[aprildb]

The question is: Has anyone gotten a position long distance sight unseen by submitting their resume online in response to an advert for chef or whatnot? (barring having a last name like Flay or Lagassi...)

I'm curious. I have submitted my rez to several places and planning to relocate to the East Coast but want to have some prospects before I go.

I haven't heard back from any of the places (yes allowing for the possibility that my experience isn't what they need) but was wondering about L/D hire in instances like this.

Input please.

Thanks
April

[ianman1128]

Honestly April, it would scare the **** out of me and I, being that way, would never try. I have known several freespirited people that have done this, lots of them have gone ahead on vacations or little trips to see what they can sniff out job and apartment wise, that would be the only thing I could suggest, if at all possible. Good luck. Let us know how things turn out.

[ED BUCHANAN]

Yes Years ago. they checked on me then asked me to come to their place AT THEIR EXPENSE to take written, Interview and practical test. I was offered position, but turned it down after finding out they went threw staff monthly. They were new in business and purchased place recently and did not really have direction.

[DuckFat]

I think it really depends on the position and the place you are applying to. I can't imagine any one hiring a Chef with out at least one personal interview. A resume is simply a tool to get you that interview. For positions less than Chef I might understand especially to Large Hotels, Cruise lines, Disney etc. Some employers may have numerous openings on a regular basis and you may get hired by the corporation and then placed after secondary interviews but even that is not terribly common.

[cheflayne]

I got a job in the Caribbean while I was in California through an online advertisement. The interview process was conducted online and over several phone conversations (AKA interviews). With a product such as skype and a webcam, they can even be somewhat considered as "hi-tech in person".

As to the no response, in this day of internet splendor and wonder, the sheer volume of responses received to a posted want ad, can be somewhat overwhelming. So don't get discouraged!

[rat]

I took a job in the Carribean after a short phone call from my new boss, she came into my shop and liked what she saw so offered me a job. It was great and I had a great time for 3 years down there. I would think of every and any question I had before doing anything. Think of your expenses, where will you live, will there be a trial period, will they help you relocate or find a place to stay? Find out exactly what your job description will be as well as your employers expectations from you.
Just some things to consider. Peace.

April,

I can answer your question in a couple steps. Assuming you are presently in the States, it sounds like you are on the West Coast or somewhere in between and are seeking employment on the East Coast. I have enjoyed many years of traveling from state to state and to various countries all over the world.
You happen to be looking at the right time for East Coast employment if you want to live from S. Carolina and down for the snowbird season. Or the other option which is more slim are the N.E. ski resorts.

Keep in mind and don't be discouraged at the lack of replies from employers as things in our industry have changed significantly as of late. About a year ago, if someone placed and ad on any of the major culinary job sites (depending on the position) they may have received 200 or so resumes. Now that number has increased due to the economy to about 600.

I read all the replies to your post and some didn't pertain to moving from one coast to the other - more along the lines of Caribbean jobs.

Here it is in a nutshell really - If you are seeking an Exec position and someone has posted the position on a one of the bigger culinary sites like i hire , star chefs or h careers......chances are if contacted and they are interested, you will be flown in for an interview and do your tasting etc and possibly negotiate relocation and housing. I have done that all my life and with great success. If you are looking on indeed, craigslist or smaller sites, chances are they want to deal locally. (again, depending on what they are looking for).

In regards to Caribbean or over seas jobs......much much easier to be relocated, housed etc. Just have to do your homework on where you are looking and the potential employer.

Personally speaking, if it sounds like a culinary adventure and a chance to learn a new culture and have a blast.....I'm all in! I have been dropped in the middle of the rain forest in Belize, small atolls in the middle of the S. Pacific (Maldives), remote islands off the coast of Africa.......the list goes on. Loved it! Some people can pick up like that, some can't and get spooked. Fear of the unknown I guess.

Here is a quick for instance. Presently I am opening a killer new restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I have ads placed for a bi lingual sous chef plastered all over the web, includes relo, housing etc.... I am getting resumes in but unfortunately people can't read or read selectively. Most if not all, not fitting the description of what I am seeking.
Unfortunately there are so many unemployed chefs out there right now - people will apply to just about anything in hopes for a job. (without reading all the details about it)

Not saying that is what you are doing by any means, but you are looking in a pretty tough market right now - especially East Coast and winter on its way.

I know I went off course there but hey - being a chef and NOT having ADD is pretty unusual!

If you have any specific places you are looking - feel free to shoot me a message - I have some pretty great connections on the coast.

Hope some if not all this helps...........

Chef D.

~To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.
La Rochefoucauld

[Pete]

I have done a lot of long distance resuming sending in my past. I usually focus my search on 1 city or geographic area. I then send out lots of resumes. If people are interested I try to set up a number of interviews for a three day span then fly myself out to do interviewing. It's only worth it if you can set up a bunch of interviews. Better yet maybe a place or two will be interested enough to fly you out at their expense, but that is usually only for upper management, Executive Chef, or Executive Sous Chef. Some places will fly you out for a Sous Chef interview but not many, and no one will offer to fly you out to fill a cook's position.

In this economy I think you would have a hard time finding places, other than large chains, that would be willing to fly you out, at least for the first interview. Fly yourself out for 3 full days. You can easily do 7-10 interviews on those days, or more depending on how you schedule it, but let them know, during the interview process that if they like you and want to do follow ups then they need to fly you back at their expense. This process has worked for me a number of times.