Moving from IN to Chicago. Best temp agencies for "bridge" jobs?
Hey everyone,
I’m currently based in Indiana but my goal is to relocate to Chicago (my dream city) ASAP. My plan is to find a roommate situation to keep rent around $800–$1,200, and I just want to land a straightforward "bridge job" (office coordinator, admin support, entry-level project help) to secure a lease and get settled.
Here is my struggle: I have a Master’s degree and my background is in UX / digital project ops. To be honest, I’ve been struggling hard to get anything in UX. The market is brutal, it’s completely drained my mental health, tired of living with my parents a year after graduating, and I honestly don't want to try anymore. I am totally done with the tech/UX job hunt grind. I just want a stable, lower-stress 9-to-5 where I can do my work, leave it at the office, and enjoy living in the city. What should I do in terms of finding a job going forward while being able to move to Chicago?
My worry is also that recruiters will see my degree and tech background and immediately reject me as a flight risk for a $22–$28/hr office job or any retail/customer service job.
Has anyone successfully worked with local Chicago staffing agencies (like City Staffing, Larko, etc.) or got hired at a retail or customer oriented business while living out of state? And how do I format my resume or talk to recruiters so they don't think I'm "too qualified" for a basic coordinator role?
Appreciate any advice or agency recommendations!