How to Effectively Narrow Your Career Search When Moving Out of State

Many people find themselves in a position where they can’t find their dream job in their current location. Others simply want to get a change of scenery and find a job somewhere they’ve never lived before. However, finding an out-of-state job is easier said than done because of the wide variety of options.

You can only make your job search easier if you cut through the noise and narrow your search. Follow along as we explore how to effectively narrow your career search when moving out of state.

Utilize Online Resources

Today, you can easily access information about particular employers. Employer review websites are more common than ever, and they can help you narrow your career search. They work much like Yelp and Google Reviews and let former employees rate their employers.

However, you must take each employer review with a grain of salt. For example, you may encounter a review that stands out as overwhelmingly negative compared to others. That could simply be a disgruntled former employee who was let go.

Even still, it’s worth reading employer reviews to get an idea of the work environment at any given job. A handful of reviews can at least give you an idea of whether or not you’ll fit into that professional setting. Understanding a company’s work culture is just as important as knowing what your salary may be.

Schedule In-Person Interviews Whenever Possible

Remote interviews are convenient, but they don’t always paint a full picture. A lot can get lost in translation during a phone or video chat interview. You can’t get an impression of what the work environment is like when you interview remotely.

That’s why it helps to schedule in-person interviews if time and money allow it. It’s a great way to get a better understanding of your future employer’s demeanor and expectations. You can also get a peek behind the curtain and see how the employees behave and if they seem happy.

This can also give you the chance to spend time in the area where your potential job is located. How you feel about a location is just as important as the job itself. After all, it’s not worth moving out of state to a job in a town you hate as that can take a toll on your mental health.

Conduct Job Market Research

It’s no secret that some industries thrive better in some states than others. That’s why it’s important to research which states and cities are the best for your particular industry. For example, you can easily research the best states for nurse practitioners before applying for jobs.

Doing so makes it easier to narrow your job search down to a small pool. Not only does this save time, but it also saves you the trouble of relocating to a state where a particular industry isn’t healthy. Pay attention to pay rates and job satisfaction statistics.

See Yourself 10 Years From Now

Relocating to a different state for a job is a huge decision, and you cannot take it lightly. Pursuing out-of-state jobs is much easier when you know what you want to achieve over the next several years. It helps to ask yourself some questions about your career aspirations.

For example, do you want to work your way up the professional ladder? In that case, you can narrow your search and look for job postings that mention upward mobility. The last thing you want to do is relocate only to find out there’s no chance of getting promoted.

Luckily, job listings are often transparent and state whether promotions can come into play after the probationary period. If not, feel free to ask your potential employer if upward mobility is a factor. After all, it’s important to know before uprooting your life and moving to another state.

Focus on Your Degree

Many businesses have positions they only want to fill with people who have specific degrees. You can narrow your job search if you use keywords based on your degree. For example, you can look up a job title and add “doctor of business administration in business intelligence” to narrow your search.

That way, you’ll mostly only encounter employers looking for candidates who have that degree. Keep in mind that not every job listing specifies this. In that case, you must at least state your degree and academic and employment histories.

Moving for Work Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Moving for the betterment of your career is a huge decision. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult if you prioritize your skills, degree, and career goals. It won’t take long to find the perfect out-of-state job if you define your goals and focus on job listings that apply to you.

Get used to inputting simple Google searches with keywords related to your degree and ideal career. Focus on areas that are hotbeds for your particular field that offer upward mobility to ensure longevity. Be yourself, stay confident, demonstrate your value, and you’ll find the perfect job in no time.