Many candidates would gladly consider relocation for the right position, but it can be different to navigate the process as an out of state candidate. The trouble is in convincing hiring managers to give you the same chance as your more local counterparts.
There’s always the old trick of using your friend/relative/significant other/parents’ local address if you have the availability to do so. But that’s not always an option, and neither is lying.
The best way to handle marketing yourself as an out of state (or international) candidate is to be direct and honest about your interest in relocating, and assure hiring managers that the transition won’t be complicated. The sooner your availability, the better your shot at being considered.
Here are few tricks you incorporate into your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to set the right tone, and set you up for success and equal consideration:
Be clear on the resume about the markets in which you’re willing to relocate.
A trick I’ve used in the past instead of including a physical mailing address (or a lack of one altogether) is to denote the cities in which the candidate is located currently, and also looking. This way, it suggests that you’re actively looking for, and available for work in a certain geographic location without needing a physical address.
DANA DETRICK
New York | Austin
dana@brooklynresumestudio.com
or
TESS MANZO
San Francisco | Los Angeles | New York
tessmanzo@gmail.com
(123) 456-7890
Address the transition and timeline in your email or cover letter.
While, there is always a challenge involved with being an out of state candidate, the best thing you can do is address the transition directly. Hiring managers often overlook out of state candidates because of the additional transition time involved with hiring someone who’s not local and bringing them up to speed, versus someone who can be available to interview tomorrow. Give them as clear a timeline as possible around your intended transition, and position it in a way that says, “I’m serious about moving right away for the right opportunity.”
While I am currently located in the New York City area, I am actively in the process of relocating to Miami, and can be available to interview with 3 days’ notice, and available to start within 2 weeks.
Change your market designation on LinkedIn.
If you know that you’re targeting a specific market, you can set the stage for that conversation with hiring managers by making your profile reflect the geography of where you’re looking for work. The trick here, again, is to be honest, as you will be expected to provide nearly the same availability as someone who is currently in the region. If your travel capabilities are flexible and you can be available for an interview within a few days’ notice, then this can be a good option for you. You’ll want to explain that while you’re not currently in residence there, you are ready to make an immediate move should the right opportunity present itself.
If this seems too forward, another option is to mention very clearly in the summary section about your plans to relocate, and again, be clear about your availability. Of course, if you’re looking to keep your job search a secret to your current employer, you may need to avoid any kind of visibility about the topic on LinkedIn, and instead focus on being proactive about contacting potential employers directly.
Relocating for a new position is common, and it’s not just for specialized fields or C-level professionals. With the right approach and the knowledge around what matters to hiring managers, you can position yourself as equally competitive as the local guy/gal.