Lateral analyst move from California to Chicago - advice?

Hi all,

I'm about 5 months into my first analyst gig on the principal side in Orange County out of a top 10 college. Work is mostly asset management and leasing stuff, but we work in small teams so I'm involved in everything from internal reporting to development to acquisition underwriting.

Due to personal reasons, I'm likely going to be making a move to Chicago in mid-late 2020. I have no connection to Chicago whatsoever, and have no idea what the job market looks like there... anyone have any insight? I'll probably try to stay in a similar role, but would be open to transitioning to the debt side or a different segment of our industry. Trying to keep my options open.

Would appreciate any advice/insight about making this move into the Chicago job market in particular, or this kind of move in general.

6 Comments
 

You're leaving the best weather in the country for one of the regions with the worst weather. Enjoy!

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
"CRE" You're leaving the best weather in the country for one of the regions with the worst weather. Enjoy!

Anyone who makes career choices off of weather preference is both short sighted and an idiot

Edit: Not sure how this is controversial. I never said don't factor in enjoyment of living somewhere whatsoever, or that you should allow yourself to pursue a career in a city you hate where you don't have a single friend/relative. My only point is weather should be at most a mild perk that only enters the equation when you are at a stand still when comparing two options

 

There’s more to life than your career...

Back on topic, I made a similar move to a city I had no connection to, although not Chicago. My advice is to have a story for why you want to move cities. And the story needs to be fairly well thought out and imply you plan to be in Chicago for the long term. Even though most firms know an analyst likely won’t stay for their career, no one wants to hire someone they think will hate the city they have no connection to and want to move somewhere else six months later.

If you’re determined to make the move, you’ll be able to do it. My advice is to start setting up coffee with professionals in Chicago now and plan to make the trip every few months. It shows you’re committed to the move. You’re already at a disadvantage to the local candidates when applying to job postings, so networking will be key. Good luck!

 
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