How To Conduct A Long-Distance Job Search

Dear Liz,

I am launching a stealth job search this month. My fiance and I are moving out of state when he finishes school this May.

I have never conducted a long-distance job search before. Should I leave my current city and state on my resume? How will I handle it if somebody wants to interview me?

Should I ask for relocation assistance, or is that too much to ask of employers on top of considering a non-local candidate?

Thanks Liz!

Yours,

Abby

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Dear Abby,

What exciting news! A long-distance job search has some complications that a local job search doesn't have, but you are more than up to the challenge!

The first thing you will need to get across to  hiring managers in your Pain Letters is your reason for choosing your destination city or region. You must tell them why you're moving to their area, and it has to be a good reason.

If you and/or your fiance grew up in the area you're planning to move to, say so in your Pain Letter.

Hiring managers worry about non-local candidates for several reasons.

A big one is that if you've never lived in the region before and they hire you but you end up not liking the area, they may feel they wasted their time hiring you. That's why your reason for choosing your destination city is a big part of your message.

(What are some of the other concerns managers have about out-of-town candidates? The trouble and expense of interviewing them is one concern, and another is the possibility of distractions -- finding an apartment, etc. -- for the new employee upon arrival.)

You don't need to change the city and state on your Human-Voiced Resume because your hiring manager will see the return address on your envelope anyway, but if you have a local friend in your destination city you could use his or her address as a temporary mailing address, or even get a P.O. box in your destination city as long as you can get them to notify you when you have mail.

As a non-local candidate you will need to study your target employers carefully in order to get close to each of your hiring managers' Business Pain points in your Pain Letters. It is an extra effort to consider an out-of-town candidate, so you have to be especially on your game!

Some employers will fly you out for an interview but most will not. They can interview you over the phone and/or via Skype but you should plan on at least one trip to your destination city at your own expense.

If a headhunter had reached out to you about an out-of-town job opportunity or if an employer had reached out to you, then it would be their responsibility to cover your interview-related travel expenses.

Some people only start their job hunts once they have landed in their new city, in order to avoid these complications. That's a good plan if you have enough money saved that you won't need your income right away when you hit the ground.

As for relocation expenses, that is a negotiable item. Check on the cost of living in your chosen destination so that you understand any differences in the cost of living between your current region and the one you're moving to.

Lots of companies give new college grads a small, fixed sum for relocation expenses and advise them to rent a truck and haul their belongings to their new home.

On the other end of the spectrum, executive relocation packages can include the purchase of your home by a third-party firm (relieving you of your old mortgage), the kid-glove physical transportation of your belongings including your car(s) and boat(s), three or six months of short-term lodging while you scout the area for a property to purchase, and other expenses.

Once they decide you represent the answer to their problem, you can negotiate with your next employer like any first-choice candidate would.

Your first move is to update your Human-Voiced Resume. Your next move is to start researching Target Employers in your destination city. 2017 will be an exciting year!

All the best,

Liz