So you've decided to pick up your life and start fresh with a new job in a new city in a new state hundreds of miles away from your current job. Other than finding housing and packing up your life, how do you start looking for employment from afar?
Though with the rise of the Internet it's gotten progressively easier to apply for jobs and connect with out of state employers, there are still major challenges to job searching from afar. Challenges to consider include:
- Lack of contacts
- Essentially no opportunities to attend networking events
- Traveling for interviews
While it's difficult looking for a job no matter if it's where you live now or somewhere completely new, being prepared to tackle the additional difficulties of an out of state job search is essential to your success.
Here's a few tips to consider if you're going to be looking for a job out of state.
Research the new region.
If you're applying for jobs in a place you've never lived before nor visited, you should take some time and research the area. Find out where the good schools are, where the good neighborhoods are, where the crime rates are higher, etc. Before you commit to a job in a new place, you should at least know what you're getting into even if you haven't seen it firsthand.
Know what kind of job you're looking for.
As with any job search, think long and hard about the type of job you're looking for. Know what types of salary and benefits you're seeking before you go out job searching. Don't waste your time applying for jobs that don't match these traits.
Use your existing network.
The great thing about your network is that each person you know has a network of their own! Tell people in your network that you're looking for a job out of state. Maybe they know someone who knows someone who knows someone. You never know!
Be rational.
Be realistic about what it will cost to move. Some employers do not offer relocation assistance. Moving is expensive. Know what you're getting into before you sign on the dotted line.
Don't give up.
Any job search is tough, but searching for a job in a new place can be even tougher. Stay focused on your goal and take specific steps each week to achieve it. Eventually, you'll land a job you want in a new place you're excited to be in.
