Moving to a different state is a big decision. You might want to be closer to your family, explore a booming job market, or you’d like to change your lifestyle altogether. In all these cases, it’s best to get a job offer before hitting the road.
You can discuss the possibility of working from home with your current employer. According to a Gallup report, 43% of employees work remotely. This includes fully satellite models as well as hybrid arrangements.
If that’s not feasible, here’s how to get a job in another state.
- Is It Harder to Get a Job in Another State?
- Should You Move Before You Get a Job?
- Do Companies Prefer Local Candidates?
- Why Might You Want a Job in Another State?
- How Soon Should You Look for a Job When Moving to a Different State?
- How to Get a Job in Another State
- How to Get a Job in Another State Before Moving There
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
Is It Harder to Get a Job in Another State?
Getting any job in today’s job market isn’t a walk in the park, but there are added challenges for job seekers looking for out-of-state employment.
This includes conducting requesting online interviews and passing the screening process of recruiters. Additionally, they need to understand the complexities of life and work in another state.
Should You Move Before You Get a Job?
This would certainly facilitate the job search, but it’s not a must.
Spending some time in the new state would give you an accurate idea of the job market. One of the perks is being readily available for in-person interviews. Another one is reassuring the recruiters that you’ve already moved to this state, so they wouldn’t worry about your prospects.
You can also look for companies closer to your new residence, and choose a salary that matches your added expenses. Spending some time in town ahead of employment would let you put your life in order and then give your undivided focus to the new job.
Getting a job before moving is also beneficial, as it relieves you from worrying about employment later on. It also guarantees a source of income, which is a great asset for building your new life without cutting back on expenses.
Do Companies Prefer Local Candidates?
Traditionally, most companies stipulated geographic proximity and sometimes even having a car. You can’t blame an employer for wanting full attendance at work.
This has changed slightly over the years, then with the pandemic, remote work became the norm.
Post-pandemic work conditions are mostly a mix of full-time and remote work. Some professions lean more toward physical availability, like working in a hotel front office or supervising work at a building site.
Other jobs like programming, accounting, and music product have less stringent requirements. Companies working in these fields would hire local and remote candidates equally.
Why Might You Want a Job in Another State?
People move from one state to another for various reasons. Most of them mention one of these four main reasons for taking such a big step.
1. To Live With a Partner
Online communication has made remote relationships quite common. At some point, things get serious. One of the two people involved often decides to take the plunge and move to this faraway state.
A similar situation happens when one’s partner gets a promotion which involves moving to another state. Relocation can also be necessary, especially for government or military officials.
2. Change of Lifestyle
Living in a small town is a dream come true for some people. Many New Yorkers who’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle recently relocated to quieter states. Some even left city life altogether and purchased little farms in rural communities.
The opposite is also true, where young ambitious professionals move to Silicon Valley, Massachusetts, and Texas in pursuit of better jobs in thriving cities.
3. Be Closer to Family or Friends
Many people move out of the cities they were born and raised in. It’s the natural state of affairs to go to college away from your hometown, then move on to build a career wherever that might be.
Some of these people miss their old lives and feel better when they revisit their familiar surroundings. Being closer to family and friends is often a big asset, and more than a few people have come to realize that.
4. Seek New Opportunities
Every state has its own unique history, geography, climate, culture, and job opportunities.
Depending on your career path and profession, finding a job you love might be more probable elsewhere. It would be wise to pursue these possibilities and enjoy all the perks that come with this big move.
How Soon Should You Look for a Job When Moving to a Different State?
Getting a job takes roughly 2-6 months, from the onset of the job search to receiving a formal proposal. Based on this estimate, you should start looking for a job 6 months ahead of your move.
If you’re pressed for time, you can use a more tactical approach and tap into the hidden job market. You can also get a temporary job till you get your affairs in order in the new state.
How to Get a Job in Another State
A job search in your surroundings is often much easier than seeking employment in another state. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome the inherent challenges of landing an out-of-state job.
1. Research
Start your search just as you would with any other job. Most employment platforms provide a “preferred location” option. You can also list all the companies around your future residence, and search their websites for available job openings.
2. Sign Up for Job Alerts
This is another great option that you get from various job boards. You’d get weekly emails with all the relevant job opportunities in your field and location of choice.
3. Update Your Resume
Your resume can set you back with hiring managers if they notice that you’re from a different state.
As you seek employment in a different state, you should update your address, and reflect your move. Being specific and honest is the best approach.
4. See if Your Employer Has Positions in Other States
A lot of companies have operations in different states, or they work with other partners in various cities. Either way, you might not have to leave your company at all. It would just be an internal relocation, probably with better pay!
5. Look for Remote Jobs
Remote jobs are abundant nowadays, so you might as well land one of these. This should give you much-needed flexibility as you build your new life.
You should also be on the lookout for scams. This is more recurrent with remote jobs.
6. Pick Your Locations to Search In
Make sure to select jobs based on the new location. This is an option in most recruitment platforms and job boards.
How to Get a Job in Another State Before Moving There
To be on the safe side, it’s best to get a job in another state before moving there. Here are the best tactics to do that.
1. Contact Out-of-State Recruiters
The local recruiters know their job market better than any outsiders or generic job boards. Give them a call, and explain your situation well. Reassure them that you’re determined to make the move, and provide any tangible documents to support the seriousness of your plan.
2. Be Honest About Your Location
Some people rent a post office box in their intended area, and use this address as their current one. This is intended to give recruiters the impression that they’re already residents of that state.
While this little fib can get them more attention, it could easily backfire. Hiring managers could ask them to come to an interview right away, or they could ask them a direct question about their exact whereabouts.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with the new information. Also, share your impending move with your network.
This could get you some referrals or new job offers.
4. Let Your Network Know
Make some phone calls with key people in your network, and send some text messages or emails around.
When people in the other state know about your plans, they’d often offer you recommendations about the best places to work, and maybe even propose referrals.
Reaching out to a recruiter and explaining your situation would be great.
5. Be Prepared to Discuss the Move
Talking about the move as an idea, is entirely different from describing it as a detailed plan. Tell the recruiters what’s the specific date of your move, preferred jobs, and expected salary. This is how to gain their trust and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Easiest State in Which to Get a Job?
This is highly dependent on your field, qualifications, and expected position. Generally speaking, the most economically thriving state is Colorado, followed by Utah and Massachusetts.
Other recruiters mention Washington and California as the easiest states to find employment. This has to do with the state GDP, and the abundance of giant corporations in these cities.
Should I Get a Job First Before Moving Out of State?
Getting a job quickly before taking a long trip to another state would be brilliant, as this would keep your savings intact while you set up residence over there.
It’s also true that spending some time in the new state, before getting a job, is a fine idea. It would give you a better picture of the job market, the best places to live, and how much it costs to stay there.
Wrapping Up
Planning your steps carefully will always serve you well as you start a new chapter of your life. Getting a thorough knowledge of how to get a job in another state is essential for a seamless move.
In this article, we discussed the best ways of selecting and applying for a job remotely. Your odds of landing your dream job would be much higher if you follow these guidelines.
As you select from the available jobs, you need to consider the cost of living in that state as well. Your salary should cover your basic needs, plus an extra amount for lifestyle, entertainment, development, and savings.
