Moving out-of-state, or even your city, for a job can seem a little intimidating. You are entering brand new territory in terms of employment and living situations. While choosing where you live is entirely your preference, there are some things to be cautious about when considering a job where you don’t live. Whether you’re moving altogether or choosing a longer commute, here are some tips to stay informed and in control of your long-distance job search.
Interviewing for a job that is long-distance can entail e-mailing, phone interviews and even video chatting. To ensure that you have the best experience during these interviews, it’s important to make sure that you have the proper equipment that will perform optimally. If you don’t have a desktop or laptop with a built-in webcam, there are plenty of high-quality low-cost connectable webcams to choose from. Also check if your computer requires you to buy a microphone, or if there is one built-in. Chances are that if you have to buy a webcam, a microphone may be needed as well. Conducting multiple camera, microphone and video quality checks will keep from having problems in the future.
Note that even if you have all the proper equipment, your internet connection is the most important. Make sure that all the proper cables are connected and that your modem is performing correctly before initiating any type of call. WiFi strength can waiver, so make it a preferred practice to plug your computer in directly through Ethernet cable.
When applying for a long-distance job, just as any job right next to home, you may be required to have a face-to-face interview. This could include various traveling costs from plane or train tickets and hotel reservations. These types of arrangements may not be affordable for everyone. You have two options when it comes to traveling for an interview:
1. Checking with the interviewer to ensure that you will be reimbursed or
2. Arranging for the interview to schedule and pay for all accommodations up front.
As anyone knows with traveling, there are plenty of costs that aren’t included when originally reserving a hotel or buying a ticket of transportation. A con to agreeing with the interviewer to reimburse you for this can be tricky because you won’t always know when the money is going to come. If this is the decision that you and the company agree upon, make sure to stay on top of this and document every single purchase related to commuting for your interview.
When it comes to deciding where your next job will be, consider the factors that go in to traveling for work. Do you have the necessary equipment to complete interviews and have adequate communication with your interviewer? Will you commute to this job or will you have to uproot your life somewhere else? Anticipating issues that may arise during your search will help keep you in control of your journey.
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