By J.T.O’Donnell, Founder and CEO, WorkItDaily.com
Inc., May 29, 2018 —
Here’s why it’s next to impossible to get a job in another city, state, or country today.
Finding a job is no easy task. Yet, finding a job in another city, state, or even country is far worse! Why? You aren’t physically there to be available to go on interviews, attend networking events, or set up one-on-one meetings with people who can help you get your foot in the door. And, when you apply online and a hiring managers sees you don’t live nearby, your resume is much more likely to be tossed in the “no” pile, since most companies no longer pay for relocation costs. So, what can you do when you want to move someplace new, but need a job to get you there?
Failure to commit to the move is the biggest mistake you can make.
The No. 1 reason why you can’t get employers to consider you for a job in another location is the lack of commitment you convey in your quest to relocate. They employer has to know you plan to be relocated by a certain date, and you need to prove it to them via your actions. Otherwise, they just say, “contact us when you get here,” because in their minds, who knows when you’ll finally make the move? Moreover, conveying your commitment to moving is difficult to do via an online application. That’s why you will get ignored 99 percent of the time.
Step 1: Choose one location & announce your arrival date.
Get clear about the one place you intend to move to. Saying you are considering multiple locations shows a lack of commitment. Then, choose a date 3 to 6 months out and make it the “there by” date for your move. It’s okay if you end up pushing this back. The most important thing is that you convey to your network and employers you plan to move to the location no matter what in the near future so they’ll pay attention to your job search. If they know you’re taking care of the moving expenses yourself, they’ll be more likely to take your candidacy seriously.
P.S. – There’s more to long distance job search than committing to it.
The job search process to find a job in another location has a few more steps to it than a traditional job search. Knowing how to target employers and expedite the networking process with existing employees will help you find work faster. Otherwise, if you rely solely on applying online, you will likely not get any interviews or land a position. In which case, you’ll be forced to move there and start the job search over, requiring you to save up a lot of money to cover your living expenses while you look for work. Today, job search is all about establishing the connection with the hiring manager – your network is your net worth. Thus, learning to build a network remotely is key!
