- Select the geographical area and the destination city in which you want to live.
- Know the type of work you are seeking so that you can conduct a focused search.
- Identify the activities that can be accomplished only by visiting the destination area.
- Identify activities that can be conducted from your present location.
- Do as much research and preparation as possible in your present location (the ideal would be to begin preparing six months before moving).
- Use as many available methods of contacting potential employers as you can: letter, telephone, fax, e-mail, and in person.
- Accumulate a list of at least fifty potential employers to contact. (See the following list of methods for doing this task.)
- Contact the Chamber of Commerce in the destination city for a list of employers.
- Conduct informational interviews with employees in your present location who work for companies which are located in your destination city. Ask the local employees for referrals for informational interviews.
- Obtain a copy of the yellow pages in the city you are targeting.
- Call employers in the destination city and request brochures, annual reports, and other printed materials containing company information.
- Contact your high school and/or college alumni association(s) for a list of people who live in the destination area.
- Subscribe to the newspaper in your destination city. Read the business section and the want ads for opportunities.
- Subscribe to regional magazines which provide information on topics and people of interest in the destination area.
- Attend seminars or conventions in the destination area (or other areas) with professionals in your career field of interest.
- Read trade journals in your career field.
- Polks city directories at the library provide the same information as a telephone book; they can be used when you do not have access to the yellow pages in the destination city.
- Join professional organizations in your field of interest. (See the Encyclopedia of Associations in the library for a list of various professional associations.)
- If you belong to a church or synagogue, see if any members have contacts with churches or synagogues in your destination city. Your minister or rabbi may be a good referral source also.
- Use family, friends, and other members of your network to identify people for informational interviews in the destination city.
- Contact state employment agencies in the destination city.
- Contact temporary and permanent private employment agencies in the destination city or local firms with offices in your destination area.
- Some cities have a Governor’s Job Bank (or other job bank) with job listings of state government and universities.
- Contact county and state government offices in the destination area.
- Use libraries and library career centers for information. Ask the research librarian for assistance.
- Athlete clubs, YMCA, YWCA, and community organizations may be a source of contacts.
- University professors and past supervisors may be another referral source.