, calling her for an interview her and she says, “Oh, I can’t! I don’t live there!”

“Oh, I can’t! I don’t live there!”

“But we want you. Here’s a lot of money!”

“OK, I’ll move.”

Have you been drinking @Call_Me_Jay?

Job applications are comparable to window shopping – no decisions, and no commitments. Very few applicants get considered; fewer get interviewed; still fewer get offered positions. There’s no reason not to express an interest, no matter how tenuous, and test the waters.

The company takes hundreds of applications and dismisses all of them.

Except one.

They wasted everybody else’s time. Right? How unethical!

@Love_my_doggie I think that when you submit an application the company has a reasonable expectation that you will be available for the job, should they offer it to you.

when you submit an application the company has a reasonable expectation that you will be available for the job

Nonsense.

You submit lots of applications, looking for the best offer.

Companies review lots of applicants, looking for the best hire.

“You submit lots of applications, looking for the best offer.” Sure. But they assume you’re available at the time you submitted the application. That may change and you aren’t available in the end, and that’s the way it goes.
To submit an application when you know you aren’t available is a waste of everyone’s time.

@johnpowell and I seldom see eye-to-eye on things, but this is one of those rare times.

With the internet, and LinkedIn and so many other social and professional networking opportunities around, it would truly be a waste of time – yours and the company’s – to interview to “find out about them” and to “be a resource that they might want to contact in some uncertain future”. Maybe in the day of the telegraph and the steam train, but probably not even then, not really.

No one will keep your résumé on hand for the “perfect fit” job that “they recall from your interview months ago” you would be perfect for. When the time comes, the call for applicants goes out, a crew of new potential employees interviews “right now” for jobs that they want “right now” and they are soon hired. The other résumés go in the trash; there’s no file of likely applicants; no collection of “oh, we should give her a call” names, nothing like that.

And since many companies pay the travel and lodging expenses of “serious” applicants, the potential exists that you would waste not only people’s time, but their cash as well. If you want to apply for a job in Chicago “to begin at such-and-such a date in the future”, and however far in the future would suit you to actually take – and it’s clear to all of the participants that you’re not interested in a right-now job – then that would be (could be) a good thing. Even so, if you’re a good enough fit for a future job, then they will probably offer you one on the spot, and expect a yes-or-no answer. Business works on timelines that lead to production, not daydreaming.

Otherwise, don’t go gallivanting for a job that you have no serious interest in taking.

@Introverted_Leo! Haven’t seen you around here in ages. Welcome back.

I don’t see anything wrong with taking an interest in a possible job opportunity that you may be in a position to follow up on later. This must happen all the time. If you state clearly that you’re thinking of relocating to their area, there’s nothing misleading about it. And, depending on the company, it may not matter. I worked for a global company that hired people right where they were and let them telecommute. At first it was weird to have team members in Austin, Toronto, Raleigh, San Jose, and Dublin, but we got used to it.

Amazing negativity and discouragement you got going, people. Way to beat down the ambition and energy.

It’s an application. There is no downside for anybody.

It’s NOT an extensive interview.

It’s NOT an all expense paid trip.

The question states that they would Apply for the job in the hopes of learning more. I assume this means getting a interview to ask questions.

I will repost it…

Is it okay to apply for an out-of-state job to learn about a company if you’re not ready to move yet?

Really.. I am all for doing research, just don’t do it in a disingenuous way.

@johnpowell Most job applicants don’t get an interview.

If you believe otherwise, thank your lucky stars for your privileged life.

And I think, from your postings here, you haven’t been coddled. You should understand.

Will you be able to fly up and meet with people on your dime? If so, you can approach managers in the company if you can figure out their emails and tell the truth. A fabulous, short, paragraph, or two about why you are interested in the company or field, and that you plan to move in the next 6–12 months and are interested in talking to people in the company about a potential fit, and to get an idea what it is really like to work for the company. Or, ask to shadow someone for a week.

HR won’t give a shit, you need to go right to the person who might like the idea of helping someone in their career, and interested in your experience. It’s especially good if you are fairly young or looking to change career paths.

Just like applying for jobs, you might send out 30 emails and only get a bit from one or two people.

@Call_Me_Jay I guess I don’t get the point of “applying” for a job that one has no intention of interviewing for, or taking, should the interview be held and result in a job offer.

“Practice applying for jobs?” I can’t believe the OP needs to practice filling in application forms and writing cover letters. Or if she does, then she can do that to her heart’s content … and then shred them and save others the time it would take to read that kind of fictional attempt.

I think we’re missing an important point:

How does filling out a job application teach anyone about the company, unless you’re specifically studying job applications?

Google is a thing.

I guess I don’t get the point of “applying” for a job that one has no intention of interviewing for

It’s not “no intention”.

It is “not sure”.

A job offer sure could change that.

@Call_Me_Jay :: No shit. The question implies that they will have have a opportunity to ask questions which would need some sort of interview or something. My sister was the HR person at Symantec for years. I am well aware of the process since she complained about her job endlessly.

Don’t apply for a job you have no intention of accepting at a company you are interested in for the future. One of the joys of computers is the ability to track things like that – and HR does track turndowns. They do also hang onto resumes that have been emailed. Every company has different timelines for that. Some keep resumes for 3 months/some 6/ some 12. They often keep names longer – but request updated resumes.

If you’re interested in a company for a future fit – email them/use LinkedIn or something similar – get a contact name – call them. Talk to them about their department/plans/future needs – without getting into confidential information.

If your work involves professional qualifications/certification, join the Chicago / regional / state group as soon as you can. Start making connections.

It’s surprising how often contacts made in advance can pay off when needed.

Pissing them off by having them go through a meaningless interview process – that is not going to get you a job at that company in the future.

High-Fives Bella

TEN-FIVES BELLA!

TWENTY FIVES BELLA

o boy!

Hey, everyone. Thanks for all the responses! I’d like to clarify some things about why I’m asking:

(1) I actually already apply for a job but didn’t expect to be offered an interview off the bat; as luck would have it, that’s exactly what’s happened (only a couple of days after applying), hence me asking for advice;
(2) They already know I’m from out of state and have not yet relocated though have intentions to, as stated in my cover letter, yet sent an invite to an interview anyway; and
(3) I work in a pretty small/specialized field as a visual merchandiser for furniture stores, and the company I applied to is small. (Don’t know if that makes any difference on hiring and interview practices or not.)

I applied for the position because I am actually interested; I just wanted to get on people’s radar and put out feelers for when I am ready to move. Though, as @BellaB suggested, it probably would have been better to reach via email and social media instead. Also, I wasn’t applying “for experience.” There really are things you can’t learn just by Googling and internet searches, and I am looking for an employer with fairly specific traits—something that’s best learned by actually talking with them, if not someone who’s worked there before. (I’ve also looked up employee reviews for the company, but they are so small there wasn’t really anything to be found.)

Ah well, live and learn. I’ll keep reading everyone’s responses if there turn out to be more. Thanks for all the feedback!

Good luck. Stay around and let us know, K?

And…if I send you a picture of my house decor, can you give me some feedback??

If you are very interested, you an drag out the process about three I the probably. They so a phone interview, then fly you up once or twice for interview, then you tell them you need a month to start. If it’s a great job go for it now. Why not?

there’s a meet-up group that probably has members who could help you out in the future

http://www.meetup.com/Visual-Merchandising-Chicago/

or hook you up with connections

it’s a pretty new group ( a couple of months old) with close to 100 members

__

good luck with the move and job connection once you’ve moved

@Jeruba Hi there! Thanks for the warm welcome back, and the advice. :)

@Dutchess_III Sure thing! (And yes, I’d be happy to provide some feedback. Send me a message!)

@BellaB That’s great! Thank you, I will definitely check that out.

So the company just viewed my application again, according to the site I applied on. I guess that could be a good thing…? Regardless of what happens, 136 others have applied for the same position on the same site…and I got an interview invite. That’s gotta count for something, right?

I usually hate looking for jobs and am just trying to get a leg up where I can, so I’ve probably jumped the gun in applying right now. Still, it’s nice to know I’m at least marketable. :) I’ll keep y’all posted.

I think it counts for something.

Yeah…I don’t think the hiring manager thoroughly reviewed my application until after they invited me to the interview. Very curt email replies from her when I asked if a webcam interview was possible. Not very official like. She just asked when I would be in Chicago and I just told her the truth: wasn’t planning on being back there until mid-September.

She they were looking to fill the position this week and just wished me “good luck” on my job hunt.

In any case, I’m sure this is a blessing in disguise, lol. Lesson learned!

Like I said, I’m still planning things out with my boyfriend and I’ll be back there in September. I’ll visit a few places, maybe bring some calling cards. No more applications until I’m good and ready!

Most job applicants don’t get an interview. If you believe otherwise, thank your lucky stars for your privileged life. @Call_Me_Jay is strangely silent now!

Good luck @Introverted_Leo. And, also, I’m Extroverted_Leo. Well by nature and by birth, anyway.