A Road Map for the
Long-Distance Job Search
Finding
a job in the city where you live is hard enough; trying to find a job hundreds
or even thousands of miles away can be even tougher. Not only are you fighting against the job
market in a city you don’t know, you’re also dealing with three big challenges:
Challenge #1: Lack of a business network in the
Whether
you realize it or not, many job openings are filled before they even become
public knowledge. This hidden job market
consists of business and professional contacts who may
let you know of job openings in their area or even offer you a referral. But how do you break into the hidden job
market in a long-distance job search?
Solution: A career coach
can help you identify potential networking opportunities—even in a
long-distance job search. By developing
and using a networking strategy, you will be able to make meaningful contacts
in your chosen city. And knowing someone
in the right company or industry can make the difference between wanting the
job and getting the job.
Challenge #2: Reluctance of employers to choose outside
talent
When
an employer can choose among many qualified candidates who are already local,
why should he choose you? Outside talent
actually represents a greater risk to employers for a number of reasons. Reimbursing relocation costs and ensuring a
good fit for the employee in both the job and the region can be costly. And what if the employee moves, then doesn’t
like the area? How do you get an
employer to take a chance on you?
Solution: A
professional resume can help showcase how you are actually adding value
for the employer above and beyond the local candidates. A professionally written resume will:
o
Demonstrate
your superior industry knowledge
o
Highlight
your strong transferable skills
o
Show
proof of value through accomplishments with real bottom-line results
Investing
in the services of a resume writer will help you craft a targeted marketing
message that gets you noticed as a top candidate by employers, no matter how
many local people apply.
Challenge #3: Long-distance interviews
There
are a lot of downsides to long-distance interviews, both for you and for your
potential employer. Someone has to pay
the cost of travel. You have to maintain
confidentiality without arousing your current employer’s suspicions as you take
time off for the interview. And the time
involved is much different than just taking a long lunch. Is it worth it for you to use up your
valuable personal leave for a gamble that might not pay off?
Solution: There
are many interview strategies that can actually help you maintain the
confidentiality of your job search and use the travel/interview time to maximum
efficiency. Hiring a career coach
to tailor these strategies to your particular job search situation can make
your job search shorter and more effective.
With the guidance of a career coach, you can minimize your risk while
improving your job search skills.
While
no one enjoys embarking on a long-distance job search, there are many ways to
make it easier on yourself. Investing in career coaching sessions
and a professional resume can make your job search easier by providing
you with a road map to get you exactly where you want to be. With this valuable tool in your back pocket,
you’ll travel the career roads with ease, no matter which city or job you
choose. And that type of guidance is
always worthwhile.
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Deborah
Walker, CCMC
Resume
Writer ~ Career Coach
To
see resume samples and read more job-search tips visit www.AlphaAdvantage.com
Email:
Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com
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