Conducting a Long Distance Job Search

IT hiring is booming in several areas around the country. But what if you don’t live in one of these places?  Considering employment opportunities outside of your geographical area immediately multiplies your range of opportunities.  However, boosting your chances of actually landing one of those positions requires some techniques specific to long-distance job-seeking.  Here are five tips for conducting a long distance job search:

1.      Narrow your search. A nationwide search will quickly become overwhelming. Focus on one or two promising regions and consider all the major factors that would affect your life there. These might include the cost of living, the quality of schools and whether you have friends or family nearby. Also consider, to the degree possible, whether the area’s IT job market seems sustainable. Your career won’t benefit from an isolated boom that leads to layoffs a year or two down the road.

2.      Find out how much greener the grass really is.  If possible, spend a few days in the area you are considering.  Not only will you gain a clearer sense of whether you’d really want to live there, but you’ll also have a chance to make some professional connections.  Before your trip, use your network to find contacts in the area you might meet for lunch or coffee. There’s no substitute for first-hand knowledge about local organizations, trends and unlisted opportunities.

3.      Practice your phone interview.  A distant employer will likely require at least one long-distance interview before you’re invited to a face-to-face meeting. Don’t assume your in-person interview skills will translate over the phone. Ask a friend to play the hiring manager and call or Skype for a mock interview. As with the real call, make sure you won’t be disturbed and that you have the job listing and your resume at hand. Rehearsing might feel weird, but it’s a good way to practice making your key points within the ebb and flow of a phone conversation.

4.      Don’t try to pass for a local at first contact. It’s understandable to want employers to see you for your qualifications, not your area code. But disguising your location in your application materials will come across as deceptive. Clearly state in your cover letter why you are seeking a job outside your area.  Explain why the employer and the position at hand are such a good match for you.

5.      Get help.  A staffing firm with offices across the county can help you identify and explore cities and regions with promising opportunities in your specialty. The firm also can provide direct links to openings in those areas.