For all those IMLP’ers and anyone else interested in the process behind relocating for their rotations through GE and NBC Universal, you may want to read what I have posted below.
I will be moving from my “natural habitat” (aka New York) to Los Angeles for my first two rotations in the program. I recently flew to LA to locate an apartment, and I thought I might share some of my experiences and some tips.
- Book your flights early. This goes for anyone, not just those flying across the country. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Saving money is always a plus. Also, Jetblue and Virgin America seem to have some of the best deals. I personally enjoy Jetblue’s services, but that’s just me.
- Bring Information. Have as much information regarding your credit history and previous residences as possible available when apartment hunting. Most places today require a credit check before you're even eligible to be considered as a tenant. If you’re like me and you went out to your location earlier, you may need a letter from your human resources manager stating your hire and start dates to confirm that you have a job
- Do some research. Talking to people and looking on Craigslist and Google Maps for locations gave me a pretty basic understanding of what kind of prices I would be looking at and how long of a commute it would be to work, way before I got there. I seriously don’t recommend going in blind.
- Bring a Camera. After looking at 4 or 5 different apartments they all began to sort of blur together. If it wasn’t for the pictures I took, wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart.
- Bring someone. I can’t tell you how much a second opinion helped me when apartment hunting. Small things tend to slip your mind when you’ve been looking at apartments for 2 days straight, and having someone there to keep you on track and tell you what they think is a godsend.
- ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. Ask about discounts on rent. Ask about security deposits, about parking, about utilities, etc… If they don’t answer then there’s probably something wrong.
I was given a lot of helpful hints and tips from my IMLP Buddy, and they are always there if you need to ask questions, because they have already gone through what you're probably about to do. And just as a side note: just because I went apartment hunting weeks before my move date doesn’t mean you have to as well. It only takes about 2 or 3 days of solid hunting to find a nice place - so don’t fret, if you can’t go early, you’ll be fine.
Posted by: Matt Bellezza, NBC IMLP
October 21, 2009
Many wonder what it is we IMLP's actually do on program each rotation. And in light of that curiosity, I'd like to share some top secret information regarding what I currently do at NBCU for my first rotation.