How to Conduct a Long-Distance Job Search

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I've been trying to find work in another state, as where I live now is ridiculously overpriced compared to my overall income. Other areas of the country are much less expensive, and the house/income ratio is much better there.
However, I've found no one who can help me find an opportunity, because I am out of state, hell even out of town. Every headhunter keeps sending/spamming me with jobs in my local area, and when I ask about alternate locations at other offices, I never hear from them again.
My skills can be used remotely, I could telecommute, and I am not averse to locations which aren't the metro center of these states. Yet, I've had three Large agencies tell me that they won't help me find a job there until I live there. It's one more contingency that they'd have to deal with, plus negotiating for relocation (if available) is just more than they want to bother with.

bee kay of CA 10:44PM April 24, 2013

Now what if your finishing up a degree and upon completion, or you'd finish jcompletion if you relocate before completion . Then what would be the best way of letting intentional employer know this ? Would this help or make relocating harder? Also being single and with only financial-move issue of relocation, yet you can once relocating afford to live where you move to. How can you let employer know this,7 or if you if let's just say have pets. How would you go about seeing if the company would assist with relocating if possible in anyway? I heard you can see if the IRS or something would help b cover the move and such something along this line. Many say its not finding a place to live, and getting situated upon relocating out of state. I've talked with people of all ages and common issue is the same. 'They have everything the employer is looking for its just the moving part/moving cost & Interview where they'd relocate to. I'm finishing my degree and am willing to finish it before or after my relocating. Since mcurrently where I live there are only certain jobs available in career fields such as Auto Industry and Hospital field type work. Many have qualifications in other fields like mine though, leaving there arent any avaliable anywhere or nearby where I liveub. So we then take jobs don't have stability or off er not enough hours, even with
minimum wage. Yet others with diffrent background deg?ees have no problem
with finding a job. Which means our only opportunity is to relocate. Like my friends I see no jobs here that within our abilities and many are young people just out of College or University who find it difficult to get a job where the jobs are but once again the issue is the move-cost not getting situated. What's your advice you can give for students/grads. in this situation? live. My one last question is if you have, or get a job in your state that can let you relocate how would go about discussing it with your employer, or would be employer if you wanted to relocate?
'Any Suggestions Would Be Truly Helpfull'

Miss Gigi S. of MI 1:41PM February 28, 2013

Although we have relatively few candidates in this position, working with a recruiting firm can make the process a little easier. For example, our recruiters know which employers might be willing to take longer for the hiring process, pay relocation expenses, etc. In general, the more rare the skillset needed to fill the position, the more flexible you'll find the employer.
www.principaltechnologies.com

Principal Technologies of OK 2:22PM January 02, 2013

Yes, relocate to the desired state first, then because it still takes too long to get a job, wind up in their homeless shelter and see how much "easier" THAT makes your jobsearch. That's a plan!

Pamela of CA 2:36PM September 28, 2011

The America Hires Virtual Job Fair will run from October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 at AmericaHires360.com and aims to connect millions of job candidates with hiring companies throughout the United States. Visit http://www.americahires360.com for more information or to register.

AmericaHires360 of FL 10:13AM August 29, 2011

My last 3 career opportunities have been in 3 different states. It's been my willingness to relocate that has been a big asset rather than a hinderence in finding gainful employment. Also I'm not exactly sure how many job seekers (particularly unemployed ones) have the disposable income available to purchase last minute plane tickets for an interview. But if an employer is not going to assist with your relocation, a plane ticket for an interview candidate is still a tax deductable expense for them. Lastly with regards to using a friends address to make your self seem local, it is never wise to put mis-leading information on your resume or cover letter. It is better to simply acknowledge you are an out of state applicant and that you are willing to relocate.

Jay of TN 1:03PM August 27, 2011

You should never, ever lie on your resume, and writing a friend's local address as your address is one more reason for them to toss yours in the garbage. The better approach is to list the new location and prospective relocation date.
As to interviews - consider suggesting a video chat. With the emergence and popularity of Skype and gChat, there's no reason you need to spend your money on expensive, last-minute plane tickets for an interview when they can simply interview you over the Internet. In this economy, especially if you've already told them you are planning to relocate (which is expensive in and of itself), they shouldn't expect you to spend even more money flying out to them for an interview when you can experience the same result online. Also, a company that will video conference is one you know is up-to-date with the latest technology, will value you as an employee, and will sometimes be flexible for you. Relocation responsibility and expense falls almost entirely on the job seeker now; it's not at all too much to ask that companies take this into account. Don't let the bad economy get you down; a job search is just as much about finding the right fit for YOU and it is finding the right fit for them.

Mandi of WI 10:57AM August 26, 2011

I have been searching and applying for jobs in most of the 50 states. I tell companies that I can relocate immediately with or without relocation assistance. I just don't get it. I have an MBA and a MA along with a BS ans AAS.

Les of DE 2:29PM August 24, 2011

Diana, I wouldn't worry too much about that. While it's certainly true that there are some employers who won't consider unemployed job applicants, they're the exception to the rule. What's more common is that employers will often prefer RECENT employment (as opposed to the last job being quite a while ago), and even then, this is a preference, not typically a hard-and-fast requirement. So I wouldn't freak yourself out about that aspect too much ... although if it turns out that your unemployment does extend on for a while, making sure that you're volunteering or doing something else to fill the time, which you can use on your resume.

Alison Green of DC 1:27PM August 22, 2011

I'm getting ready to retire from active duty military and reading advice about long distance job searches. After retirement, I plan to move back to my home state (all paid for by the US military).
One the one hand, even though I'm across the country from the jobs I want in my home state, I'm still employed, so I can apply for those jobs that only accept currently employed applicants.
On the other hand, once I'm retired and moved, I'll be a local candidate but no longer employed.
The only window I see where I will both be local and still employed is while I'm on terminal leave (leave saved up during my military tenure and used at the end of service) but that only lasts 2 months. From what I've been reading, a job search can take much longer than just 2 months.

Diana of VA 1:16PM August 22, 2011