How to Get a Job in Another State Before Moving There

How to Get a Job Out of State Before Moving? Some Handy Tips

Yes, we’ve heard it all before. Relocating to a new state is one of the most significant life events. But relocating without a job? Well, that must be the most stressful one, for sure. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that the most common reason people move is a pursuit of career advancement. But the real question is how to find a job when moving out of state? Whatever your reasons to move are, don’t be scared to make a jump and start your search for a suitable work opportunity. Whether you decide to move to California or experience what living in Seattle is like, with a good strategy, you’ll handle the labor market no matter how challenging it is.

Determine Where You Want to Live

Before figuring out how to apply for jobs out of state, you have some decision-making to do. If you’ve always had your dream place you wanted to live in – great news – you can skip one of the vital tasks, one that all your other answers depend on. Believe it or not, not having to spend months deciding where to live will not only speed up the entire process but will also guide you to places that fit you better.

There’s even a Where Should I Move Quiz you can take because research helps you understand why living somewhere else may bring you more joy than the current location. Trust our word. Figuring this out will matter to your future employers, too, because many jobs that require relocation do not guarantee happiness. That’s why it’s crucial to find more motives to uproot your life – in case something goes wrong, you will still have a good reason to move on.

Research the Local Market in the Destination State

Relocating to a new home implies doing so many things at once, from hiring long-distance movers and thinking about which moving services you need to packing a garage and, of course, transferring utilities. That being said, there is so much more to relocating efficiently because it means learning how to avoid relocation mistakes while figuring out how to look for a job in another state.

Getting a job out of state means being knowing the city you’re going to and its local labor market well. Unless you already have your sights set on a specific company, find your inner private detective and research your desired address in depth. This should be a priority on your to-do list, especially if you’re relocating to a new city alone. There was never a better moment to learn how to become more self-reliant than now. And yes, feel free to add that one to your resume.

Use Social Media and Employment Sites to Search for Work Opportunities

What’s a better place than the internet to find new career opportunities nowadays? Most – if not all – successful startups and businesses are posting their openings online. The days when people searched for jobs in newspapers are long gone. And today, people rarely even read newspapers, so why would companies spend money on ads? It’s simpler for the whole modern world to scroll up and down.

There are many employment websites and platforms you can use. For example, you’ve probably heard of Indeed or sites like Jobing. Both are vast databases of new openings, so one of our relocation tips is to examine them thoroughly. Also, there’s a business social media network growing all around. If you take a look, engaging with companies you admire – or more of them – is easy with LinkedIn.

Create a Shortlist of Companies You’re Interested In

We know there are many responsibilities on your mind right now, particularly if you’re relocating for the first time. Breathe, take it slow. It’s quite natural for a first-timer to be overwhelmed and all panicky, whether we’re talking about the best way to pack books or figuring out how to get a job in another state before moving there. All these tasks have one thing in common – they’re all chaotic and messy. Almost like with kids: with the first one, you’re clueless, with the second, you adapt, and by the third one, you’re a superhero. You can wait for that experience to build up or stay with us and learn to be efficient.

And by this, we mean identifying companies you’d be happy to work for, at least ten of them. Go to their websites, look for their founders and investors, and go over their recent social media posts. Check if there are online reviews on them or if they’re operating at another location, too.

Don’t Neglect the Importance of a Resume

If you want to know just the right way to advertise yourself professionally to your future employers, a clean resume is the best way to go. Presenting yourself as a prospective candidate is not possible without improving your skills over the years. However, keep in mind that your professional experience is not the only thing that plays an important role when applying for jobs out of state.

Given the fact that an average employer takes up to 10 seconds to screen your application before deciding if you are a good fit for an interview, make sure it is well structured, accurate, and – above all – to the point. Here are some of the best resume templates you can use, but also have these in mind:

• Although this is a document that should tell who you are professionally, it should also give an idea of who you are as an individual to your future employers,
• A neatly written resume should sell your accomplishments and acquired skills, which will convince the company you’re interested in that you’re their best fit,
• A good resume should be tailored to each specific company and match what they’re looking for – an employer looking for a sales representative won’t care that you’ve been honing your cooking skills for the past ten years.

Do not forget to include all relevant information in your resume, such as your mailing address, street address, a city you’re currently living in, etc. To learn more about how to write a winning resume, check out the video below.

What About a Cover Letter?

Wondering how to apply for a job in another state successfully? Well, a cover letter will help. It is your best chance to make an excellent first impression and stand out from the crowd. These are 5 minutes of the recruiter’s time, don’t be shy to use them to draw attention to yourself, because not every candidate will be invited for an interview. So, do not just repeat the stuff from your resume. They already know what your professional qualifications are and what schools you attended. A cover letter is your only tool to demonstrate your true potential and passion for the position.

One of the main reasons why relocating is so stressful is being aware that you’re competing with equally qualified candidates for the position you want so much. That’s precisely why it is vital to take the chance to highlight your core competencies and specific strengths, as well as some of your personality traits.

Use This Journey to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Even though paying the true cost of interstate relocation doesn’t come easy – from saying bye to friends and family to coping with depression after moving – it’s worth all the trouble because it rebuilds your self-reliance and confidence. And let’s face it, these are also critical elements in terms of your career. So don’t let the significant change scare you off, take one of our tips and grab this opportunity to grow.

Pocket Tips to Prepare for an Interview Properly

Sure, we all Google common interview questions when it’s time to prepare for one, but let’s be honest – that’s not proper preparation. Having a clear idea of your target company and knowledge of their product or service is something else entirely. And that is what’s expected of you when there’s fierce competition awaiting. Here are some pre-interview tips to help you prep adequately:

Try to get a sense of the company you’re interested in by researching their services and products. You’re doing this for yourself, also, to learn why you’re passionate about this particular work opportunity.
The job description is there for a reason. Ensure you read it carefully because it will be a good guide for the questions you can expect and responsibilities you might be challenged to prove.
Be sure to mention your relocation plans to an HR specialist and be ready to explain why you picked that particular city.

Don’t forget to watch your body language, although it can be pretty hard to control. Still, many tips and tricks can help you look more confident during an interview – here are some of them.

Questions You Can Expect During Interviews

We all want to ace interview questions, but the truth is, fright often gets in our way, and – just like that – we forget half of what we know. Sometimes even more. And although no interview will be the same, there are some popular questions you can expect and make your responses convincing. Here are just some of them you should take into consideration:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you think you’re the right fit for the role?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Are you willing to discuss salary expectations?
• Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
• Why did you choose to move long distances?

Never Pass up the Opportunity to Ask Questions, Too

Believe us, it’s highly recommended not to let an interview pass without asking the hiring manager a question or two. You’d be surprised by how impressed they would be to see you’re curious about a typical day at the company or projects they are working on. If you’re relocating on a budget, this is also the perfect moment to ask about potential relocation assistance. It’s an excellent way to save on moving costs since some of them might be willing to cover travel expenses and living arrangements.

Don’t Be Afraid to Pursue a Better Career and the Best Opportunities

Deciding to leave your hometown and support system is never easy, but listen to that inner voice. Listen to your gut telling you it’s time to go. The reason is simple. There’s only one life to pursue your goals – including professional ones. So if your idea of a happy life doesn’t involve staying in the same job for years just because it’s stable, maybe it’s time to find a new one that will make you feel curious again, even if you have to move across the whole country for it.