It’s hard to keep your cool during the hunt for a job, especially in our current economic climate. I recently heard a story from my friend: See if it sounds similar to one of your own stories, or some one you know. He took a red-eye flight across the country for a job interview and became so mentally distracted that he managed to leave his best suit behind. With little money and no time to buy another one before the interview, he was  quite sure he was doomed until he checked in to his hotel room to find that his suit has beat him there. Seems someone back home had the presence of mind to overnight it to him.

 I don’t think anything represents the tension that surrounds our current everyday lives more than the worry and absentmindedness that comes with looking for a job, and, for many others, the risks of starting a new career when there are few options to choose from. Statistics show that in some cases a company will receive 300 more applications than they can fill for every entry-level job opening they offer.

As jobs become harder to secure for recent college graduates and young adults who need employment, the idea of traveling to unfamiliar territory makes its way into the picture. And it has indeed become the new trend. Though the move can be as simple as the one from New York to Boston, reports have shown that certificates to teach English as a foreign language have grown tremendously in the past couple of years, as they prove to be a viable option for those not only looking for a livelihood, but also looking for a bit of a change from living on U.S. soil.
 
While it’s easier to replant yourself if your responsibilities and commitments are few at your home base, there are many things to consider before traveling for employment. Is it the right option for you? And if it is, how can you ensure success and remain calm while making the transition?

If you don’t have anything holding you back and there’s nothing in your field at home, then definitely begin looking into other cities and states for employment. But make sure you do your research. Climate, cost of living, and distance from family and loved ones are all things that must be considered before taking the leap. In the long run, being unhappy in a new environment will cost a lot more and ultimately outweigh not having a job. I’d suggest investing in a short holiday to the cities you narrow down.

Amalia Bradstreet, a recent college graduate who was deciding between pursuing a life in either New York or Los Angeles suggested, “Don’t feel like you need to settle on a city. You need to feel comfortable and like the home you choose, or else negative feelings will seep into your work.” The truth is once you gain experience in one place, you can always move again once options open up, as long as you don’t become too invested in that place.
 
The reason why visiting a place is so important is because there are so many little things you can learn from its people that you definitely can’t find in a manual. “We were trying to find a book called How to Move to San Francisco but of course there are none out there,” explains recent college graduate Tom Wilhelm, who is in the process of relocating from Boston to San Francisco, where jobs in the field of new media are plenty. He goes on to explain that he learned so much about the culture of the place by getting out of his comfort zone and talking to the people he met while visiting the Bay Area.

 Of course not all of us can visit a place before moving there. If that’s the case for you, make sure that your field is prominent in that area. Different areas of the country host different types of employment. Be realistic. But do your research. This latter piece of advice is very important. By researching companies fully, you’re able to rule out the scams that make themselves so appealing to entry-level applicants.

Social networking sites are really helpful for young adults trying to find out more information about a specific city or company. On Facebook, for example, the simple entering of either a company name or a city into the search field will yield a lot of information. Most likely you’ll find a user under the name of the city who’ll be well-acquainted with its culture and touristy aspects as well as a different user who works with, say, the area’s government offices; this way, you may observe the differing demeanors and dealings that come with living in a specific location. This is also a great way to meet and chat with “fans” of a city, probably people who live there already, and who can give you all the advice you’d need. This also holds true for companies and fields of interest.
 
When actually traveling for a job, whether it’s for an interview or the big move, there are many things you can do that will help make for a better trip. If you’re interviewing, do the basics: familiarize yourself with the company, bring a list of questions, a clean resume and put on your killer smile. But also pack some vitamins and cold/flu medication. Planes also transport germs and germs make you sick. Sick will not go over well at an interview, so it’s always best to be as preventative about your health as possible. If you’re making the move before a job is secured, know that, like a vacation, nothing will go exactly as planned. Even if your new home is your version of paradise, with plenty of opportunity compared to where you came from, the transition will be bumpy at times. It’s important to not become discouraged.

Putting things into this perspective makes it easier to realize the adventure that comes with being young and having the opportunity to uproot yourself and try something a bit different from what you’re used to. When considering this option and a specific city, ask yourself: Is there a place I’ve always wanted to go to? Will a new environment give me the boost of confidence I’ve always needed to pursue my dream? If you were always interested in marine biology, for instance, and never had the catalyst to move to San Diego to get an internship at the aquarium, learn the tricks of that trade and possibly get the degree at a nearby school, then this may be the perfect motivator.

This isn’t to say it will be easy. It will be hard. (You will need to get the paid internship before you get the job.) But if you make it an adventure, if you treat it like a vacation, when you take the time to try new things and make freedom your new best friend, things will begin to shift and you may very well find your perfect career along the way. So go find a new band to play with in Nashville, or go sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge! With the right attitude, this economic downturn may just be what changes your life for the better if you let it.
   

by Barbara Ford

Photo by Diana Lambdin