Job Hunting Dilemma: How to Explain a Different Location on Your Resume?

As I am looking for a job change, I have put my current location as Bangalore instead of Hyderabad (where I am working presently) on job portals. If I receive any calls, how can I manage the recruiter if they ask about my present location? Kindly give me some suggestions on how to handle this.

Thank you,

Jagadeesh

No, sir. If I put my present location as Hyderabad, I am not getting any calls. I want to shift to Bangalore because it's very near to my hometown.

That's no reason to lie. As I said before, if you can lie on this issue, you are capable of misrepresenting facts on all issues. That's how you will be perceived.

You are correct that you will not get many calls for jobs in Bangalore if you opt for Hyderabad as your current location on portals. In my experience, you can certainly mark your location as Bangalore. Once you get a call, you must explain the genuine reason for shifting your base location and tell them that you can attend an interview in Bangalore on 24 hours' notice. You can also get a new SIM card for Bangalore and mention the same on your CV, as most consultants will hesitate to make a standard call to candidates. I think it would work. Furthermore, it's not about lying but making job portals work for you technically in changed circumstances, as all the information on your CV is genuine except the location.

Regards,
Vikas

Managing Job Location Information on Portals

It is not about providing fake information. Your current location will obviously be your present location, which is Hyderabad in your case. While you should keep your current location as Hyderabad on job portals, you can also choose the cities you are open to relocating to.

Kindly note, in the case of HR for junior and middle levels, preference is always given to local candidates.

You can mention on the portal that you are looking for a location in Bangalore. When a recruiter searches, your resume will automatically appear.

Regards,
Umakanta

Recruiters do not bother with candidates from other cities even if they want to relocate, unless it's a skill set not locally available. This is because of hassles in arranging interviews at short notice as well as perceived differences in expected salaries.

Let your location on the site say Bangalore. When someone calls you, tell them you are currently in Hyderabad as the company moved you there. The rest of the things that Vikas said are the best way to go.

Firstly, you are labeling information as "fake" yourself. You don't need to think in that way. Always be optimistic.

Secondly, there is no significant travel distance between Hyderabad and Bangalore. You can reach on short notice. No interviewer will call you on the same day to attend an interview, and even if he/she does, you can always buy time. Explain that you are currently in Hyderabad and will visit Bangalore in a couple of days.

If your qualifications match the job requirements, you will be given a pretty decent amount of time to make yourself available for an interview. I am based in Jeddah and receive calls from other cities in Saudi Arabia. I have never encountered any problems in mentioning my current location.

Good luck.

Regards,
Amjad Lala