How To Find a Job in a New City

Updated July 21, 2022

If you are planning to move to a new city, finding a job in your new location is probably one of your primary concerns. However, there are steps you can take to find a job in a new city, even if you haven't yet moved. Being strategic about your approach to finding a new job can help you find a new position more quickly. In this article, we share 12 strategies for finding a new job in a city when you're planning an upcoming move.

How to find a job in a new city

Here are 12 strategies you can use to find a new position in your new location:

1. Give yourself lots of time

Finding a job that you will enjoy can take time, so begin looking for a new opportunity as soon as you know you'll be moving. You can start by updating your resume with your latest work history, skills and other qualifications.

Look online to identify specific companies in your new city that you might be interested in working for. Reach out to previous employers or colleagues who you might want to use as professional references, so you're ready if a potential employer asks. Finally, start looking online at job listings to see what opportunities are currently available.

2. Sign up for job alerts

Many websites offer you the ability to set up email alerts so you're notified when a new job becomes available that matches your specified criteria. If you're looking for opportunities with large corporations, you may be able to set up job alerts with those companies directly. As soon as a relevant job is posted, you should receive an email, making it easy for you to submit your application right away.

3. Start networking

Make a list of friends and family members who live in or around the area where you're moving. Reach out to those individuals personally and let them know that you're moving to the area and are looking for a new position. You can reach out to people on social media, use college alumni networking contacts or even people you know only professionally.

Another way to begin building a network with people who already live and work in an area is to search for groups on social networking sites focused on your industry or for people in your new city. Start conversations with people in the group, focusing on building relationships and answering questions they may have.

Once you begin building connections with people online, it's appropriate to ask if they know of any possible opportunities in the new area. You'll find that most people are happy to help in any way they can.

4. Consider working remotely

If you love your job, then consider asking your employer if you can work remotely when you move. While this may not be an option for every role, a growing number of employers are more than willing to let employees work remotely. If you need to be in the office periodically for meetings, consider whether this is a feasible option based on where you are moving.

5. Ask for an office transfer

If your company has offices in multiple areas around the state or the country, you may want to consider asking for an office transfer. Start by looking in your company handbook to see if there's a policy related to transferring offices and what it entails.

For example, you may need to apply for a program or complete certain HR paperwork. Next, prepare a list of talking points for when you have the conversation with your manager. Your talking points should cover the benefits of allowing you to make the move and also address any concerns that you anticipate them having.

6. Set your social media profiles for your new city

Employers often look at the social media profiles of candidates, particularly on social networks dedicated to a candidate's career. If you haven't yet moved but are moving soon, then you may want to consider updating your social media profiles to appear as if you have moved already. The added benefit is that if a recruiter is searching online for candidates in that city, you may appear in the search results.

7. Focus on select companies

While it's important to pay attention to the jobs that are being posted, you should also focus on targeting specific companies that you are confident you would like to work for. Then develop a strategic plan to get their attention.

Start connecting with people who work at the company on social networking sites and consider reaching out to one or two of them to see if you could sit down for coffee and talk about their experience at the company. By building relationships with employees who currently work there, you can let them know what you have to offer professionally and learn about positions that may be opening up in the future.

8. Be direct about a pending move

Employers are sometimes more hesitant to consider candidates who aren't currently living in the area. You can often overcome these reservations by explaining in your cover letter that you're already planning a move to the area. While you want to limit the amount of attention you give your move, you can briefly address it by saying something like "As I prepare for my cross-country relocation to [city]..."

9. Be available for interviews

When employers are hiring for specific roles, they often have short timelines for conducting interviews. Be prepared for this by looking for ways to get to the city in advance. If visiting the city requires air travel, identify different airports or airlines you can use to reach the location. This will make it easier for you to rapidly book transportation if you receive a phone call or email from a potential employer.

10. Consider a temporary position

If the right job isn't presenting itself, then another way to earn income and enhance your skill set is to take on a temporary position until you find something more permanent. Employers sometimes have temp-to-perm positions available, where the employee works for the company temporarily for a certain period of time before the position becomes permanent.

11. Talk to a recruiter

Recruiters are always looking for great candidates to fill openings. Consider looking for a recruiter in the town you plan to move to who works in your industry. Not only can a recruiter help you understand the job market better for your industry, but they may also be able to connect you with a great company that's hiring for someone with your skill set.

12. Consider removing your address from your resume

There are pros and cons to having your address on your resume. The benefit of removing it from your cover letter and resume is that it isn't as obvious that you don't currently live in the city you intend to move to. Some recruiters even suggest that candidates remove their address for privacy reasons.

However, it can also be apparent that you don't live in the new city simply based on your work history and the location of your previous and current employer. If you prefer to leave the address on your resume or feel that it's clear that you have yet to relocate, you could make your commitment to moving with a specific timeframe clear in your cover letter.

How To Find a Job in a New City