Companies are often reluctant to hire people from different states, but there are some ways to increase your appeal and reduce the number of obstacles. Perhaps you plan to move to a specific location or have just broadened your job search to include more distant opportunities. Either way, this article will help you find potential jobs and guide you through the application process.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Find Out-of-State Jobs
Step 1. Pick one of three specific locations
Do your research and talk to other people in your field to narrow your search to areas where you are most likely to find a job. If you conduct a nationwide search, you will have less time to research each job and it will be difficult for you to demonstrate a serious desire to relocate to employers.
- If you already know the exact place you will be moving to, research other cities within a distance to get you to work.
- Try to estimate your odds realistically. Don't assume you'll be able to get a job in a competitive area if you have little work experience or don't have a requirement that many people in the field have, such as an advanced degree, especially before you move.
Step 2. Do a lot of research on the places
When you've limited the list to a few places, find out as much as you can about each one. You will avoid wasting time if you find out that you don't want to move there; Your knowledge of the area will show seriousness to a potential employer when you have an interview.
- Consider factors that are unrelated to your career, such as weather, house prices, and demographics. Research local schools if you have children.
- If you discover a dream job outside of the areas you were considering, try to conduct an objective investigation before skipping the opportunity to apply.
Step 3. Sign up for professional and local job mailing lists
Search online for mailing lists in the area you would like to move to. Sign up for national mailing lists for your profession, especially if there are many places you can move to.
Ask the owner of the mailing list if you can send a request for people familiar with the target area so they can communicate with you
Step 4. Network to find contacts in the area you are considering moving to
Ask your colleagues or business contacts if they know anyone there. Post on social media to see if your friends are familiar with the region or if they know someone who lives there. Socializing is one of the most important steps in finding a job, but getting a contact to recommend you a lot increases the likelihood that a company in another state will take you seriously.
- Expand your network of contacts as much as possible. Friends of a friend or distant relatives living in the target area will be happy to introduce you to their city and their contacts in your field.
- While it can be difficult to network out of state, you can always look for a headhunter who can draw on some of his own connections.
Step 5. Join professional associations and attend regional and national conferences that are relevant to your work
Join an association that has members from the area you are interested in moving to if your profession has such an association. Attend the annual conference or another meeting and talk to as many people as possible about your plans. Attend presentations and panels from people in the area you'd like to move to, and then ask them for some job search tips.
Between conferences, you can use your membership to connect with colleagues. Participate in a forum on the association's website or send an email to the association's staff to discuss your situation and ask for some contacts
Step 6. Find some online communities that are dedicated to your target area
Aside from participating in the professional association, you should look for websites dedicated to seeking careers in the places you are considering moving to. Use LinkedIn or a search engine to find groups that match your area and your interests well.
An active presence in the online community is a great way to find people to show you around the city when you visit or move there
Step 7. Contact employees of prospective companies
In addition to finding contacts through your personal relationships and online, reach out to companies in target areas. Find contact information for human resources staff on the company website or professional relationship websites, such as LinkedIn, and try to build a relationship with a few emails or have a few Skype conversations. Explain your plans to move to the area and how it would benefit the company.
- Try to find a personal email address and use the full name and title of its owner. If you can only find a generic Romanian resource email, politely ask for the HR manager's contact information.
- Structure your email like you would for a business letter. Stay formal and courteous. Give them at least a week to respond before sending a reminder email.
Step 8. Enlist the help of a career center counselor
Professional career counselors can guide you in your job search. Many universities have this type of center, some of these advise non-students.
Part 2 of 3: Applying for an Out-of-State Job
Step 1. Consider finding a local work address and phone number
You should never lie to an employer about your location, but you can show that you have already prepared to move by acquiring local contact information in advance.
- Ask your friends in the area if you can use one of their addresses or purchase a mailbox service with an automatic delivery to your home address. On your resume, add the following to your home address, state: "Relocation to ___."
- Sign up for a Google Voice number or a Skype number with the area code of your target area. Plus, this will save you money on long distance phone calls.
Step 2. Follow good resume practices
Obviously this is an extremely important step for a job application. Keep your resume neat and well-formatted, and follow the exact instructions that the company provides. Being a candidate who lives far away is already a point against; don't make one slip and create another.
Always be honest and straightforward about your relocation plans. If possible, explain that you have a network of contacts in the area and let your employer know if you need a relocation package. Employers are interested in candidates who can handle a life change in addition to a new position in a new area
Step 3. Begin your cover letter by discussing your relocation
Be frank with potential employers about your remoteness, but include some detailed reasons for moving so that you convince them that you are a serious candidate.
- If you've already done some steps to get started, like getting a local phone number, you can truly say "I've begun the transition from my move to your area."
- Mention some relationships you have with the area, such as family members or previous work experience in that region. Indicate that you are moving to stay with your partner if so.
Step 4. Suggest the earliest start date you can promise
A company is likely to hire an equivalent candidate, who can start work right away, if you don't plan to move to the area for another three months. Plan your potential move in advance so that you know exactly when you can relocate.
If you have a family member or friend in the area, consider staying at their house until you can find a place of your own to make the transition easier
Step 5. Emphasize your skills when you move into a competitive area
The home cities for your industry may have many job opportunities, but they are likely to be inundated with candidates. You must emphasize your specialized skills that other candidates do not have to convince an employer to hire you above twenty skilled workers from the locality.
Step 6. Emphasize work experience when you move to a less competitive area
Emphasize your experience on your resume and in a conversation with potential employers if you previously had a job in a big city or a central industry. Work experience in large cities is often seen as more competitive and more prestigious; it may be enough to outweigh the hassle of considering a distant candidate.
Step 7. Offer to pay travel expenses for an in-person interview
Pay for your own trip to the area and attend the interview in person if possible. This removes an obstacle for the company and demonstrates the initiative to facilitate relocation.
- If possible, take time out of your current job so that you can schedule several interviews in the area where you plan to move to reduce travel costs.
- Try to set aside time for a longer visit to give yourself time to explore the area before the interview. First-hand experience with the area will make you more knowledgeable and give you time to adjust so that you can conduct the interview without fear of time imbalance caused by travel or travel sickness.
Step 8. Treat the long distance interview seriously if you cannot arrange an in-person interview
You will likely be interviewed over the phone or through a video chat service, such as Skype, if traveling for an interview is impossible. Just because you can attend this interview from your room doesn't mean you shouldn't push yourself. Prepare answers to likely questions ahead of time, dress up for a video interview, and prepare a few minutes before the scheduled interview.
Decide in advance where you would like to interview. Choose a quiet place with no passersby and find a background that is clean and professional. A simple wall will suffice
Step 9. Make yourself comfortable with the company as much as possible when discussing relocation before you are hired
It stipulates that you can afford the expenses of your relocation or a part of these if so, since this is a significant benefit for the company. At the very least, you should research a home in advance. Even if you can't afford the move without help, you can show the effort you put in by appearing to be knowledgeable about the neighborhoods and home prices.
- Ask the human resources department if they have a standard relocation package. If you know someone who recently moved to work for that company or a similar company, ask them what relocation offer they received. You will know what to suggest to make your offer more attractive if you know what the typical offer is.
- Present relocation assistance in a way that benefits the company and you. For example, it suggests that you can start work earlier if the company finds a moving company or helps with finding a home.
- Read the relocation package printout when you get an offer. Some of the relocation assistance may be taxable; the company may have the ability to demand a refund if you quit your job within a certain time.
Step 10. Save money first and move if you can't get a job
A company may still prefer the simplicity of hiring a local candidate, even after taking all steps to increase your odds. When you've saved six months or more for living expenses, go and move to a place with good job prospects and other attractive attributes.
- Creating and following a budget is essential to saving money.
- Stop using credit cards and don't withdraw more cash than your budget allows each week. Typically, people spent much less when they had to keep track of the physical money in their hands.
- Paying off your debts can be more effective than putting money in a savings account, although it will depend on interest rates.
Part 3 of 3: Prepare to Proceed
Step 1. Plan ahead for your move
Create a schedule for each step of the process to give yourself plenty of time to absorb unexpected delays. Stick to deadlines to plan trip details, find a moving company, pack, and travel. Research how much the move will cost, know the terms of your old rental agreement if you have one, and find friends or workers to help you with furniture and other bulky items.
- Begin the process of selling your home as soon as you can. This can be a long process that you will have to go through after moving out.
- Learn how to move in with your pet. Moving in with an animal requires extra effort and care. Read the linked articles as soon as possible so that you have time to prepare.
Step 2. Pack your belongings
You may find more of your stuff than you bargained for, so don't put off packing for last. Donate or sell anything you don't want to take with you so you're not stuck filling the moving truck with too many things.
- Give away unwanted clothes, toys, books, and movies to thrift stores and charities.
- Host a yard sale or yard sale to get rid of sundries and small furniture.
- Post on Craigslist or similar websites about selling or giving away furniture that you will leave behind.
Step 3. Notify your current employer and landlord.
You should notify your employer in advance that you will be leaving if you currently have a job. Your employment contract may specify a minimum period of prior notification. Otherwise, two weeks is traditionally the minimum. If you rent a home, let the landlord know that you will end the lease early (or that you will not renew it).
- Don't spoil the possibility of having a dialogue by surprising your boss with the news. The longer you give notice, the easier it will be for your employer to make up for lost work. Too little notice can make this person upset and lower your likelihood of a good referral for future jobs.
- Give your landlord advance notice to schedule a property inspection. Please clean it after packing to receive your security deposit or cleaning deposit.
- Read the rental agreement so you know about the early termination fees. You can convince the company that will be hiring you to pay the cost of the relocation package if you haven't already agreed to it with your next employer.
Advice
- Always be professional and punctual.
- Start saving money early for a backup plan.
Warnings
- Be prepared to support with documentation or references what you state in your resume.
- Try not to get frustrated when you are rejected. Move on to another job opportunity and try again.