Moving On, Or. . . Finding a Job Out of State

Ready to graduate and begin a new career? Want to begin that new career in another city or state? Here are a few suggestions to help you identify employers who would benefit from your skills and what you have to offer.

Make connections in the geographic area you are interested in relocating to. Network to let people know you are looking for a job out of state. Talk to instructors who may know of former students who are located where you want to move.     

Join professional associations affiliated with your career field. Contact officers of those associations regarding the job market and suggestions for your job search as you relocate. Let them know you will be a valuable member of their organization when you move.

Review the WSU Alumni Directory to find Alumni to potentially network with. Find out if there is a chapter of the WSU Alumni Association in the city you want to call “home”. Connect with the President or another officer.

Utilize LinkedIn to make connections and communicate. Join professional groups on LinkedIn, including the WSU Alumni Association Group. Participate in discussions to establish visibility.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce in the city you are interested in moving to. Ask if they have a directory similar to Wichita’s “Book of Lists”. Go through the yellow pages and make note of organizations that could use your skills. (Note: You may be overwhelmed with the number of employers you identify so break your possibilities down into workable groups.)

Use LinkedIn and networking to connect with people at the organizations, or people who may know about, the organizations of interest to you.

It is far less expensive for employers to hire a local candidate. Therefore, make it clear in your cover letter, emails, etc. that you are relocating to their area, have begun the transition and are looking for a job in advance of moving. Establish a mailing address in the city you plan to move to. Get a post office box or use the address of a friend or relative.

Plan a tentative trip. Notify actual and potential networking contacts and employers of interest that you will be in their area on a certain date. Ask to meet with them while you are “in town”.

As in any job search, making connections is crucial. It takes far more effort to connect with people across the country than to connect with people in our city, but the payoff is worth it. Once again the answer to the question “How do I do that?” is “Network”. You have to do it. So. . .what are you waiting for? Get out there. Network! Get a job. . .