Smaller and Secondary Cities are Better for Job-Hunters.

Why Big-City Employers Are Pickier Than Small-Town Ones (And How I Learned This the Hard Way in NYC)

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It’s a hard truth, one I learned while in New York City. I had begged my grumpy cousin to let me live in her spare room. I had high hopes of being able to land a job right away. I ended with a heap of frustration and a learning: big-city employers tend to be a lot pickier than those in smaller towns. While small-town hiring managers may value a wide range of experiences and a “willing-to-learn” attitude, employers in major cities often have a list of requirements that rivals the fine print on a rental contract. From background checks to industry-specific experience, it felt like NYC job postings were practically asking for a superhero.

And that was what I encountered when I decided to try my luck in New York.

I had always been told I was pretty marketable — a dependable worker, with just enough flair to fit in anywhere. So, I figured, why not give the Big Apple a shot? I had this grand vision of getting off the bus, wowing people with my resume, and landing a job within days. So, I went and crashed at my cousin’s place, though “crash” isn’t quite right. “Barely tolerated” is more like it, as she eyed me…