Sometimes, you just gotta GTFO. Maybe your town has hit hard times, maybe you want to live in a place that is more fast pace, rural, better nightlife, good schools, lesser commute or maybe there just are very few jobs in your area of expertise. If you are a Marine Biologist living in North Platte, Nebraska or an Polar Bear Veterinarian in Boca Raton, Florida then I don’t imagine that your job prospects are looking too rosy.
Looking for a job in another city where you don’t yet live is hard. You have several additional hurdles to overcome and can be at a disadvantage to preferred local candidates. As far as employment discrimination laws go, geographical area applied from is not a protected class. However, these hurdles are not insurmountable.
Here are some helpful tips:
1.) Visit the place first / Do your research! This is probably one of the most singular important things, but it can also put a dent in your bank account. Learn as much as you can about the place. Look at the demographics on Wikipedia. Join the subreddit for that town. Read the local paper daily. Check the US Labor statistics. Research neighborhoods and see statistics on realtor.com.
Still, the best way to learn about a place is to spend some time there and talk to the locals! Let them know that you are looking for a job and in what areas. Small talk in the local burger joint could lead to a possible job lead!
2.) Don’t move to your destination spot without a job! I know this is tempting, especially when it seems that most jobs say “local applicants only.” This is a sure-fire way to end up living under a bridge, or having to settle on a job that you would not have considered in the first place because of the pay or because it is lesser than you would have wanted in the first place.
Now, that is assuming you already still have a job in your soon to be ex-city. However, if you are jobless and looking to move, it is going to be hard for you to find a place to live in the new city without a job. Most rentals require a background check and if you are thinking of financing a house, you are going to have to show proof of employment. Unless you have a friend or family member who is willing to put up with your bad habits who will allow you to live under the same roof as them for the long haul then you are probably going to be applying from afar.
The final caveat of course is if you are sitting on a wad of cash and can show you have enough bank or can purchase a home outright, then by all means, go ahead and move to that other city. However, the rest of us will probably still continue to apply from afar and keep playing the same Powerball numbers.
3.) How to network: The biggest challenge is that you may not know anyone in this fabulous destination you are trying to make your new home. However, you may have more inroads than you thought. Good contacts to have in your new city could include fellow alumni from your college / high school.
I grew up in Nebraska and have networked going to Nebraska Cornhusker game watch sites in other cities. Networking can be done with fellow sports fans at venues in this city. The main thing is to find commonality. Trade / industry groups are terrific places to network. If you are affiliated with a church or charitable organization that does work in the area, then these are also great resources to tap into. When people find they share a commonality they are very eager to help a fellow “team” member!
Final tip, check out the local chamber of commerce website or visit if you are in town. You can find a lot of solid employers in the area you might not have known about otherwise and peruse their “Career Opportunities” online.
4.) Explore remote work: If you are able to land a remote job that you can do from anywhere, then this is going to make it much easier to relocate. Most job boards have remote work as an option when searching for employment.
5.) Certifications / Licenses: If you are in the United States, then you know that every state has its own stupid rules, requirements and regulations to change licenses. I will give you an example. I obtained my CPA in Virginia. At the time there was a 120 college level course hour requirement to obtain a CPA. Most other states had a 160 hour requirement. When I took a job in North Carolina and tried to get a license in North Carolina, sure enough they had a 160 hour requirement. I was sitting on 154 hours.
So, in the name of becoming a better North Carolina accountant, I went to the local community college and enrolled in an American History class and a Music class to get to 160 hours. Honestly, it didn’t make me a better accountant but I can tell you all about the Civil War and I know my Circle of Fifths like the back of my hand.
8.) Use 3rd parties: Don’t write off using headhunters or employment agencies.
7.) How to address that you are not a local: A lot of people if they address it, like to do so in the cover letter. I think the cover letter is more for grabbing attention and setting you apart (see here). I go ahead and address it right away in the e-mail where the cover letter and resume are attached. Now, if you are applying through another platform then I think you should address it in the cover letter.
Again, like in most practices (except politics) honesty is the best policy. If you have a tie to the area, it is good to bring that up. If you are moving to paradise, do not say something like “I love the place!” Most locals in touristy spots hate transplants, especially in the South. I remember in Florida once seeing a bumper sticker that said “I don’t care how you did things up North!” That pretty much sums up your hurdles!
8.) Being an outsider can be an advantage! If you have a higher educational background or have a specialized level of expertise, then you may actually have a huge advantage looking to change cities. Moreover, if you are looking to move to a non-destination spot, you may actually have an advantage if the company is struggling to find qualified local candidates.