Job Hunting Long Distance

[ladypirate]

Does anyone have any tips on job hunting 1000 miles away? We''re moving to Portland this summer and it has been so difficult to get so much as an email back about a job, let alone a phone interview. My resume says that I am relocating to the area, but it seems employers don''t even want to look at anyone applying from out of town (or state, as the case may be).

I''m getting so frustrated by this--on the plus side, we''re moving come h*** or high water, so maybe it will be easier to look for jobs once we''re actually living up there. I''m just a bit at the end of my rope. If anyone has any suggestions, I''d love to hear them!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Can you hire someone to rewrite your resume? My SIL moves all the time and always applies for jobs in different states and has good luck (and she DOES travel for interviews). Her resume is HIGHLY polished! That makes a huge difference. . .

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 4/17/2008 7:11:03 PM
Author: MC
Can you hire someone to rewrite your resume? My SIL moves all the time and always applies for jobs in different states and has good luck (and she DOES travel for interviews). Her resume is HIGHLY polished! That makes a huge difference. . .

My resume and cover letters seem to be relatively polished already (at least from the feedback I''ve gotten from previous employers). May I ask what field your SIL is in? I''m wondering if part of the problem is that I''m young (2 years out of college) and as such don''t have a huge amount of experience.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Something you might try is looking on the local craig''s list. Since that is not a national thing, they might assume you are more comfortable with the area if you are using local resources and not just national ones.

 

[Elmorton]

In some fields, you may not be getting a response because they don''t want to spend the $$ to fly you out for an interview... so it might be one of those things where you just have to wait until you relocate.

Definitely also do follow-up phonecalls to explain that you''re relocating and will be in the area on specific dates (will you be going out there for any house-relocation type things prior to moving?) if they would be interested in meeting you - you might get an interview that way.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My SIL is a computer programer. As suggested, check out Craig''s List. I''m not sure if she used CL to find jobs, but she frequently looks at it for other reasons (she found a condo that way).

Which field are you in? Can you look for a temp. to permanent job once you get out there?

 

[Erin]

Do you have a friend or relative in the area who''s address you can put down on your resume? If they mail you a response, they can just forward it to you. More importantly, they can still call you (Oh, I haven''t changed my number yet) but the questionability of relocation won''t be a hassle in their mind...

 

[monarch64]

I would definitely try using the local Craigslist. Also, would it be possible for you to go there for a few days--you could try to set up some interviews by telling possible employers that you will definitely be in town on certain dates, that way they know you''re serious about moving there and might be more inclined to get you in for an interview. Or you can try to obtain a contact phone # and set up phone interviews at least.

If you''re lean on actual job experience, you can also list activities you did in college or high school that might relate to the job you''re looking for. Example: if you''re strong in leadership, list a class project where you were the group leader, or if you''re great at teamwork, list an extracurricular team activity you participated in. That shows that even though you didn''t get paid for it, you were involved in something which required you to get along well with teammates or that you have good leadership abilities.