Job seekers looking to grow their careers with quality employers might have to look farther than their normal commute range. Geographic challenges can range from companies hiring across town to employers offering positions across the country. Depending on your field and your vision for your career’s future, you may need to embrace creative solutions to overcome these challenges.
Job seekers often face geographic hurdles as they search for positions that are engaging and provide growth opportunities. Here are a few options if your dream job is farther away than you expect.
Common geographical obstacles for job seekers
Geographic obstacles are as diverse as the cities and regions of the United States itself. This means job seekers might face one or multiple challenges in their search for the next step in their careers. Here are some of the most common geographic challenges they face:
- Your dream employer is in another state or city.
- You need to stay where you are because of your spouse or kids.
- The commute to your ideal company is too far.
- Your current city doesn’t have many opportunities in your field.
- Economic trends are affecting your local job market.
Fortunately, each of these challenges has a solution. Every problem comes with opportunities to succeed. Here are a few ways to overcome geographic challenges so you can start the next chapter in your life.
1. Expand your range to include new areas
In 1986, nearly 42% of Americans moved for work to find lucrative jobs in their field. As of 2023, only 1.6% said the same thing. Fewer Americans are relocating than ever. This might be due to the cost of relocation. Whether you’re renting or buying, it can be incredibly expensive to find housing in a thriving city that has job opportunities.
If your current location doesn’t have as many work opportunities in your field as you would like, consider expanding your search outward. Look further away from home than you have been. Include nearby cities and areas in your state you’ve previously ignored. If it’s financially feasible to do so, you could move to a new location and start the job search there, or look for a company willing to help with relocation.
Looking slightly further afield can help you apply to a fresh pool of companies and a larger number of employers. It can also make your resume stand out. Your commitment to finding your dream job, even if it means widening your search, could make your application more appealing.
2. Look for remote work opportunities
Experts estimate that 35% of the total working population can clock in remotely. About 22 million Americans work from home all of the time, which expands their geographic hiring pool to the entire country. Searching for remote work opportunities could be ideal if you are unable to move because of your spouse’s job or your kids’ school district. This is also a good option if your current town or city doesn’t have many opportunities in your field.
Even if your employer is in the same town, remote work can be beneficial. You might take on a hybrid schedule to reduce commute times. In this case, you would only drive to the office a few days each week.
3. Find places where your desired jobs are most lucrative or prevalent
Your current town or city might not have ample jobs in your desired field. For example, high concentrations of hospitality jobs are often found in tourist destinations while industrial warehouse jobs are often found near major transportation hubs because goods and materials can easily be shipped across the country.
Consider moving to a city known for having major employers in your target field. For example, medical professionals might seek out Minneapolis because of the Mayo Clinic or Baltimore because of Johns Hopkins. They would look for the cities with the best hospitals.
You can also move to a larger or high-growth city than your current home. Cities like Dallas and Austin in Texas will have more employers and ample job opportunities than smaller towns. You don’t necessarily need to move across the country. A small transition to a different city could be all you need to launch your career.
4. Anticipate shifts in the job market in different areas
Even if your current city doesn’t have many job opportunities in your field, track industry trends to see where employers are going. Future employers might move to your city or you could discover an industry hub that is closer than you think.
For example, people who wanted to work in tech used to move to San Francisco or Seattle in droves. However, researchers have found that Austin and New York City are currently attracting more technology companies that need to hire tech talent.
The same concept applies to the hospitality industry. Travel trends change and the new coolest tourist destination could be closer than you think. You could have a thriving hospitality career without moving far from home.
5. Be aware of local resources in different areas
You don’t have to look for a new job on your own. Your ideal town or city to live in may have job fairs, local community resources, and career coaches who can guide you through the application process. The organizations that manage these resources are staffed with people who want to see you succeed.
If you plan to move to another city that is a hub for your industry, seek out employment support resources before you arrive. If you are staying in your area, see what your local organizations have to offer. You might be surprised by the resources at your fingertips.
6. Have a specific plan for your career trajectory
Before you pack up and move across the country, reflect on your career goals and future plans. Not only do you want to find a job that is a good fit in the short run, but also a career that supports you for decades. For some people, their life goals involve staying where they are. For other people, they involve living in other states or cities.
Consider finding a mentor in your career field who can share advice about how they reached their goals. They can guide you to make decisions about your current trajectory and future goals.
Know that if you choose the wrong place to move or find a company or career where you aren’t happy, there are always opportunities to change. Small missteps are a natural part of life and you can shift your goals to eventually step into a career you love.
It can be frustrating to discover that your dream job is across the country or too far across town. However, you have options. From looking for remote work to moving for your career, you can find a job that is fulfilling, challenging, and nearby. Consider each of these solutions to choose the best one.
