Question:

My wife and I want to relocate to California. What’s the best way to begin a job search?

Answer:

While job searching and relocating simultaneously seem daunting tasks, there are several steps you can take to begin your search.

First, don’t make a move without having a job in place!

Next, you can search for jobs online or at the library. You’ll need to use both to find out more about the city you plan to relocate to. The library should have newspapers from those cities. Some of those newspapers may also be published online. You don’t want to just comb the “want-ads,” you want to find out what the cities are like. Who are the movers and shakers? What is the environment like? Read the business sections thoroughly. This will give you an idea of the city’s economic climate. Are there lots of small businesses? Is there only one giant corporation? Who are the players? Who’s moving to what company? The “mover/shaker” sections can be goldmines of information. They can tell you what company is landing the most contracts as well as who the latest company officials are. Get names of companies and executives.

Another way to get names of companies and contacts is through the city’s Chamber of Commerce. The chamber can be a wealth of information, especially if they publish a directory of their members. Directories can often be found online at the chamber’s website. If they’re not available online, the majority of chambers of commerce will let you purchase their paper directories. They are a great resource, because they not only give you names of companies, but also names of contacts and addresses as well.

Once you find out the names of the companies that sound the most promising, you need to find out more specific information about those companies (such as financial information via annual reports). You can research these companies via their web sites as well as through Dun & Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory, Thomas Register, and Manufacturer’s Guide among others. Online tools can include: www.hoovers.com, www.corporateinformation.com, and of course the company’s own website. Additionally, you can use online search engines to find or the company’s address, so you can get an idea of how near the company may be to your new home. You can also see if the companies have stories about them in Inc. Magazine, Fast Company or Forbes.

After you’ve completed this basic research, you’ll have a much better understanding of what opportunities may be available to you as well as the type of companies in the area where you plan to relocate.

Your next step would be to get your resume and cover letter professionally written and start mailing! In your cover letter, let the prospective employer know when you plan to relocate to the area and/or when you plan to be in the area for interviews. You’ve gotten your company names, addresses and contacts from doing the above research. Send your resumes to the company CEO’s. Let them trickle down from the top. More people get a chance to see your name and career goals that way. GOOD LUCK!