I am a Student who Wants to Apply for a Job in Another City

If you are a student at university, you may be thinking about your career plan for the future and considering job prospects in your respective field. Whether you are starting out in the workforce, switching industries or continuing in the same line of work - you may be considering a move to launch your career.

If you have the flexibility to relocate for a job you are in an ideal position. Many job seekers are tied down with commitments and responsibilities in their community and are unable to leave. As a resume writer, I work with many student job seekers who are willing to move across the country to secure work. If you are in this position, there are some important things to know about crafting your resume so employers don't discount your application because you aren’t local.

Change your location on your resume

There is no need to list your complete address in a resume. Gone are the days where you had to give your complete address including postal code and apartment number. For application you are sending to another city, list the city in your resume header instead of your actual address. For example, if you live in Vancouver, BC and want to move to Toronto for work after graduation – list Toronto, ON as your address instead on Vancouver.

This would look something like this:

Stacey McLeod

Toronto, ON

Email: Stacey.mcleod@gmail.com

Phone: 604 659-9908

Identifying that you live in the city you are looking for employment in will minimize the chances that HR will eliminate your resume for consideration. The reality is that many employers rather pick from a local pool then worry about the hassle of getting you in for an interview. Show them that distance will not be a barrier for shortlisting you.

Negotiating the interview

So, let’s assume that you went ahead and followed my suggestion above and received a phone call to attend an interview in Toronto, ON. Now what?

The whole purpose of your resume is to convince employers that you have the requirements for the job and to get a call for an interview. If you have made it this far- your resume has done it’s job. Now, it is up to you to negotiate how you participate in the interview process and clarify with the caller (HR/recruiter) that you have not yet relocated to Toronto.

This may sound something like this:

“Yes, I would be grateful to attend an interview with your company. Firstly, I want to clarify that I will be moving to Toronto very shortly as I have family in the city and intend to settle there. Presently, I am finishing my studies in Vancouver and would be very much appreciative if I was able to conduct the interview via Skype or another remote option of your choosing. If this is not possible, however, I am 100% willing to make the trip for the interview”

If the caller cannot accommodate your request for a remote interview, be sure that you are in a financial position to follow through on your word and fly out to the interview. If you are not in a position to bear this expense, avoid making the offer.

The good, the bad and the ugly

Let’s start with the ugly news. The employer may say ‘no’. The bad news is that many employers will not accommodate your plea. Companies often have set rules about how interviews are conducted and will not deviate from these traditional approaches.

The good news, however, is that you probably wouldn’t have even made the shortlist if you hadn’t identified that you were a local candidate. Take solace in this. Additionally, getting a call back is a good sign that your resume is doing an excellent job of conveying your expertise in a way that employers are responding to. This is a good feedback mechanism and should be used to reinforce the effort you are putting into developing your resume.

In summary, if you are looking to secure a job outside of the city you currently reside in, consider listing the new city in your resume to increase your chances of being shortlisted for your dream job!

If you need help crafting a resume, contact us to find a resume writing package that will suit your needs.