Bernice writes:
My husband and I live in Ohio now, but we want to relocate back to Florida. We have several resumes out on the Internet and responded to several more. Recruiters are telling me to give them a call after we move down there, but, we were hoping we could find a job first, then move. Do you have any suggestions?
The Career Doctor responds:
Long-distance job-hunting and relocating are tricky, but doable. It’s going to take some planning — and perhaps some sacrifices and some patience — but you can be successful.
Your first step — since you already know the area — is to develop a relocation strategy, which should include a relocation fund because you should make at least one trip down to network, interview, and examine neighborhoods. And while many employers will not fly you down for an interview, if you “happen” to be coming to the area anyway, it’s more likely you can set-up an interview. If there is simply no way you can afford a travel fund, you’re going to have to try and convince some employers to conduct the initial interview by phone.
Your second step is developing job leads — and you must be more proactive than putting your resume on a few job boards. Let everyone in your network — especially those in Florida — know you are looking to return. You should also research the major employers for your professions and consider contacting them directly. You may also want to use a few specialized job sites - niche sites based on location or industry/profession. Finally, consider talking with recruiters and temporary agencies in the area.
Your third step is to be diligent about following-up every potential job lead and keeping your network as involved as possible. Send thank-you notes and follow-up with phone calls. You’ll need to be a bit more aggressive with a long-distance job search than you would with a local one.
Finally, remember that a long-distance search — especially for the two of you — is going to take some time, so try not to get too discouraged.
For more details and other tips, read this article published on Quintessential Careers: New City, New Job: How to Conduct a Long-Distance Job Search.
