Member Avatar for bluelinebrotha

Hey all,
Currently I live in Maine, but as of late, I would like to take my family to IL and get a fresh start. The only problem is finding a tech job down there while still living here. Any tips on how I might go about doing this?

Thanks,
Hunter

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Practical, focused steps to find a tech job in Illinois while still living in Maine, building on the quick pointers from and .

Start with presentation: make the LinkedIn headline and summary show the Illinois target (for example, "Relocating to Chicago area - available for interviews"). Put a short relocation line on the resume instead of faking a local address. Add concrete artifacts employers expect in tech roles: GitHub, a short portfolio, or architecture diagrams tied to outcomes. Tailor bullets to match wording used in local job descriptions to pass keyword filters.

Make outreach deliberate: identify 20 target companies (mix of in-house tech teams and consultancies), then use LinkedIn to find 1st/2nd-degree contacts and alumni. Follow ’s recruiter idea but prepare a 30-second pitch and a one-paragraph email that states the move timeline, core skills, and availability for phone/video screens. Use informational calls to learn hiring rhythms in the city and to get warm introductions.

Plan interviews to minimize travel: stack phone/video screens first; when there is mutual interest, arrange a condensed in-person trip (2-3 days) to meet multiple teams. Bring printed resumes, local references if possible, and be ready to discuss relocation timing. Ask about relocation assistance early in the offer discussion; many employers will reimburse house-hunting trips or provide a lump-sum.

Track everything in a simple spreadsheet (company, contact, role, date, next step). Be honest about current location and availability to avoid surprises. For tax or residency questions, confirm details with HR or a tax advisor after an offer is received. These practical steps make an out-of-state move far more likely to succeed than a scattershot application approach.

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Member Avatar for WaltP

Hey all,
Currently I live in Maine, but as of late, I would like to take my family to IL and get a fresh start. The only problem is finding a tech job down there while still living here. Any tips on how I might go about doing this?

Thanks,
Hunter

The web is full of job postings. Search job sites and national contract houses.

Member Avatar for GRaymer

Start contacting recruiters in that area to see if they can at least get you some info. They know the job market and are usually willing to help.

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