How to Find a New Job in a New State
Making a big career change can be intimidating, but it’s not impossible. If you’re considering moving and you need to find a job in another state, there are a few things that you can do to make the transition smoother and to give companies a solid reason to add you to their professional network. With some extra effort, you’ll be able to impress your hiring manager and land the perfect job in your new location in no time!
Is it Hard to Get a Job Out of State?
If you are relocating, don’t assume that this means the end of your career. Check with your current employer about working remotely and see what options they offer for employees who want to move far away from their office space!
Approximately 43% of employees work remotely, at least part-time. So, you may have the opportunity to take your job with you even if you’re preparing to move to a new state or city.
While it may be slightly more difficult to find a job in a new state if you don’t have any connections, it’s definitely not impossible. Utilize job search engines and social media to connect with companies and recruiters in your desired area.
You can also look into temporary housing options like Airbnb or VRBO to make your transition easier while you’re searching for long-term housing options. Most employers will cover travel expenses or relocation costs once you’ve completed the interview process and accepted the job offer. So, if you’re upfront about needing assistance with moving, you may find that your new employer is open to helping out with your move to a new state.
Here are some helpful tips for how to effectively find a job in another state:
Research the Job Market
Take some time to research the job market in your new state. Figure out what types of jobs are available in the city you’re moving to, and target your job search accordingly. What industries are booming? What companies are hiring? Knowing this information will help you focus your job search and choose the right jobs to apply for.
Create a Great Resume & Cover Letter
Update your resume and cover letter to reflect your qualifications for the types of jobs and position that you’re interested in. If you don’t have much experience in the field you’re targeting, consider taking some courses or volunteering to gain some relevant experience that will impress companies. Need some inspiration or advice on how to craft the best resume and cover letter? We’ve got you covered. Read through our blog article on How to Write a Good Resume and Cover Letter and let the creative juices start flowing.
Be Honest with Your Hiring Manager
Deceiving hiring managers and potential employers about your current local address or location can have serious consequences, so it’s best not to be deceptive about your local address or current address on LinkedIn or Google Voice, no matter how tempting it might be. For example, don’t say you live in San Diego when you actually live in San Antonio, unless of course you already have a move date set in stone.
It is in your best interest to be upfront in this circumstance, so be sure to mention your move in your cover letter that you’re not a local candidate but will be. This is a great way to make sure that no hiring manager feels deceived or frustrated.
Prepare an Explanation for Your Relocation
Be honest about your reasons for relocating in your cover letter, resume, and interviews. Many employers are willing to invest in candidates who are looking to relocate to a new city for the long term, but it’s important to be transparent about your intentions. If you’re only looking for a job in another state because you couldn’t find anything for local candidates, be honest about that as well!
According to the U.S. Census Bureau the top reasons for moving include:
– Attending College
– Change in marital status
– Cheaper home or rental prices
– Easier commute times
– Establishing own household
– Looking for new jobs
– New company or transferring to a new location
– Other family reasons
Your Opening Statement
Objectives speak to why you want the job. They are one sentence statements in the first paragraph of your resume that briefly describe your personal interests and should highlight what’s important for this company, so they can decide if it is worth their time in meeting with you more thoroughly.
You can read more about how to create the perfect resume and cover letter to catch the eye of potential employers on our blog. It’s full of our top tips on how to land the perfect job at the company of your choice.
How do I move to another state without a job?
If you’re unable to connect with hiring managers and find a job before your move date, you can also look for a temp position / temporary positions, or even seasonal jobs.
Networking is Key to Job Hunting
Don’t forget about the power of networking! Even if you’re not in the same state as your target employer, there’s a good chance that someone you know or went to college with knows someone who works at that company or even the specific location you’re trying to work at. So reach out to your family, friends, and acquaintances – you never know who might be able to help connect you with your dream job.
Don’t forget that once you’ve landed in our desired location, to start networking like crazy! Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and reach out to any contacts you may have in your new city. The more people you know, the easier it will be to find a job that’s a good fit for you.
What Type of Position?
Before accepting any job offers, you’ll need to decide if you’re wanting to apply for an in person job in the local area or if you would prefer to work remotely from your current location for prospective employers. If you choose to work remotely, you may find that you have a few options available to you – you can also choose to get a job with multiple companies in your target state.
Take Advantage of Online Resources
Finding Careers has plenty of new job opportunities being posted every single day! We also have plenty of blog articles devoted to helping job seekers create a great resume and cover letter, use discretion with their current employer, nail their interviews with potential employers, and more – so use them to your advantage!
Create a free account today and get started on your job hunt the right way!
Online or In-Person Interview?
Creating professional connections with people in your professional network and using virtual meetings can be two great ways to research new jobs and land an interview for the ideal job at your next address and city. If you’ve done your research and are confident that a company is a right fit for you, don’t let distance stop you from completing a job application with them!
You can easily schedule interviews using video conferencing software to hold your Zoom or Skype interview if you’re not at your new address yet. Many candidates also choose to break the ice with a simple phone interview when looking for a job in another state. As long as you explain your situation and have a specific date in mind to move to the new city, employers in other locations are usually understanding.
Most employers and hiring managers understand that with the current state of the job market, candidates may not be able to hold an in-person interview and are open to conducting initial interviews virtually and additional interviews in person at a later date.
Stay Optimistic During Your Job Search
Most important of all, you want to keep an open mind and stay positive while you’re looking for a job in another state. Potential employers rarely interview and hire in the same day. So don’t get disgruntled if you don’t get the job offer the same day as their interview. It may take a few days or weeks to hear back from an employer after interviews, but don’t give up hope.
The job market is constantly changing and new job opportunities are always opening up! Be sure to check in at Finding Careers to see what recent job opportunities are available near your new address.
Get the Position You Want in a New Location!
By following these tips, you should be well on your way to securing employment at a new job in a new city or location. Just remember to do your research on your new location and new company, create a resume and cover letter that will impress prospective employers, schedule interviews in a way that’s convenient, and network, network, network!
Looking for more career advice? Check out our blog for more helpful articles like this one. We wish you the best of luck as you embark on this new adventure and take your career to the next level!