Relocation might be necessary, but be prepared to pay for it yourself

However, do understand relocation will be coming out of your own pocket. “Companies rarely, if ever, will pay for you to relocate for an internship or an entry-level position,” said Stephen Viscusi, founder of www.BulletproofYourResume.com.

 

But, how can you make it clear to potential employers you are willing to relocate and at your own expense?

 

1. Be upfront about your situation. “Employers want to know why you desire to move to where the job is located. If this information is not readily apparent from your résumé, make sure to mention in your cover letter why you want to relocate to the job location, whether the reason is for family ties, better weather, your love of the city, or something else altogether. Be honest and upfront about your reason to relocate, and make sure to have it on the tip of your tongue when interviewing—the question of ‘Why do you want to move here?’ is very likely to be asked,” said Wes Henricksen, president of Seize the A.

 

Vicky Oliver, author of “301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions,” adds, “When hiring budgets are being slashed, letting a company know that traveling to their state is on your itinerary is a smart move. This way, the hiring manager recognizes that the company won't need to pay for your travel expenses.”

 

2. Find someone local. “If you have a friend or relative in the town where the job or internship is, you should mention that in your cover letter. You want the potential employer to know it's fast, easy and cheap for you to relocate,” said Viscusi. “Understand that employers want your full concentration. They know that young people tend to promise more than they can deliver when it comes to finding a place to live, eating and having a normal life. So, don't underestimate your ability to convince them that relocating at your own expense is enough. It is better to illustrate an example of a friend or relative living in the town and/or how you plan to support yourself during an internship that doesn't, oftentimes, pay.”

 

3. Show your adaptability. “Be prepared to provide an example in your recent experiences showing you can adapt to changing circumstances and thrive in new environments,” said Kent Healy, an author and leader on student and young adult success.

 

4. Do your “pre-destination” homework. “Tell the employer you’ve not only researched the company and the position, but the local culture of the city—the three P’s, people, politics and play,” said Lisa La Valle-Finan, creative director of getGlobalized.

 

Bob Portale, president and CEO of RELO Direct, adds, “Demonstrating not only a willingness to move but also an awareness of cost-of-living and other lifestyle information in the destination area can distinguish a candidate and make him or her more appealing to an employer. “If a candidate has gone to sites like RELOHomeSearch.com to gather area information and conveys their understanding of and enthusiasm for a new area in their cover letter or during an interview, it shows a level of seriousness that appeals to an employer. A company does not want to go through a lengthy interview process only to discover someone is not fully prepared to make a move. If a person has done a self assessment to determine that he or she is a good candidate, it saves the employer time and effort, which can be very attractive.”

 

5. Make yourself available. “State you can be available within two weeks to start,” said Robin Ryan, author of “60 Seconds & You're Hired!”

 

Join me and J.T. O'Donnell, a caeer coach, workplace consultant and founder of Careerealism, for a free, live, online chat about crafting winning cover letter and résumés for internship and entry-level job candidates. The chat will begin at 4 p.m. EST / 1 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Click here to register.