Need some help from experienced shoppers. Before I sign up with a MSC is there a way to know WHERE they have clients? Signed up with 2 companies that don't do shops in my home state. Discovered that when I hit the job board. Any ideas for me? Thanks!

You can look at websites like Jobslinger to see jobs near you. That will show you companies that do have jobs in your area. The thing is, the contracts change all the time. A company I hadn't worked with for several years recently had a job I was interested in. So it's really necessary to sign up with many more companies than you may actualy work for.

What you see on the job board may be what's left at the end of the month. One has to keep checking job boards to see what is posted and when

Hi, labmom! Like Threemom said, there are several third-party websites/boards that you can check to give you an idea of what is currently posted in your area. Here are some good places to start:
-[insta.prestometrics.com]
-www.mspa-na.org/ (they have an opportunity board, but you have to register with them to see it; basic membership is free)
-[jobs.volition.com]
-www.jobslinger.com

However, there are some caveats.

As prince said, you will have to check throughout the month to really get an idea of what is currently being posted in your area. Different companies post their jobs and different times of the month. Many post at the start of the month, but I know of at least one offhand that posts on the second Friday of every month. Shops can go quickly, so it's a good idea to check the boards regularly and sign up with companies as you see them.

In addition, as Threemom said, new clients suddenly pop up (and go away) all of the time! We're a very fluid industry. You never know what's around the corner. That said, you have to start somewhere, so the above websites are as good a place as any. However, once you've exhausted the companies that you find with job postings in your area, I would suggest that you set aside a little bit of time each week to sign up with other companies. If you sign up with 5 a week, eventually you will get through the list!

Gook luck, and happy shopping!

Hey, thanks all. You helped! Will be checking the sites and seeing what's out there.