Job Location
Geographical Preferences
When planning your job search it’s important to identify and develop geographical preferences. A job search should include only locations where you would be willing to live.
It’s also best to identify at least ten (10) locations where you would be willing to relocate. Consider including locations where you have pre-existing networks, this can make job searching on a tight budget easier and more effective.
Write to the Chamber of Commerce in the cities you have selected for pertinent information. Such as information about the city (general area), availability of housing, company or employment information, etc. A directory of all Chamber of Commerce offices is available at most libraries or your local Chamber of Commerce.
Your letter should indicate that you are interested in moving to their city. When requesting information about housing, the community and employment, you can specify your preferences for housing rental or ownership, cultural or sporting activities, indicate your employment goals, etc. When you receive this information, you can begin to analyze the community.
Ask yourself if the area has the quality of living standards that you wish, such as higher education facilities, cultural events, recreational facilities, etc. You can also begin to analyze what cost of living you will encounter in the community. This information is useful when negotiating a salary.
It is important that you have an idea of what level of wages and salaries are paid for the type of work you are seeking in that particular location. Wage and benefit information can be obtained from the local Job Service in that community. Your local Job Service also has a complete directory of addresses and phone numbers for the Job Service offices in other cities. Write to the Job Service office and register for work in the cities you select.
World Chamber Of Commerce Directory
US Chamber of Commerce Addressees
State Boards of Tourism
Convention and Visitor Bureaus
Economic Development Organizations
United States Embassies
Foreign Embassies in the United States
and much, much more...
Look for a copy at your local Job Service, College Placement Office, Chamber of Commerce, or the public library nearest you.
Ok, where to start, first consider locations where you currently have network contacts living. These could be friends, relatives, or professionals you know well and who know the geographical area of your preference. Searching for work in these areas could cut job searching costs such as housing, meals, and transportation. List the community names here:
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Next develop a letter to the Chamber of Commerce in that community. Plan a call to your network contact after you have reviewed the information. If the community appears to meet your needs ask your contact about the possibility of a job search visit.
The next list of geographical locations should be those communities of general interest to you.
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Focusing your job search on specific geographical locations can lessen anxiety during the search. It will allow you to research companies and saturate that particular job market during your job search. It will be easier and more cost effective to schedule several interviews at a one time for that location. Also plan to schedule cold call visits to other employers during non-interview times.
