Months before graduation, I was set on moving to New York City. It was the place to be for the industry I hoped to get into. But being a small-town Iowa girl, come graduation, I chickened out. I had no idea what to do or where to go. My roomate came to me one day and suggested we move to Chicago. So we did.
My parents found the idea less than thrilling and rightfully so. I was moving somewhere where my cost of living would triple and with no job, I had no idea how I would support myself financially. But, while it's easier to find a job when you're already living in an area, long distance job searches are doable. Just use these tips before you make the big move:
Research
As with any job hunt, research is the key to success, but even more so with long distance job searches. You’ll need to research your target location. A small town may not be a haven of low-cost, crime-free living and a big city may have few opportunities in your chosen field, Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. writes in her book, Making the Big Move.
CB Campus and Careerbuilder.com can help you find jobs in almost any location in the United States. You can also try reading the business section of local newspapers in the area you're moving to; this will give you an idea of the job market in your desired location.
Networking
Ever heard the old mantra, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know?” It couldn’t be truer.
Tell friends, family and colleagues about your plans to relocate and ask them for contacts in the area. Then, make a list of potential employers (this will also help jump-start your social life). Facebook and MySpace are also great resources to find friends living and working in the city you are moving to. Everyone always knows someone, and even though you might feel awkward or pushy contacting them, it’s always worth a try.
Knowing someone who lives in your featured destination will also be a key factor in my next tip...
Cover Letter and Resume
Employers can be turned off by out-of-state applicants, so ask a friend or relative living in your target city if you can use their address on your cover letter and resume. Or, if you've already secured a house or apartment in your new city, use that instead of your current address.
If you're lacking friends in your target town (don't feel bad - I was too), make sure to include a specific date you might be in the area to interview. For example, I used the dates I would be in town apartment-hunting and was able to set up two interviews during that time frame. It's also useful to include a moving date so employer is compelled to take you seriously.
Good luck!
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