Experience of applying for a job far away from current job

Goberpiles316

Goberpiles316

Goberpiles316

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Has anyone experience of applying for a job that's a long way from the current home and job?

I live on the South Coast in West Sussex and for family reasons I am looking for a job in Wales near Brecon, the thing is I cant just move up and find a job I need to have a job to move, but filling out the application form I am not sure how it looks employing someone who lives so far away, I am a manager where I am now and have to admit when I have employed people in the past the current address didn't really bother me as I just took it that would have thought about that before applying.

Has anyone ever done this before? And how did it go you find it? I have family I can live with in Wales short term so that's not a problem
 
I've done this loads of times, I moved from Teesside to near Derby, then to Keswick in the lake district, then right down to Hampshire (over 300 miles), then right back up to where i am now in the lake district. I've never had any issues getting a job. As a chef, i go for jobs which include accomodation in my renumeration, i have no intentions of moving anywahere soon now though, i'm on a cushty little number :D
 
I moved from Berkshire to Aberdeen, when I went for interview they weren't bothered that I didn't live in Aberdeen. However, the oil industry moves people around a lot so relocation isn't really an issue for them.

I guess it really depends on the company you're applying to and whether you'd think they'd be "spooked" by someone applying from relatively far away.
 
I wouldn't worry about it so long as you have a good explanation when asked (i.e. you show a genuine commitment to relocation). They may ask you things like whether you have discussed this with your family etc i.e. they may be wary of progressing through the hiring stage only for you to change your mind because you hadn't got everything sorted on that side of things.
 
I have, and rec cons aren't a fan of spending time on candidates that may or may not move. It's not going to work in your favour, but if you make it clear that you are definitely moving up you'll be able to allay any doubts.
 
I moved from the North East back to Cambridgeshire after uni for a job, wasn't an issue with potential employers.

Also applied for a job in York whilst I lived in Cambridgeshire, again, it was fine. The recruiter wanted to make sure I was legitimately willing to relocate though.

It's not an issue: go for it.
 
It probably raises the least amount of questions that could be difficult to answer.

I've had people really grill me over why i was leaving my current role, trying to make things sound positive when you're moving because you hate your job can be trickier than just, in my case, explaining i was moving to Newcastle from Nottingham because of my daughter.
 
In many ways it makes life easier. I've always done this. There is no reason for them to exclude you - I would wager most people would assume family reasons even if you didn't actually say that.
 
HangTime said:
I wouldn't worry about it so long as you have a good explanation when asked (i.e. you show a genuine commitment to relocation).
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This. Be aware that you may be questioned on time-scales, such as how long before you would be able to move. If you have family dependant on you they may ask about them as well. I moved from Huntingdon to Manchester a couple of years ago at very short notice and ended up staying in a hotel four nights a week for a month while I sorted out accommodation. Remember to check whether you can afford to live in the new area!
 
Meridian said:
This. Be aware that you may be questioned on time-scales, such as how long before you would be able to move. If you have family dependant on you they may ask about them as well. I moved from Huntingdon to Manchester a couple of years ago at very short notice and ended up staying in a hotel four nights a week for a month while I sorted out accommodation. Remember to check whether you can afford to live in the new area!
Click to expand...

My father and mother in law live in the area so I can live with them whilst our house sells.
 
I don't think I've ever applied for a job where I currently live. Employers seem to be completely fine with it, as long as you show that you are actually aware that you will need to move, and are confident that you can do so without problems.
Many will even offer relocation allowances for you.
 
If it is a good job and commuting is feasible in the short term then may be worth just accepting the job. Given you think only a few weeks to find a house, and you have a months notice, chances are you will only have a very short period of commuting if at all.
 
Simple solution, don't put physical address on resume.

Not that any company worth working for would ever care. Unless the company is based in London then they will be expecting to hire someone from out of town.
 
Most agencies strip contact details from CVs anyway before passing to the employer. It will come up somewhere in discussions before they make you an offer anyway, so I don't see much point in hiding it.
 
My CV clearly says that I am flexible with regards to relocation and international travel. I used to travel all over in my previous role and given I have no real commitments here, I would be happy to move for the right job.
 
I moved from Weston-super-Mare to Birmingham for a job, so about 100 miles north. My employer did bring it up in my interview, but due to me explaining I was getting married and my (to be then) wife had secured her own job in Birmingham already they took me seriously.

Personally I think as long as you have a valid reason for the move and that you are prepare to move, if that comes across correctly in the interview (or CV) then I think you will be fine.
 
I applied for a job about 240miles from where I live (and family are). Had a phone interview 2 weeks ago and have been asked for a face2face interview just today.

One of the key questions of the role on phone interview revolved around "This is quite some distance from where you currently are, why are you wanting to do this?".

Opportunity in that area, no opportunity in local area, exhausted the opportunity in local area, fancy a change etc. All are suitable responses and true.


My big issue is that I need to get a high enough salary to make the move worthwhile - yes, good experience for a huge company, but if i'm worse off per month, it won't be that good for me. Thankfully, the roles i've applied for, in the sector that I work for are mostly shift work, so a modest salary with 25-40% salary shift allowance becomes a very comfortable living wage. Just need to try to get that initial wage higher.
 
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