How to Get a Job in Another State Before Moving There – Best Tips for Finding Work

You probably know for a fact that finding work is never easy, and doing so long-distance brings another level of obstacles. But it isn’t impossible, especially if you follow good tips on how to get a job in another state before moving there. It will also require patience, as well as dedication, and good planning, and before you know it, you will secure a position for yourself before you begin to pack.

An average American moves more than 11 times during their lifetime. While around 40% of moves are employment-related, more than 40% are for personal reasons. If you are leaving your parents’ home for the first time or planning on relocating for love, it would be better not to venture into the unknown without securing an income first. Let’s face it, relocations are among the most stressful events in our lives, no matter how happy we actually are about something new that awaits us. They also come involved with so many tasks just to keep everything under control. Whatever your reasons to move are, it will be much less stressful if you prepare everything ahead of time, and that means applying for jobs out of state before you actually call any long-distance movers, pack fragile items and your other belongings, and set foot out of your current home.

Tip No.1 – Doing Research Is One of the Crucial Tips

Most people already know where they are relocating to before they start thinking about how to get a position in a new city, but even if you are the more free-spirited type and just want a change of scenery, getting a job out of state before you move out is still doable. The very first step you should make is certainly not packing pots and pans, but doing research properly, and it’s much easier if you already know where you want to move. Look at the city’s employment listings on the market and get a sense of where you should apply. The best way to look at the market is through the Chamber of Commerce or the city’s offices of economic development, but even if you’re still not sure where to look, you can search for opportunities in your field.

Tip No.2 – Spruce up Your Presentation the Best You Can

After scouting the market, the next step in resolving the question on how to apply for jobs out of state is not finding packing tips for relocating (yet!), but to make your presentation neat and appealing to future employers. It’s needless to say that your resume should be top-notch and updated with your current experience. Don’t forget to include any volunteer jobs, as well as your skills, and you will be almost good to go.

Avoid Writing a Fake Address

You’re probably wondering how to apply for a job in another state from where you are currently and avoid being discarded because of the distance from the place of employment you want to apply for. One of the most important things you should pay attention to is your address, and you shouldn’t let your prospective employer discriminate against you by thinking that you’re either confused or simply mass sending applications. Don’t try going around this by putting down a fake address, even if you have a friend in the city you’re applying to, because one of the best relocating hacks when looking for employment is to simply remove your current whereabouts.

Add a Cover Letter

Cover letters are a great way to fill in any gaps that you might have in the resume, and it’s a perfect opportunity to write about your whereabouts and the date you were planning to move (i.e. relocating to New York in September 2021). While the resume lists your experiences and any skills you’ve obtained, a cover letter will make sure you stand out from the crowd. Besides convincing the potential employer about how passionate you are about the position, and that you are the right choice for it, you may also mention the reason behind planning a move to another city.

Tip No.3 – Tap Into Your Network and Use It to Your Advantage

While we may be led to believe that our experience and skills alone are enough to land us a dream position in our line of work, in reality, this is often not the case. Networking is an important part of our careers, especially because knowing someone is not just good for getting a recommendation but might be common ground with the hiring manager. This is why asking your current network about any connections in the city you’re relocating to should be a part of your relocating to another state checklist. Later on, you may also use the network to find a reliable long-distance moving company instead of simply searching the internet for “long-distance movers near me”.

How to Find a Job When Moving Out of State Using Social Networking

Social networks are a significant part of our lives and can have other uses besides arguing with strangers and looking at pictures of cats. Both LinkedIn groups and Facebook communities can be used to your advantage – you just need to identify the ones that fit the purpose and the geographic location. To get noticed and expand your network, make sure to join these groups and start contributing. That way, you may even have an opportunity to introduce yourself to someone who is close with an employer you are targeting.

Tip No.4 – Additional Preparations Before Finally Applying

If you’ve followed our tips thoroughly up to this point, you are done with the preparatory steps in the adventure called “How to Look for a Job in Another State”. But there are some additional things you might want to do before actually sending in your resume to companies that interest you:

• While you’re researching the market in the city you’re going to move to and making a relocating to-do list, decide on 5 companies at most that interest you. At this point, you may even start reaching out to connections that you’ve made by emailing them and letting them know you’re interested. This way, you’re making sure they have you in mind when a position opens up.
• A recruiter in your future city may be just the thing you need, and it’s a bit of good advice even if you’re relocating without a job.
• Be sure to have all important documents ready at hand.
• Signing up for email lists in a specific industry may be of huge help, too. Anything related to a position you’re hoping for might end up directly in your inbox, so that’s an opportunity you shouldn’t miss out on.
• Attending a conference related to your industry is still a relevant way to get connected and ask around for any opportunities in the area. If you are a member of an organization related to your industry, attend their meetings as well.
• If you are relocating to another state alone, consider working part-time jobs or even finding a company or an employer you can work for for a short period of time until you get settled. Temporary and part-time work is also a good idea if you are wondering how do I move out of state with no job and how to live on my own.

It’s understandable that you already have a lot on your mind and have to make a list of what you need to rent an apartment if you are going to live by yourself or learn how to babyproof a house if you have a newborn. But any of these additional tips may help you get results, so make sure you don’t skip on them.

Informational Interviews Can Be Helpful

Before you invest in long-distance relocation services and way before you need any packing services, there are a few more things you can do to make sure you have a position as soon as you relocate. Compile a list of companies you see as potential employers and reach out to their recruiting managers. This is a good way to be seen before you actually apply, and you can use this opportunity to get additional information about companies, as well as make sure you get notified of any position that opens up. Watch the following video for some advice on how to optimize your LinkedIn profile and up your odds of landing an interview.

Tip No.5 on How to Get a Job in Another State Before Moving There – Start Applying

Once you’ve taken all the other steps and your resume is top-notch, start sending applications. This is the perfect time to call in on any connections you have and use every advantage. You’re wondering “How early should I apply for a job before moving?” Ideally, you should do it as soon as you are sure about the relocation date, so you can have employment waiting for you. With a secured position, it’s easier to focus on things like the new apartment checklist and look for all the good small apartment ideas for the new place.

Tip No.6 – Get Ready for an Interview

You’ve sent out your resumes and have been contacted for interviews. Don’t pack the dishes or call a cross-country moving company just yet. If you are still asking yourself “Should you find a job before moving”, the answer is that it is a wiser decision. Now, when it comes to interviews, it’s more and more common to be video interviewed for a position, but be flexible, especially if you have to travel a long distance and are in a different time zone. The best tip is to try and set up all the in-person interviews in a single day, and if that is not possible, at least a few days apart to save up on travel expenses. Ask about relocation benefits – if you are valuable enough as a candidate, they might offer that kind of package.

Tip No.7 – Talk to Your Current Employer

There is yet another solution to the question of “How do I get a job in another state before I move”. You might be comfortable enough to let your current employer know about your plans, and this may help in several ways. If you are too valuable as an employee, the company may offer remote work. The other option is that your current employer has offices in the area you’re relocating to and can offer a position there. It would be a perfect match where you could feel free to start packing, thinking about what to keep and take with you, and organizing the move. You’d be relaxed and ready to focus on other aspects of the relocation, from calling cross-country movers and investing in a storage service to thinking through whether you’re going to need auto transport, or you’re going to drive by yourself.

Tip No.8 – Even if You Don’t Find a Position, Pack Up and Move

The ideal scenario is that you’ve actually landed one of those jobs that require relocation, and that is the reason for the move. But even if you haven’t secured a position by following all the tips on how to get a job out of state before moving, it doesn’t mean you should give up on the whole idea. Settling down in a new location without being employed is harder, but not undoable. Just make sure, when planning a budget for everything involved in the move, including relocation insurance, that you have enough to get by until you find employment. So feel free to call in reputable movers to avoid any relocation scams and venture into the new chapter in your life.