Long Distance Job Hunting

If you’re open to the idea of relocating for a new job or if you’re specifically targeting another city or state, you definitely have your work cut out for you. A long distance job search requires much more than applying for jobs and waiting for call-backs—there’s plenty more to do to prepare for relocation.

Planning and Preparation

If you’re planning to move to a specific city, you’ll have plenty of preparation to do. The first step is learning as much as possible about the city, simply to make sure that’s really the place you want to live. You’ll also want to be sure you can afford to live there—cities vary widely in terms of cost of living. Finally, consider whether you’ll be able to afford to move if you don’t have a job lined up in advance.

The next step is to prepare a relocations strategy—decide when and how you’ll move, and how much time you have available for exploratory trips before you make the move. Ideally you should plan to make two separate trips—one for general details such as finding a place to live, and a second for interviews.

Conducting a Job Search

Make a list of potential employers—even those who aren’t publicly hiring—and start contacting them to ask about arranging interviews. Contact recruiters and use online resources as well as hunting down job advertisements. Even informational interviews will be useful at this stage, since they’ll help expand your network of contacts in your target city. If you’re relocating with a partner, consider tapping into their network, too.

When contacting employers, explain in your cover letter that you are relocating, and if possible give a date by which you will be living in your target area. Let employers know that you’re available for phone interviews—they’ll be more willing to consider you if they can contact you conveniently. Try to have as many interviews as possible scheduled for the dates you plan make an exploratory trip to the city. Check schedules for career fairs and other events, too, and if possible plan your trip to coincide with the dates.

If you Don’t Find a Job

If you near your planned relocation date and don’t have a job, consider temping as a short-term solution. Temping can be a great way of expanding your network, and may even lead to a full-time permanent position. However, avoid taking a lower-level permanent job if at all possible. It might seem like a good option in the short term, but in the long run you might be holding your career back.

Also, please review our Tools to Find a Job section.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.