Should you find a job before or after you move?
Should you find a job before or after you move? Well, this is the question you can answer only by considering many factors. Where are you moving to? What is the job market like in the country you are moving to? Is the unemployment rate high or low? Do you have any savings that can help you until you find a new job? These questions, and of course, many more, must be answered before you start with any relocation plan. And, no, it is not going to be easy, but it is far from impossible. Hopefully, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to make this decision. So, if interested, keep on reading to find out whether you should find a job before or after the move.
Research the Job Market
First things first, before you start with your moving preparations, you must do a lot of researching. That is, if you want to find out whether you should find a job before or after the move, you should start with the job market research. Naturally, of the country you are moving to. Do it thoroughly and with the correct resources. Start by researching your career options. The place you are moving to probably does not have all the same job positions as the place you are living in now. The next step is to research different companies. See what job role and title you could possibly get. So, if, after researching the job market you found some potential companies and many available job positions, then you can probably find a job after your relocation. If you have not, it has to be vice versa.
Luckily, we live in the age of technology, so researching different job markets from your own home is going to be easy
Check the Unemployment Rate
This is another very important factor to consider. And, again, it is something that is not hard to analyze. Go online and check the unemployment rate of the country you are moving to. Fortunately, today, this kind of information is really easy to find. So, do some more research. Moreover, do not check the unemployment rate of the entire country, but focus on the city you are planning to move to. Check the neighboring cities as well. This is because not every city in the same country has the same unemployment rate. If you realize that the place where you are moving to has a high unemployment rate, you should definitely consider finding a job before your international move. And, if the unemployment rate is close to zero, then, you will have no problems finding a job afterward.
Do You Have Any Savings?
Well, it goes without saying that you will need some savings in order to pay for your relocation, as it does not come cheap! So, after you move, will you still have some of that savings? This is a very important thing to think about. So, yes, this means that you have to do some more research. Start by checking all your credit cards. See how much money you are working with. If you have money only to cover your moving expenses, then it is not advisable to find a job after you move. However, if your piggy bank is full, you will have no problems – move abroad and then start the job search.
Bear in mind that you should check the cost of living in the place you are moving to. If the standard is high, the cost of living will be too. Thus, should you decide to settle down in Florida, or any other place that has a high cost of living, check whether you can live there for weeks or months using money only from your savings, without having any income.
How to Find a Job Before Moving
So, after doing all the research steps mentioned above, let us now tackle the issue of finding a job. In this case, before you move. We all know that in the past, this was pretty much impossible. But, today, with all the top-notch technology, finding a job has never been easier. Here is what you need to do:
- Research different companies.
- Choose one or two that suit your needs the most and contact them via email first.
- Prepare your resume and cover letter. Make sure that both are recent, that is, that both are not outdated. Also, besides mentioning your skill and experiences, tell your potential employer why you have chosen that company, and why you’ve chosen that city to move to.
- Schedule a phone interview.
- Or, schedule a Skype interview. Be sure that you look sharp and professional. Professional and formal wear is a must, even during online interviews or meetings.
- Plan going to the new country at least once for the final interview. Also, plan the cost of that trip too.
How to Find a Job After Moving
And now, let us discuss the other possibility – finding a job after moving. As previously mentioned, to do this, you have to have some savings first. Living in a new city or a new county without any income can be really tough. So, if your finances are in order, and you already settled in, here is how to start looking for a job:
- Know the city – do your homework and research everything about the city you are relocating to.
- Check employment companies – talk to the specialists, ask for their advice.
- Target specific companies – if there is a company you like, do not wait for them to start hiring, contact them politely by yourself.
- Take advantage of your network – networking can be a real lifesaver. Talk with different people, friends, family members, ex-colleagues and employers.
- Submit your resume and cover letter to several companies.
- Always be prepared for an interview.
