Tips for landing a job out of the state?

I plan on moving to Denver (or another place that has snow + mountians) after I finish my first term with WGU (to make myself more marketable). I was wondering if anyone has any tips in landing a job from another state? I currently do not have the funds to just move there and hope for the best. I always try to make sure everything is planned out so no surprises comes up but I do not know how to prepare for something like this.

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Comments

NetworkVeteran

The process for landing jobs out-of-state has always been just about the same as landing jobs in-state, except they pay for a flight, hotel, and car. Obviously, they tend to do this when they can't find great local candidates.

For lower-wage jobs (e.g., A+ only) I've seen success when the candidate setup a week to visit to the remote city. You'd tell potentially employers up-front which week you're visiting and setup back-to-back interviews. In this case, you are paying for the travel expenses, but if you've lined up five interviews you have a decent chance of success. This also assures the companies considering you that you are serious about moving out to the new location and not just "entertaining" the idea.

Sirbloody

Thanks for the help, that's why I am waiting till after my first term since I will have Linux +, Sec + and CCENT (if I can push it in, so far I am a month ahead of my classes.)

Akaricloud

Unfortunately not many lower level positions are willing to help relocate or even consider non-local candidates.

I moved to Western Washington and rented a house with no lined up job and no real source of income. I figured worst case I'd take a minimum wage job delivering pizzas to pay the bills until I found what I wanted. I ended up taking a low level helpdesk position for ~4 months shortly after I moved.

I honestly think this is one of those circumstances where it's best not to plan details and just go for it. Worst case you'll end up working a job that you don't like for a little bit until you land on your feet like I was prepared to.

Sirbloody

Well, the thing about that is I have a family so I can't just get up and move, I need to have something planned out.

cyberguypr

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

For lower-wage jobs (e.g., A+ only) I've seen success when the candidate setup a week to visit to the remote city. You'd tell potentially employers up-front which week you're visiting and setup back-to-back interviews. In this case, you are paying for the travel expenses, but if you've lined up five interviews you have a decent chance of success. This also assures the companies considering you that you are serious about moving out to the new location and not just "entertaining" the idea.

This is what I did back in '06 although not for a lower-wage job. I wanted to achieve precisely that, convey how serious I was about making the move. Lined up 4 interviews in a week and ended up getting one offer which I accepted.

It definitely paid off. I wasn't ready to bring my wife and daughter so I worked in Chicago for 3 months and when things looked definitely good had my wife sell our house cars, etc. and join me.

undomiel

What I've found to be particularly successful if you can't just move out there and start pounding the streets is to book a week that you can go out to your target location. Prior to that week start talking to your target prospects and make sure to emphasize that you will be available during such and such week for a face to face interview. Line up as many as you as early in your week as you can. Once out there try to get some more face time with other companies in area. Don't forget to look at what the housing situation is like as well. Spend some of your spare time scouting out where you'd like to live so you don't have too many surprises when you can head on out.

Don't get too stressed out! Good luck with this.

Akaricloud

Sirbloody wrote: »

Well, the thing about that is I have a family so I can't just get up and move, I need to have something planned out.

Understandable. In that case I would try to find a recruiter local to the area you're trying to move to that is on board with the idea of you moving at the same time. Also keep your eyes out for remote jobs that you could get that would allow you to move and keep working.

I do know when I was job searching out of area I got many more replies when either leaving my address off of my resume or using the address of family in the area.

Sirbloody

Akaricloud wrote: »

Understandable. In that case I would try to find a recruiter local to the area you're trying to move to that is on board with the idea of you moving at the same time. Also keep your eyes out for remote jobs that you could get that would allow you to move and keep working.

I do know when I was job searching out of area I got many more replies when either leaving my address off of my resume or using the address of family in the area.

That's what I was thinking of doing, sucks I have no family in the area though (they all live in CA which is a state I will not work in).

PurpleIT

As someone who is actively trying to move to Denver I can share my experiences with you. First of all, I stopped making references to the fact that I was out of state (and did NOT need relocation assistance); the number of calls I got after removing that from my cover letter increased dramatically. Hiring managers aren't dumb, they can see from your job history that you are either out of state or just moved. My theory is that by calling attention to the relocation issue it makes it easier for them to skip over you.

I do have a Denver phone number (Google voice) so I appear more local, but I am very open about where I am when talking to the HR person. I don't want to lie, but I also want to get them on the phone - that is an investment of their time, albeit a minimal one, and I want to make them talk to me and then not want to give up on the investment. Every step forward I can get them to take is a step in my favor.

I am lucky in that Denver is home for me so I can play off of that, I know the various areas and I can help make a connection with the HR person; that may not really do me any good, but it feels like does. If nothing else, it is good to know the general areas so you know what taking a position at the airport involves vs. a job in the Tech Center vs. Downtown or Boulder. They will ask why do you want to move to XXX... so have a good answer other than, "I like to ski and the new 420 laws will make it easier for me to get stoned on the weekends."

I make it clear I don't need 8 weeks to relocate (a few HR people have said that has been an issue in the past) and that I can get up there fairly quickly; I don't need to schedule a face-to-face interview 10 days out, I can be there in 2-3 days (and if I have to, I will pay for the flight, but I don't volunteer that). Have an idea as to how you will respond to these questions as they will come up.

I have been looking for about 6 weeks now and things are just starting to heat-up. I have tweaked my resume and cover letter as I have gone along and I am now at the point where there are 4 companies showing enough interest that I think I may get a face-to-face interview with one of them.

If I were in my mid 20's still and had nothing holding me back I would just pack up and move, but like you there is family to consider and a mortgage and... I have learned that job hunting across state lines is tough and slow and you will need to be flexible, but it can be done.

Good luck!