Get to know US cities as part of your job search

Consulting firms are famous (or is that infamous) for repeating during the recruiting season that the best office location to preference is the city where you want to live. For some students, including those new to the US, this can feel easier said than done: McKinsey recently posted for a full-time Associate role, asking students to preference from among 115 cities – over 20 in the US! BCG also is hiring across the US as are organizations beyond management consulting, from Amazon to ZS Associates.

For students new to the United States, getting familiar with different cities is a benefit during both the recruiting process and their career. Below is why and how to get started.

Why employers value commitment to a city

Employers value hiring candidates who will stay with the organization for years, and a commitment to building a life in a given city is part of this consideration. Long-term employees are assets because they:

develop long-term relationships with customers, clients, etc. that can be invaluable to a firm’s success
transfer cross-functional knowledge to colleagues as they advance in their career
reduce hiring/ onboarding costs at the managerial/ executive level as they advance and can aid in onboarding new junior hires

How students can benefit during recruiting

Organizations sometimes struggle to attract candidates to smaller/ newer office locations. Students should note events focused on specific cities as a clue that the organization is keenly interested in hiring there. Attending these sessions are a great way to learn more about the specific office, ask about living and working in the city, and highlight personal interest in the location. Often these organizations give extra time and attention to connect with qualified students who show a compelling interest in working in the area. So as the recruiting process unfolds, students also should build connections with staff in the local offices to continue to learn and showcase interest.

Ways to show commitment or real interest in a location

Beyond building recruiting relations with specific offices, it’s great to provide additional evidence of interest in an area. This interest can be in the work of the office, but also can be about the attraction to the area for life outside of work, such as:

Personal ties to the region, such as family connections, previous work in the area, or a desire to build ties with local communities
An attraction to the lifestyle of the city, such as a big music scene, or robust outdoor activity options
Opportunities for family members, such as hiring opportunities for a partner, short commutes and low cost of living for growing families, strong school systems for children

Where to start learning about US cities

There are a number of great resources that provide different perspectives on getting to know a city.

CDO resources:

GoingGlobal U.S. City Career Guides include hiring trends, industry overviews, networking groups, and an overview of the city culture and lifestyle considerations
Advice from a CDO Career Advisor who last year shared his perspective from experience
Who Went Where documents include the cities where MBA2s interned and recent graduates are now working. Refer to these documents, then reach out to others in Evans Hall to expand your Yale SOM network and learn about living in a city.