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How to Look for Work While Moving to a New Place, with Kimi Schiefer

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If relocation is in your future, the time to look for a new job is now. Don’t wait until after the move, says Find Your Dream Job guest Kimi Schiefer. Kimi suggests adding in your upcoming move when filling out your current location on application materials. And while it’s fine to be open to different opportunities, your communication with a hiring manager should stress how much you want the job they’re hiring for. Kimi also recommends using LinkedIn to connect with people in the new city before you move. Having a network in place will be helpful as you navigate a job search in a new location.

About Our Guest:

Kimi Schiefer is a human resources generalist at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Resources in This Episode:

 

Transcript

Find Your Dream Job, Episode 505:

How to Look for Work While Moving to a New Place, with Kimi Schiefer

Airdate: June 11, 2025

Mac Prichard:

This is Find Your Dream Job, the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life.

I’m your host, Mac Prichard. I’m also the founder of Mac’s List. It’s a job board in the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career.

Every Wednesday, I talk to a different expert about the tools you need to get the work you want.

You will not only change jobs in your career; you may change where you live, too.

And doing a job search while relocating has its own challenges.

Kimi Schiefer is here to talk about how to look for work while moving to a new place.

She’s a human resources generalist at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Previously, Kimi worked as a recruiter for an online publisher, a large retailer, and a national staffing agency.

She joins us from Portland, Oregon.

Well, let’s get going, Kimi. What are the biggest challenges you see job seekers face when looking for work in a new city?

Kimi Schiefer:

Getting in the door can be challenging because, of course, you want to include your location on your resume. But if you’re living in a different city, a recruiter is going to look at that. And if you don’t note that you are relocating, you might not even be considered.

So, something I recommend is putting your location, but at least in parentheses underneath putting “Relocating to city x, y, or z” and making sure that it’s very clear that you are relocating.

Mac Prichard:

And why is that, Kimi? Why does a recruiter like you, when looking at dozens, maybe even several hundred resumes, see an out-of-state address and not even consider that candidate for a position?

Kimi Schiefer:

Sometimes we could assume that they’re looking for relocation assistance, whether that’s monetary or something else. So, that’s not always a resource that companies offer.

So, I could look at an out of state or out of town candidate and think, oh, they might want help paying for their relocation, and they might, you know, get to the city that I’m in and they might decide, oh it’s not even about the job, I just don’t like this city.

Mac Prichard:

Are there other concerns besides relocation assistance or worry that somebody who’s new to a city might not like the new place that employers have when reviewing applications from people who are outside the state?

Kimi Schiefer:

Right. There’s a worry that the candidate maybe hasn’t looked at the job properly or the company in order to see where they’re located. So, there’s this sense of like, oh well, did they even realize that we’re in Portland or Denver or wherever it may be?

And we need to remember at the end of the day, the recruiter is a human being. You know, whoever is looking at the resume is a person, and even though we say business is business, a lot of recruiters don’t want it on their conscience if someone comes out to a city specifically for a job and then it doesn’t end up working out for whatever reason.

Then that candidate is stuck in a new city without resources, and that’s just not something that we want to weigh heavily on our minds. We want to make sure that, you know, you’re coming to the city, you’re dedicated to that, not only to the job but to your own relocation.

And so, making it clear that you’re not relocating just for the job is really important.

Mac Prichard:

You mentioned the importance of indicating on your resume that you’re relocating to a specific city where the employer operates.

What if you’re a candidate who’s considering moving to multiple cities? How should you communicate with recruiters what you plan to do?

Kimi Schiefer:

Right. So that is something that I would not disclose to a potential employer. Because intentionality is important for the reasons that I mentioned.

And if you are looking at multiple different locations, I would adjust your resume to reflect the specific position that you are looking for. Much in the same way you would adjust your resume based on the position in terms of what you emphasize on your resume, you really want to make it clear, hey, I am moving to your city. It would be great if I could have this job, but I’m moving regardless.

So even if you’re looking at Denver, and Miami, and Portland, you want to present yourself as someone who is moving to the city in question.

Mac Prichard:

Let’s talk about best practices to follow that you see candidates use when relocating to a new city. One of the things that you encourage, and you already touched on this, is for people to be intentional when looking for work.

Say more about intentionality, Kimi, what do you mean by that? And how can you apply that to your application materials and in your interviews?

Kimi Schiefer:

Yes, I see a lot of job seekers say something along the lines of like, “Oh, I’m open to anything, I like these certain things, but I’m open to whatever.” And really, that doesn’t present yourself in the best way.

It’s better to say, I am looking for an administrative position with an example of, oh, I want to be an administrative assistant, or I want to be a payroll specialist. It’s really about showing that you’re thinking about this whole process and not just taking the first job that will hire you.

It’s better to be specific and, yeah, intentional. You really gotta make sure that the recruiter and the hiring manager know that it’s this specific job that is interesting you. Even if you’re looking at 50 different jobs. You want to present yourself as though this is the one for you.

Mac Prichard:

And why is that important, Kimi? Why does a hiring manager care that you’re interested in this specific job, and why doesn’t that manager want to hear that you’re open to all opportunities?

Sometimes people move to cities and they want to start a job, so why shouldn’t they say, I’ll do anything?

Kimi Schiefer:

Sure, it’s definitely one thing to have that attitude and to be thinking to yourself, you know, I’m open to a wide variety of positions.

But a hiring manager might look at that and think, oh, what if they come and they want to move to a different department, or they don’t want to advance in this position, and so we’re going to end up needing to hire another person.

So it’s similar to the interview question, the common question that’s “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Really, what they want to hear is that you want to stay in this position and follow the track that presents itself with that particular position.

Because if you end up wanting to do something else, then that’s another person they need to hire, another person they need to train. It just presents yourself as someone who’s going to stay in that position for a reasonable amount of time.

Mac Prichard:

And that touches on another point that you recommend people who are relocating to a new place touch on, which is – make sure that your job search goals align with an employer’s needs.

Say more about that. Why is that important for you as a candidate to consider an employer’s needs, especially when you’re relocating?

Kimi Schiefer:

Really, the job search process is about what the employer needs. In the interview process, you know, they don’t feel, not indebted to you, but they want to make sure…the job search process is all about aligning your needs with a business’s needs. Because you can walk into any office and say, alright, I want a job making this much per year, what do you have? And that’s not going to get you very far.

You want to find a need within your particular industry or within your range of interests and present yourself as someone who can solve a problem that a business is having.

That is one of my tips as well is to look for what the industry is struggling with, what the company is struggling with, and present yourself as someone who can solve that problem.

Mac Prichard:

Terrific. Let’s pause and take a break. Stay with us. When we come back, Kimi Schiefer will continue to share her advice on how to look for work while moving to a new place.

We’re back in the Mac’s List studio. I’m talking with Kimi Schiefer.

She’s a human resources generalist at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Previously, Kimi was a recruiter for an online publisher, a large retailer, and a national staffing agency.

She joins us from Portland, Oregon.

Now, Kimi, before the break, we were talking about how to look for work while moving to a new place.

And in the first interview segment, you shared some of the concerns that recruiters like you have about candidates applying from out of state or across the country.

We started to talk about ways to address those concerns. Love to dig in on one of the recommendations you encourage candidates to follow, which is to explain to employers why you want to move to a new city.

Why does this matter, Kimi, and what’s the best way to do it?

Kimi Schiefer:

It shows dedication. And like I mentioned, you know, these recruiters and these hiring managers, they’re people. They don’t want to leave you in a bad position if they hire you and you move and it doesn’t work out for some reason.

Mac Prichard:

Are there typical reasons that you see, Kimi, as a hiring manager, for why people relocate?

Kimi Schiefer:

A lot of people move for their family’s job or their spouse’s job. Say their spouse accepts a role in a state that’s further away, now the other partner needs to find a job for themselves. So we see that a lot.

We also see folks that are just tired of where they’re living and would like a fresh start. That was my case when I was a job seeker. And so, it really, another thing I would recommend, is whether it’s in your cover letter, which is a great resource for this, in your interview process if it comes up, because chances are the hiring manager is going to ask you why you’re moving. So what I recommend is getting specific about why you want to move to that particular area.

So if you’re moving to Portland, you could say, “I really love the food scene in Portland,” or “I like that this industry is available,” and that will really show that dedication and intentionality that I talked about.

Mac Prichard:

I’m curious, are there any reasons that are unpersuasive to employers that might turn them off that you’ve seen come across in cover letters or on resumes, or even in interviews?

Kimi Schiefer:

Maybe the folks that, like we had mentioned before, are just open to anything, open to going anywhere. So if you mention, oh yeah, I just want to get out of here and go to maybe Denver or Seattle or this place. If you’re not intentional about it, then it’s a bit of a red flag.

Because it’s just like, are you applying to wherever, or are you actually interested in this particular position? It’s intentionality. I know I keep harping on it, but that really is what it’s all about.

Mac Prichard:

So, Kimi, I know you’re a big fan of candidates starting early in a job search when relocating to a new state or city. Why is it important to start early?

Kimi Schiefer:

Overall, you’re just going to be less stressed. And you need to limit your stress in the job search as much as you can. It’s already a stressful enough process. Giving yourself enough time to really dig into what roles you want is super important.

And desperation, there’s a fine line between wanting a job and being desperate for a job. And it’s something that employers can pick up on, and it raises the question of like, okay, why is this person desperate for a job? Is there something we’re not picking up on, or is there something that happened in their previous job?

So, if you start early, you’re just going to have more time, which is great cause you never know how long the process is going to take. It could take a month, it could take three months, it could take six months. It’s really unclear in the current market.

So, you really want to give yourself as much time as you can.

Mac Prichard:

And what are some signs of desperation or anxiety you might see in application materials or in interviews among candidates who are relocating to a new city?

Kimi Schiefer:

It’s difficult to describe beyond their vibe and their overall attitude towards the whole process. There are certain things that can come up during interviews, such as like, you know, well, I really need this job, I really need to move to this place. It’s like, okay, what is the reasoning behind that? Did something happen?

It’s like I said, it’s difficult to describe, but I think that hiring managers, of course, everyone is going to be nervous in an interview, but there’s a line between being nervous and being visibly anxious about something.

And really, you just want to present yourself with confidence and with the expectation of, I can do this job, and here’s how.

Mac Prichard:

Every job search is different, but in general, is there a timeline you recommend someone consider when, especially when looking for work in a new place? Should they, should you allow 3 months, 6 months, even 12?

What’s been your experience as a recruiter when you’ve hired people who have come from out of state or outside the city where you’re working?

Kimi Schiefer:

I would give a minimum of 3 months. There’s all kinds of different numbers being thrown around because, you know, it depends on what role you’re looking for, what level you’re at. But I would definitely give a minimum of 3 months.

Mac Prichard:

You mentioned cover letters, that having, giving employers an explanation of why you’re moving, and what the reason might be for the chance.

How much information might you provide in a cover letter? Should you tell a story? Should you just share your plan? What have you seen be most effective?

Kimi Schiefer:

I definitely wouldn’t make your entire cover letter about why you’re moving or that you are moving.

I would put maybe 2 or 3 sentences at the very beginning, you know, saying, “My name is so and so. I’m an administrative assistant with this experience and I’m looking forward to this job. I’ll be moving to, say, Denver for this reason. I’m looking forward to this,” and then you get into stories of work that you’ve done or ways that you align with the job description.

So keeping it, keeping it brief, because you don’t want it to just be “I’m moving to this place and I need a job.” But mentioning it for sure is the way to go.

Mac Prichard:

What about looking for work in particular? You are interested in going to a new city or state. You can find job postings online, of course, but what else would you recommend a candidate do?

Can it be effective, for example, to network virtually through Zoom calls, or should you consider making a short-term trip to the city that you hope will be your new home?

What are your thoughts there, Kimi?

Kimi Schiefer:

LinkedIn! Use LinkedIn. It’s such a standard now that you really can’t afford to not be on LinkedIn if you’re a job searcher.

I would recommend starting to connect with people in your target city as soon as possible. Once you decide that you want to move, you know, see if there’s anyone, if you went to college, if there’s an alumni association there. Or if there’s someone in your industry that you can talk to.

It’s really, people are very open to connecting. I think that folks can be a little hesitant because it’s, it can feel transactional. But just reaching out to someone, saying, “Hey, you’re in an industry that I like. I’m planning to move to this city. Would you be open to talking to me about it?” without the expectation that they’re going to respond.

So, reaching out to as many people as you can, hopefully, folks that you already have a link with. But honestly, shoot your shot. You can connect with someone who doesn’t necessarily have a connection to you, and I’ve formed some really great relationships with folks before I even moved.

So, really reach out and connect. Try to put a face to a name and use the resources that you have, especially on LinkedIn.

Mac Prichard:

And when you make that connection, what’s the next step? Are you asking for an online conversation? And what might a successful meeting look like when it does happen?

Kimi Schiefer:

I definitely recommend getting on Zoom or Google Meet. You know, have a conversation first about why you’re moving, where you’d like to move, maybe neighborhoods.

And then, if they’re responsive and you get you know, a positive impression of the conversation, then say, “Hey I would love to talk to you more about this. Would you be open to a Zoom” or “I’m making a trip and would you like to meet up then?”

Getting in-person is always great. Obviously, that’s not always possible when you’re moving cities. But following the natural flow of the conversation, and then having questions prepared to do a sort of informational interview about any opportunities that might be available.

Mac Prichard:

Well, it’s been a terrific conversation, Kimi. Now tell us, what’s next for you?

Kimi Schiefer:

Yeah, so I’m with Bonneville Environmental Foundation. We’re doing some really great work around solar accessibility. And I’m really excited to see what we’re going to do now that we’re working with the EPA and all our other founders.

Mac Prichard:

Terrific. I know that listeners can learn about your work at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation by visiting your website, and that URL is www.b-e-f.org. And that you also invite listeners to connect with you on LinkedIn. When you do reach out to Kimi on LinkedIn,  I hope you’ll mention that you heard her on Find Your Dream Job.

Now, Kimi, given all the great advice you’ve shared today, what’s the ONE thing you want a listener to remember about how to look for work while relocating?

Kimi Schiefer:

Be intentional. You are applying to a specific job because you want that specific job. So, be intentional about where you’re moving, what you’re moving for, and what the position offers.

Mac Prichard:

Next week, our guest will be Heather Black.

She’s the founder and CEO of Supermums.

Her company helps you achieve a flexible, well-paid tech career after parenthood.

One day, you’re likely to take a career break.

Perhaps you’ll raise children, care for a family member, or deal with a health problem.

And when you’re ready to return to work, you may have new goals. And employers will have questions about your time away.

Join us next Wednesday when Heather Black and I talk about how to relaunch yourself after a career break.

Until next time, thanks for letting us help you find your dream job.

This show is produced by Mac’s List.

Susan Thornton-Hough schedules our guests and writes our newsletter. Lisa Kislingbury Anderson manages our social media.

Our sound engineer and editor is Matt Fiorillo. Dawn Mole creates our transcripts. And our music is by Freddy Trujillo.

This is Mac Prichard. See you next week.