When deciding on accepting a job offer out of state… think twice before you leap. Despite troubling economic times, you could be bringing a heavy burden on yourself and your family if you don’t consider all options.
It’s important to consider a number of factors other than the job offer. There are many important things to pay attention to, including the number of open positions a particular state, the cost of living, school districts, company stability, living environment, and so on.
Of course, when deciding the best states for job hunting, we all know that it is a matter of your personal opinion; however, the important thing to remember is that you consider several factors before packing your bags. A few of them are the following:
1. Research the states that provide the best job opportunities for your industry. You must avoid states that do not offer several positions or job opportunities in your field. Unfortunately, many job seekers have moved their entire families to a different state, only to find themselves being laid off within a few weeks because the company was not financially stable or was up for sale. Therefore, always plan ahead and make sure you have several jobs available in your industry and state, and however possible, make sure you research the company financial stability.
2. Consider the cost of living in a particular city or state before you relocate. Making $30,000 a year in Arkansas might sound promising; however, moving to California for a $5,000 salary increase might make sense on paper, but certainly not in the “quality of life” you would have due to the increase in housing costs and living expenses.
3. If you have a family, you must pay careful attention to the quality of the school districts, community, etc. When most job seekers consider the best states for job hunting, many do not pay much attention to the school district they will live in—that is, until they have children, or begin school registrations. If you have to move further away from your company to get into a better school district, consider that before moving, and include that information as a part of your negotiations for living expenses.
4. Finally, when determining the best states for job hunting, make sure you actually like the state. Money does not always equal happiness. If you make a lot of cash, yet hate the state (or city) you live in, it will eventually effect how you feel about your job… and we all know what happens next.
Proceed with caution.
Unlocking Greatness...
Zenja Glass is the VP of
USA Technical Search, Inc.,a reputable staffing firm in Illinois, and Career Author of "25 Reasons Why I Won't Hire You!" and job seekers most requested training guide, "How to Set Up Interviews Without a Resume!" found at
25ReasonsWhy.com. She is also the Co-founder of a national manufacturing job board
USAManufacturingJobs.com. She has been featured on MSNBC, ABC NEWS and FOX NEWS.
