I’ve landed a job out of state. I used a friend’s address on the résumé since I knew they wouldn’t consider me even though I did not expect relocation assistance. I’m planning on moving there before I start the job but is it legally OK to use my friend’s address for the HR paperwork in the meantime?
This isn’t a legal issue — you aren’t going to jail or receiving a summons for using your friend’s address when looking for a job. You aren’t wrong to assume that some employers view out-of-town applicants less favorably than local applicants, if they think hiring someone out of town might take longer to onboard.
Explain that you have a temporary local address and that you can start in a timely manner — just don’t try to mislead anyone that’s where you are living permanently because that’s easily discovered as not true, and not the way to start a relationship and build trust.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: [email protected]. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande