Are you looking to get a job in another state? It can be challenging to land a job prior to moving. We compiled tips from experts and employers to find out how to move to another state and find a job.
If you're looking to get your resume updated before moving and applying to jobs, we recommend using TopResume**.** TopResume offers a free resume review to get you started!
Top Tips for Getting a Job in Another State
- Make sure your resume and cover letter are updated. If you need help, we recommend using a resume writing service.
- Check out ZipRecruiter first to see what jobs are available in your new location.
- Build networks online where you want to relocate.
- While visiting, join groups and watch for events.
- Don’t use your current address when applying for jobs in the state you want to move to.
- Target employers you want to work for.
- Find alumni in the city you want to move to.
- Use your cover letter to explain significant details.
- Research the job market and cost of living.
Thinking about moving to another state but need to find a job first? Well, we did too so we tapped our network and came up with these fifteen tips to help your job search from a distance.
15 Practical Tips To Find A Job In Another State
1. UTILIZE NETWORKING PLATFORMS
Use sites like LinkedIn to build networks in the city you are looking to relocate. Specifically, reach out to the people in the companies and field that you are targeting for employment.
2. FIND AND ATTEND COMMUNITY EVENTS
If you already travel to the location you desire to move to, join groups on sites like Meetup or Eventbrite to watch for events that are happening when you are in town. This gives you a great opportunity to meet and engage with new people. You never know who may be looking to hire!
3. OBTAIN A LOCAL ADDRESS
When applying for jobs, either leave your address off of your resume or obtain a local address. Obtaining a local address is as simple as getting a commercial mailbox. If you choose to do this at the post office, make sure to opt for a package that gives you a physical street address, not just a PO box.
4. RESEARCH THE LOCAL JOB MARKET
Join The Break Community
Spend time researching the local job market. The Chambers of Commerce and the state or city's Office of Economic Development can help with this research. It is easier to get a job into a hot local industry, such as high tech in the Denver metro area.
5. FOCUS ON STRATEGIC NETWORKING
Spend time and energy focusing on strategic networking. Join groups on LinkedIn that are large and locally-based. For example, the LinkedIn Denver group has over 30,000 members. This will automatically increase the number of Group-level connections, which makes it easier to reach out to people on LinkedIn - even with a free account. Next, they should join Groups that are specific to their area of expertise, as well as being located in the desired city.
6. SET-UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Create a list of target employers within the desired location. From there, try to set up informational interviews with managers. Setting up information interviews gets you in the door and in front of managers. Thanks to remote tools, you could even conduct an informational interview remotely.
7. UTILIZE YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CONNECTIONS
Make sure you have joined your college or grad school alumni association LinkedIn group, Facebook group, or any other options. Look through the members for people who graduated from your institution but now live in the city/state you wish to move to. These are people who will likely give you a break.
8. NOTE IN YOUR COVER LETTER THAT YOU WILL PAY RELOCATION FEES
Make it clear in your cover letters that you will pay for your own relocation and can pay for travel to the company for an interview. Companies often tell recruiters that they will only consider employees who are relocating if someone local isn’t available. That is a big incentive not to admit defeat! Relocation costs for an executive with a family and a mortgage can easily exceed $75K.
9. UPDATE YOUR RESUME
Make sure your resume is up-to-date and has your latest work experience. Also, make sure that your resume is ATS-friendly so that it actually lands in the hands of a hiring manager. If you need help getting your resume updated, our team has researched the best resume writing services.
10. SHARE SPECIFIC DATES YOU WILL BE IN TOWN
In your cover letter, mentioning that you'd come at your own expense may help but better yet, give them a date that you'll be in town. This way, the company doesn't have to be beholden to you. In fact, they may want to take advantage of the fact that you're going to be nearby. Don't just offer to pay your own way, but additionally, say you plan to be there sometime in the next two or three weeks and would like to coordinate an interview while in town. Then if they respond, you plan your trip around that interview.
Naturally, since you're coming to town, you tell all the other desirable companies in the area that you're going to be there and ask for an in-person interview while you're in town.
11. RESEARCH LIVING COSTS AND SALARIES IN YOUR DESIRED STATE
Have a thorough understanding of relative cost-of-living and salaries. A marketing manager may make $12K more or less per year in your target state than they do where you currently work; and the cost of rent, a movie, or a meal out may also vary greatly. You need this information in order to find appropriate jobs in the first place, and also to properly negotiate salary and total compensation when the time comes.
12. UNDERSTAND TAX LIABILITY IN YOUR NEW STATE
Understand your tax liability in the new state: Similarly, you need to understand your target state's tax rate and code. For example, there’s a big difference between living and working in NYC and moving four miles west to Hoboken, NJ, and commuting in for work. Understanding these types of details can make a notable difference in your take-home pay.
13. APPLY FOR A TEMP POSITION
Temporary positions can be a great way to make professional connections in your new state. Starting here and getting your foot in the door may be a great option for you!
To find temporary positions, check out our guide to the top job posting sites.
14. BATCH YOUR INTERVIEWS
Once you land an interview, do your best to schedule other interviews on the same day. This way, you are already in town and don’t have to travel again for additional interviews.
15. EMPHASIZE YOU ARE MOVING
When writing your cover letter, explain that you ARE moving to Rhode Island...not that you WOULD move there if offered the position. By making it clear that you're going to The Ocean State independent of the job, there's a greater chance that you'll actually accept an offer were it made. Employers often waste their time and resources interviewing candidates who say they will move, but then don't.
Bottom Line
Though it can be challenging to land a job out of state, it is not impossible. Using these tips will help you get a let up on your competition and land a job out of state. If you need help polishing your resume to help you land a job in another state, our friends at TopResume offer a free resume review!
