Finding Work In Central Florida
For every discussion I’ve ever had about moving or traveling, there’s always a handful of questions about finding work and how we went about doing just that. It makes sense and it’s a good question to ask if you’re considering a move. The challenge is that it’s a question that has dramatically different answers depending on a wide range of factors. Of course, the “where” plays a big role. In the case of this particular discussion we’re talking about Central Florida, so we’ll consider that accounted for. There’s also the “when” and the very important “what” that needs to be taken into consideration. This all having been said, it can be really difficult to give what some might consider to be “solid” advice or guidance when it comes to finding a job in Central Florida. . . or anywhere really. There are still a few things worth mentioning though, which is what we’re going to focus on today.
Right off the bat, as I mentioned above, giving advice on finding work that is both solid and somewhat generic is a very difficult thing to do. This is for no other reason than the fact that finding work is a very subjective experience. Different people with different levels of experience, backgrounds, job expectations and family dynamics will all experience something very different from what others with different levels of experience, backgrounds, job expectations and family dynamics will experience. Sprinkle on top the way people handle stress, rejection and anxiety. . . . Needless to say, no one person can have a full enough grasp on every scenario to give out the perfect piece of advice for everyone. That being the case, this isn’t going to be the place where you find the secrets to landing the perfect job. Sorry. What I am aiming to do today is give you a few ideas to kick around so that you can get on the path that is right for you. We’ll see how it goes and you can let me know how you make out later.
Finally, we need to devote some time to talking about where you live now and how that plays a role in finding work. One of the most inconvenient truths about trying to find work in Central Florida is that you may encounter challenges if you currently live out of state. More specifically, you may not quality for a position if you’re not currently living in Florida. This is something that we saw in a number of positions that we would have otherwise qualified for. Right at the top of the requirements list, “Valid Florida State Driver’s License” or “Florida Residents Only”.
Now, as some of you who have been part of past discussions may know, this was not the first time we’ve considered a move to Central Florida. The first time was around 5 or 6 years ago. At the time, we were living overseas and were in very different circumstances than we are right now. That said, one thing we didn’t find ourselves running into, back then, was the “Florida Residents Only” situation that is currently present in the job market. Why is this the case? While we can’t be completely sure, our best guess is that this is a result of the way things have changed since 2020. With the wants and needs of employers and employees changing, so too have the requirements for positions. I’d imagine that, in some cases, employers spend a lot of time filing through hopeful future residents and can’t get to the qualified candidates that are currently available and ready to work. At the end of the day, this isn’t great for productivity. That’s a completely different discussion for someone entirely different to be having with you though.
Assuming you still want to move to Florida and are finding yourself looking at a lot of “Florida Resident Only” job listings, the question becomes: what is there to do next? It’s another great question. Like so many of what we often discuss around here, the way you handle this situation is going to depend heavily on your priorities, wants and needs. For those who are only casually considering a move to Florida, I think that it’s likely best to continue looking for positions that you qualify for and aren’t designated for Florida Residents Only. This might stretch out the time it takes you to find work, but if you’re not fully committed to making the move to Florida, it’s what we think is a good way to go. On the other hand, if you’re prepared to make the move to Central Florida one way or another, there’s a more drastic route you might want to consider. While it’s most definitely not right for everyone, the right people might find that it makes more sense to move to Central Florida first and find work once you arrive. This is an option that I’d really only recommend to the right type of person, specifically someone who is set on moving to Central Florida and is at a major disadvantage trying to find work in their field living out of state.
Much like relocating elsewhere in the United States or the world, moving to Florida is a lot of work. There are quite a few things to do in order to make the transition smooth and finding a job is just one of them. Whatever field you’re in or whichever route you take, we hope that you have the best possible experience!