Spruce up your resume and cover letter for relocation

If you were an employer, would you want to recruit someone from your town or an applicant from three states over? The answer is obvious. When hiring locals, it is easier to set up interviews, and there is no need to be concerned about the costs of relocation. Did you know that more than half of all job seekers are willing to relocate for the right job?

If you are one of those candidates who are open to relocating for the right opportunity, mention it on your resume so that the right employer can notice you.

Mention your willingness to relocate at the top of your resume

The best way to ensure that an employer won’t miss your relocation willingness is to display it at the very top of your resume. Add an asterisk next to your address with a line indicating that you are willing to relocate. Here are some ideas for you to try:

• If you have a specific area in mind – “Searching for a position in the Manhattan area”
• If you can relocate anywhere – “Willing to relocate nationwide”
• If you already have a relocation plan in place – “Relocating to Delaware in May 2023”

Elaborate on your relocation ideas/plans in the cover letter

Unlike on your resume, you can explain your ideas more eloquently on the cover letter. You don’t need to type a whole paragraph explaining how and why you are relocating; you just need to add a simple line that indicates your idea. Here are some examples for you:

If you are targeting a particular area – “Please note that I will be relocating to the Manhattan area in April 2023. Your company admires the same values I do, and the open position presents just the challenge I was looking for. I would greatly appreciate a chance to discuss this with you in person.”

When you are returning to your hometown – “However much I have been successful at my current job, I have been yearning to move permanently back to Jackson.”

If you want to keep your options open – “I am currently searching for an opportunity that is the perfect fit for my career and I am willing to relocate nationwide for the right job.”

Make yourself available for interviews

One particularly important thing when you are applying for out-of-town jobs is to be available for interviews. If you have applied for several jobs in a particular area and have got calls for a few interviews, make arrangements to be in town for a week or so to attend physical interviews. You could also let the employer know about your availability dates in town for them to set up an interview. Or else, you can ask for an initial virtual interview to see if the job is a right fit for you.

Are you going to offer to pay relocation expenses?

Some employers are more than willing to pay for the relocation expenses of their candidates. There are companies that offer spousal relocation assistance as part of their package and even help the candidates find affordable lodging. If you don’t encounter such an employer, offering to pay for the relocation will improve your chances of getting the job. The cover letter is the best place for you to do this. Here are some ideas for you to try on your next cover letter:

• “I am very interested in this opportunity and am willing to pay for all the expenses associated with relocation.”
• “I plan on relocating to Boise in June at my own expense.”