Do employers consider your location?
Discussion
I have been applying for jobs within an hours drive of my house. I think this is a reasonable temporary commute, as I would most definitely move closer to my job because I'm looking for a new place anyway.
My question is, will employers prioritise me less if they think I may struggle to make it into work on time? Talking to one recruitment consultant, she suggested the 30-40 minute commute is too long / expensive, for a job paying £20k.
Is it worth stating I would move closer the area, in a covering letter?
My question is, will employers prioritise me less if they think I may struggle to make it into work on time? Talking to one recruitment consultant, she suggested the 30-40 minute commute is too long / expensive, for a job paying £20k.
Is it worth stating I would move closer the area, in a covering letter?
NotConfused said:
I have been applying for jobs within an hours drive of my house. I think this is a reasonable temporary commute, as I would most definitely move closer to my job because I'm looking for a new place anyway.
My question is, will employers prioritise me less if they think I may struggle to make it into work on time? Talking to one recruitment consultant, she suggested the 30-40 minute commute is too long / expensive, for a job paying £20k.
Is it worth stating I would move closer the area, in a covering letter?
It depends on the employer. For most people, a 30 min commute is nothing so it shouldn't factor. My first ever job (grad role many years ago) was just over an hours commute for less pay than you mention. It tends to only really be a factor if the employer has been burned before by people saying they will commute and then leaving for a more local job when one comes up, or never actually turning up because they've found another role in their notice period.My question is, will employers prioritise me less if they think I may struggle to make it into work on time? Talking to one recruitment consultant, she suggested the 30-40 minute commute is too long / expensive, for a job paying £20k.
Is it worth stating I would move closer the area, in a covering letter?
You do need to make it clear you're committed to the role and are flexible for (and even welcome) relocation. Perhaps you have family very local to where the new role is so actually want to move there anyway
Personally as an employer it wouldn't worry me at all.
At a wild guess, your recruitment consultant was probably burned previously by people backing out or leaving soon after joining, tarnishing her reputation and reducing her commission.
Depends on what job you are going for.
I'm a train driver and many companies will ignore your application if you live more than 30-60 minutes away from the depot. (they never bat an eyelid when you move house afterwards though!). When I went for my job I had to demonstrate that I could get in for all the differing shifts.
Most employers couldn't give a monkeys though as long as you can get to work on time.
I'm a train driver and many companies will ignore your application if you live more than 30-60 minutes away from the depot. (they never bat an eyelid when you move house afterwards though!). When I went for my job I had to demonstrate that I could get in for all the differing shifts.
Most employers couldn't give a monkeys though as long as you can get to work on time.
Recruitment consultants are, in general, a complete shower of b
ds. I've happily said it to their faces and will do in the future. Saying that, a best mate is one. He agrees.
All they want is the easiest route to put someone in this role.
Do what you have to do to bluff your way past them, it's the client you need to get in front off to convince them.
As for 30-40 mins, that nothing. I commute approx 1,500miles from Belfast to Stockholm every week!
I'll say it again, recruitment consultants are a a shower.
ds. I've happily said it to their faces and will do in the future. Saying that, a best mate is one. He agrees.All they want is the easiest route to put someone in this role.
Do what you have to do to bluff your way past them, it's the client you need to get in front off to convince them.
As for 30-40 mins, that nothing. I commute approx 1,500miles from Belfast to Stockholm every week!
I'll say it again, recruitment consultants are a a shower.
NotConfused said:
Talking to one recruitment consultant, she suggested the 30-40 minute commute is too long / expensive, for a job paying £20k.
Highlighted is the first problem.However, 30-40 minutes would probably be 20-25 miles. At 25 miles each way, in a car averaging 40 mpg, this would cost £8 per day. So £40 a week.
I would say that is very much acceptable on a £20k salary, which is around £1,300 per month net. Basically just over 10% of the net take home is spent on fuel.
Thanks for the input. I know there is a stigma attached with recruitment consultants, unfortunately the bad ones I spoke to out number the good ones. Infact I've just spoke to a chap who I don't think gave a damn, you'd never guess he'd be earning commission. I'm surprised he rang me up.
Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
NotConfused said:
Thanks for the input. I know there is a stigma attached with recruitment consultants, unfortunately the bad ones I spoke to out number the good ones. Infact I've just spoke to a chap who I don't think gave a damn, you'd never guess he'd be earning commission. I'm surprised he rang me up.
Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
Recuitment consultants only want you to apply for 1 job at a time I think. partly due to if you get offered a role and turn it down cause you have another job.Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
On the other hand if you are applying for other jobs then you are serious about changing jobs.
The distance from work issue is an inconsistent minefield for all concerned. Vehicle reliability, bad weather, hold ups, driving risks, fuel costs, times when your employer may need to ask you to stay late/ come in early/be on-call etc all come in to play. I would simply understand the requirement of the role you are looking at and ask yourself if you can honestly meet that requirement with the distance involved. If you can, then you should have no problem convincing a prospective employer. If you're good, they'll want you anyway! Good luck!
Kudos said:
Recruitment consultants are, in general, a complete shower of bds. I've happily said it to their faces and will do in the future. Saying that, a best mate is one. He agrees.
All they want is the easiest route to put someone in this role.
Do what you have to do to bluff your way past them, it's the client you need to get in front off to convince them.
As for 30-40 mins, that nothing. I commute approx 1,500miles from Belfast to Stockholm every week!
I'll say it again, recruitment consultants are a a shower.
Knobds. I've happily said it to their faces and will do in the future. Saying that, a best mate is one. He agrees.All they want is the easiest route to put someone in this role.
Do what you have to do to bluff your way past them, it's the client you need to get in front off to convince them.
As for 30-40 mins, that nothing. I commute approx 1,500miles from Belfast to Stockholm every week!
I'll say it again, recruitment consultants are a a shower.
Agree. Recruiters are the same level as used car sales men for me on the whole.
Have dealt with some outstanding ones (who I'd happily use again) though. They tend to be a bit older and actually know the industry!
Anyway, I'd say yes, within reason. I missed out on an interview once as I lived approx. 25 miles from the place, they hired someone more local.
Have dealt with some outstanding ones (who I'd happily use again) though. They tend to be a bit older and actually know the industry!
Anyway, I'd say yes, within reason. I missed out on an interview once as I lived approx. 25 miles from the place, they hired someone more local.
NotConfused said:
Thanks for the input. I know there is a stigma attached with recruitment consultants, unfortunately the bad ones I spoke to out number the good ones. Infact I've just spoke to a chap who I don't think gave a damn, you'd never guess he'd be earning commission. I'm surprised he rang me up.
Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
It would be nice to say "be honest", but unfortunately that tends not to work so well with recruiters.Curious, when asked, are they offput when you tell them that you are looking at other jobs? He sounded more bored when I replied and said yes I have applied for other jobs. Whats the best answer?
The best answer is to tell them you've only just started looking and are very keen on the role and committed to starting a new role within the next few weeks. You haven't applied for anything else yet, and are willing to wait for a week or so before applying elsewhere to find out if the manager for this role (which is perfect for you, of course) is going to interview you.
You can always turn the question around too, and ask if many others have applied for this role... and ask the recruiter whether they would recommend you solely hold out for this role or whether they think it's prudent that you apply for others too. Their answer can give a fair amount away. Let them do the talking... they often give a lot more away than they would actually want to.
matt28 said:
It would be nice to say "be honest", but unfortunately that tends not to work so well with recruiters.
The best answer is to tell them you've only just started looking and are very keen on the role and committed to starting a new role within the next few weeks. You haven't applied for anything else yet, and are willing to wait for a week or so before applying elsewhere to find out if the manager for this role (which is perfect for you, of course) is going to interview you.
You can always turn the question around too, and ask if many others have applied for this role... and ask the recruiter whether they would recommend you solely hold out for this role or whether they think it's prudent that you apply for others too. Their answer can give a fair amount away. Let them do the talking... they often give a lot more away than they would actually want to.
This. Brilliant thanks. The best answer is to tell them you've only just started looking and are very keen on the role and committed to starting a new role within the next few weeks. You haven't applied for anything else yet, and are willing to wait for a week or so before applying elsewhere to find out if the manager for this role (which is perfect for you, of course) is going to interview you.
You can always turn the question around too, and ask if many others have applied for this role... and ask the recruiter whether they would recommend you solely hold out for this role or whether they think it's prudent that you apply for others too. Their answer can give a fair amount away. Let them do the talking... they often give a lot more away than they would actually want to.
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