7 Tips to Speed Your Long-Distance Job Search © 2007 Michelle Dumas

Tip #1: Looking for work can be difficult. Looking for work long-distance is even tougher! Fortunately, the Internet makes long-distance job searching easier than it has ever been before. Using a job search engine is a great way to find and apply for job openings in the geographic area of interest. Job search engines like Monster can usually be searched by state or zip code.

There are also many websites dedicated to job openings in a particular locale. A well-constructed Google search should find many of these sites for you. You can also find leads for good sites to use in your search through various directory sites. For example, here is a directory listing of job search sites categorized by state: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/statejobslist/Jobs_by_State_List.htm   Tip #2: Modify your resume to avoid looking like an outsider or to give the impression that it would be costly or time-consuming for a company to move you. If you have not yet moved, and your resume still includes a phone number and address from your current home, your resume will almost always be overlooked for an equally qualified local candidate.

When you are targeting a particular geographic area, it is often in your best interest to list a local telephone number on your resume. A very affordable way to do this is to sign up for one of the many VoIP telephone services and request a number that will be local in the area you are moving.

There are also various mailbox and mail forwarding services that will allow you to use an address in the local area to which you are moving, before you actually move there. With a quick Google search, I even found services that will scan and email your postal mail to you, no matter where you are in the world. You may also want to remove the locations of the companies you have worked for from the resume. Just list the company name, your job title, and the dates of your employment to further reduce any red flags that may be raised due to your current location.Tip #3: Be proactive. Locate and proactively target the companies in the area that interest you. You should certainly post your resume on sites like Monster.com, but don't rely on this technique. It is far too passive. Proactively go after the companies that interest you rather than waiting for them to find you. Try contacting the Chamber of Commerce in the area where you will be moving. They are often an invaluable source of information about companies in the area. Here is a directory of Chambers through the U.S. http://www.uschamber.com/chambers/directory/default.htm

The Verizon Yellow Pages is another great source for finding local businesses that you may want to target: http://yellowpages.superpages.com/

Once you have a list of companies that interest you, research each thoroughly and begin networking to get a referral to each.Tip #4: Subscribe to and read local newspapers. You can also read many newspapers online: http://www.newspaperlinks.com/home.cfm. Besides giving you an insider's view on the local area and the business climate, and giving you a great source of information on local job openings (the classifieds) reading the local newspapers can give you leads on companies you may want to contact or individuals you should be networking with. Tip #5: Connections will make all the difference! It can be a daunting prospect to network long distance, particularly in an area where you know few people. But, don't let that stop you! Ask everyone you know for names and introductions to people in the area where you are moving. Networking sites like http://www.linkedin.com are another great way to solicit introductions and make connections.

Shift from a strategy of sending out resumes to an all-out effort to network and conduct information interviews with people at target companies. Plan a trip to the area and line up a series of informational interviews while you are there. Ask for information, not jobs. Your goal with networking is to gather information, get introductions, and make connections. Networking is the single most effective job search technique and this definitely holds true in a long-distance job search as well.

A free account (or premium account for a modest monthly fee) at JibberJobber http://www.bestjobsearchtools.com is an excellent way to keep track of all your networking leads and job search activities.Tip #6: If you have already moved or are especially anxious to move and need some income immediately, working temporarily as a consultant at a company while you job hunt is a good way to make money, make connections in the local area, and prove your worth. If you have the luxury of taking your time in your job search, you may want to consider doing some volunteer work in the community you have moved to. This is another excellent way to establish the connections you will need to network your way to your next job.Tip #7: Use a salary calculator to understand the cost-of-living differences. You should be familiar with salaries in the area in which you are looking for work and be aware of how cost-of-living differences might impact your salary negotiations.

Nationally certified resume writer, career marketing expert, and personal branding strategist, Michelle Dumas is the founder and executive director of Distinctive Career Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents http://www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP Services delivered through http://www.100kcareermaketing.com  Michelle has empowered thousands of executives, professionals, and managers all across the U.S. and worldwide with all the tools and resources necessary to conduct a fast, effective job search. To learn more about her job search products, resume writing services, and career marketing programs, and to sign up for many other free resources like this one, visit her websites.