In today’s digital world, long distance job searches are more feasible than ever. With the rise of remote work and video interviewing, your job search no longer needs to be limited by geography. However, conducting a successful long distance job search does require strategy, diligence and creativity.
Why do a long distance job search?
There are many reasons you may need or want to conduct a long distance job search:
– You want to relocate to a new city or state. A long distance search expands your options.
– You or your partner have been relocated, so you need to find work in your new location.
– You have the flexibility to live and work anywhere, so you are not limiting yourself to opportunities in your current city.
– You have a niche skillset that is in high demand somewhere else.
– You want to return to your hometown or live nearer to family.
– You are early in your career and willing to relocate for the right opportunity.
Whatever the reason, a long distance job search opens up more potential opportunities nationwide. With the right strategy, you can overcome the challenges of distance.
Challenges of a long distance job search
While a long distance search has benefits, it also comes with unique challenges:
– You are not local, so you may not get call backs or interviews as easily as local candidates. Hiring managers may default to candidates who are geographically closer.
– It can be expensive and time consuming to travel for multiple in-person interviews.
– Relocating for a new job comes with financial costs and logistical challenges.
– It can be harder to network and make connections if you do not live in the target location.
– Competition may be steeper if you are applying for jobs in a big metro area.
– Time zone differences can complicate scheduling interviews and communications.
However, there are strategies you can use to overcome each of these obstacles. With planning and effort, you can access opportunities nationwide.
Research target locations and industries
First, spend time identifying your target locations and industries. Factors to research:
– Job growth: Look for metro areas with strong employment growth and opportunities in your field. Sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LinkedIn provide data on hot job markets.
– Cost of living: Make sure the salary range for your profession aligns with the local cost of living. Use a cost of living calculator.
– Tax and labor laws: Understand how things like state income tax and overtime exemptions differ in other parts of the country.
– Culture and lifestyle: Get a feel for what it would be like to live in each location day-to-day. Prioritize places that seem like a good personal fit.
– Professional networks: Search sites like LinkedIn to see where your industry peers and contacts are concentrated. Leverage existing connections.
– Industry hub: For certain sectors like tech or finance, target major metro hubs where that industry is centralized.
Update your resume
Tailor your resume for each application:
– Objectives: Tweak your resume objective to state you are seeking roles in that metro area specifically.
– Contact info: Provide your current out-of-state contact info as well as a local address if you have one. Relatives’ addresses work.
– Experience: Cater your resume keywords to that industry and location. Emphasize relevant skills.
– Portfolio: If relevant, highlight work samples or clients in that area.
Also, optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems by mirroring keywords from the job postings. This helps surface your resume in searches.
Search online job boards and company sites
Cast a wide net in your search process:
– National job sites: Leverage big aggregators like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter and Monster. Use location filters.
– Local job sites: Search sites specific to your target metro area.
– Company sites: Identify top employers in the industry and regularly visit their careers page.
– Associations: Check job boards run by professional associations in your field.
– Alumni networks: Schools often let alumni access job postings through alumni networks.
– Personal network: Ask everyone in your network to keep an eye out for opportunities in your target cities.
Leverage your existing network
Networking is key for a long distance search. Tactics include:
– Reach out to alumni who live in your target locations to set up informational interviews about the local job market. Ask for referrals.
– Attend industry conferences and events in cities you are targeting. Network in person when possible.
– Search LinkedIn to connect with former colleagues, classmates or other contacts in your target cities.
– Leverage 2nd degree connections on LinkedIn. See if existing contacts can make local introductions for you.
– Join relevant professional associations, social organizations or networking groups based in the cities applying to. Attend local meetups when possible.
– Follow key companies and hiring managers on social media. Like and comment on posts to get on their radar.
Apply to online postings early and often
You need a high volume approach:
– Set up job alert notifications so you see new postings immediately. Apply to new roles within 24 hours.
– Spend time each morning and evening on your search, customizing resumes and cover letters. Treat it like a full time job.
– Follow up within a week if you do not hear back on applications. Be politely persistent.
– Track all your applications and networking contacts in a spreadsheet to stay organized. Follow up methodically.
– Apply both to posted openings and more broadly to companies that interest you, even without current openings.
Leverage recruiters and staffing agencies
Work with recruiters who specialize in your function and locations:
– Identify staffing and recruiting firms that place candidates in your target role and city and reach out.
– If you secured interviews through a recruiter, ask them for advice on conveying your relocation plans.
– Post your resume to niche recruiter job boards and LinkedIn to surface new opportunities.
– For executive roles, hire a headhunter with strong local connections. Paying for placement services can secure interviews.
– Develop relationships with multiple recruiters over time. Stay in regular touch on your search progress.
Consider temporary, contract or freelance roles
Taking on project-based work in a target city can help you network and transition to full-time work:
– Register with staffing firms that place freelance and contract talent. Take on local assignments.
– Search sites like FlexJobs, Upwork and Fiverr for telecommuting gigs with companies or teams located in your target cities.
– Message leaders on LinkedIn about taking on consulting projects for their company. Offer your expertise.
– Attend industry events and promote your services. Collect business cards and follow up with contracting leads.
– If travel is feasible, spend a week or two working out of a co-working space in your target city to network and meet clients.
Ace the remote interview
With distance interviews, first impressions matter even more. Strategies include:
– Use a quiet, distraction-free, neat space with a professional background for video calls. Eliminate interruptions.
– Have great lighting. Invest in a ring light if needed. Look directly at the camera. Dress professionally.
– Do several practice calls with friends first to test your system. Make sure audio and video are working properly.
– Convey energy and enthusiasm with your voice, facial expressions and posture. Smile and make eye contact with the camera.
– Prepare stories that provide specific examples of skills needed for the role. Quantify past achievements.
– Research the company and hiring manager. Personalize your responses with their priorities in mind.
– Have good answers prepared for questions about your willingness to relocate and your ties to the new location. Be specific on timing, logistics, costs etc.
– Follow up with a thank you email highlighting why you are still excited about the role and committed to relocating if selected.
Time onsite visits strategically
You will need to travel for final rounds and onboarding. Tactics include:
– Push for onsite visits to be condensed into as few trips as possible to reduce costs. Aim for back-to-back final interviews.
– Inquire if the company can cover a portion of travel costs for in-person interviews.
– Schedule onsite visits close to when you would need to relocate, so you can coordinate housing searches and movers.
– Extend trips to allow enough time to evaluate neighborhoods and make moving plans.
– If you have a flexible schedule, consider traveling to the area for a week or two as a “test run” while interviewing to experience living there.
– Schedule interviews during off-peak travel dates when fares may be lower.
– Use reward points from credit cards to cover flights and hotels.
Line up localreferences
Getting referrals from people in the area carries weight:
– Ask old managers or coworkers who have relocated to the city if you can list them as a local reference.
– See if you have any contacts through alumni networks, professional associations or social ties that are based in the cities. Ask if they can serve as a reference.
– Once you visit an area, follow up with people you networked with to see if they are willing to recommend you.
– If needed, use former colleagues or managers that are at least familiar with your target cities as references.
Be ready to negotiate relocation
Secure support for your move in the negotiation process:
– Research typical relocation packages in your industry. Know your worth and negotiate. Aim for at least $5-10k in relocation assistance if possible.
– Negotiate a flexible start date so you have time to complete your move. Ask to onboard remotely for the first 1-2 weeks while you relocate.
– Inquire about short-term corporate housing for your first 1-2 months if needed.
– Request time off after starting to finalize your move, address personal matters or have your household goods shipped.
– Negotiate temporary remote work until you settle in, especially if moving overseas. Gradually ramp up onsite time.
– If the company won’t cover relocation, ask for a sign-on bonus that can be used towards your move.
Make a relocation budget and checklist
Carefully evaluate the full costs of relocating:
– Research specific moving costs for your city pair through moving brokers. Obtain estimates.
– Factor in lease termination fees, utility transfers, deposits for new housing, storage fees, car shipping, etc.
– Understand tax implications if moving overseas or across state lines.
– Budget for 1-2 house hunting trips plus temporary housing when you first arrive.
– Build in a cushion for unforeseen expenses that always come up during moves.
– Make a detailed checklist mapping out the logistics: giving notice, packing, changing your address, transferring records, canceling services, etc.
Line up housing in advance
Having lodging secured makes the transition easier:
– Search rental listings online for your target neighborhoods weeks or months before moving.
– Hire a broker to represent you in your housing search. Paying a broker fee can be worthwhile in competitive markets.
– Contact leasing agents directly about units coming available in your timeframe. Stay persistent.
– Book extended stay lodging or corporate housing for your first 1-2 months to allow time to search.
– Ask your new employer about relocation services they recommend for help finding rentals or realtors.
– Schedule in-person house or apartment hunting trips if possible. Aim to lease a place before your move dates.
– Consider taking over a soon-to-expire lease from someone relocating out of your new city as a short term option.
Conclusion
Conducting a successful long distance job search requires effort and persistence, but it can open up opportunities nationwide. Define your target locations and industries, market yourself strategically, utilize your networks, prepare for remote interviews, and line up local resources. With the right game plan, you can land an ideal job – even from a thousand miles away.