How to Conduct a Long Distance Job Search

The process of a long distance job search can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re in search of a position in another country like Singapore. In order to make this inquiry and investigation run as smoothly as possible, you should keep our 11 tips in mind…

Make Sure the Job Exists

You may start to envision your life in a new place that you love in an area that you also love while you perform your long distance job search . However, upon conducting a search for jobs in Singapore, you may discover that the position simply doesn’t exist in the country. For example, the industry may not exist or be open for foreign workers. Before you get too invested in the job search, make sure that the desired outcome is possible.

Check the Requirements

Even if you do find that your job is available in your target area, the requirements might not be the same. For example, requirements for teaching are often different in different places. Researching the requirements is a smart move, but you should also consider speaking with a representative at the company. You may need to return to school or obtain specific certification in order to qualify for the job.

Review Residency Requirements

Since you are conducting a long distance job search, you are probably interested in moving to the place where the position is located; however, that is not always the case. You may have an interest in telecommuting positions or jobs that allow you to work from home over the computer. In the event that you are seeking these types of positions, do find out if you need to spend a certain amount of time per year on the job site. When the job has this requirement, you will need to arrange a temporary living situation for that time period.

Send the Necessary Information

As far as actually applying for jobs, you should make certain that you’re sending your CV and cover letter by the deadlines. In the event that candidates are accepted on a rolling basis, you may want to plan out your submissions based on your schedule at home. In any case, sometimes the most difficult part is sending out the application because you’re worried about trying a job somewhere that is far away from home. Use the fact that you aren’t required to take the position as motivation to send out the material.

Try the Job

While you might be applying for an entirely new job, you may also be looking at a position located at another branch of your current company. When you already have a job at the company, you could consider expressing interest about switching branches. You may then have the opportunity to see what it is like to work in a different country or part of the country. Also, you may sometimes need to go to these locations for work. While you are there, see if you can imagine yourself working there on a regular basis.

Make Sure Companies Know that You’re Available

The job application might ask if you are willing to move. When this question is already on the form, you do not necessarily need to account for the information elsewhere. In other cases, you must keep in mind that companies may view you as a bit of a risk. Depending upon the industry, you may want to include the fact that you are willing to move in the cover letter. You have to know the industry though. In some fields, more creative freedom is present, and in others, you must be quite specific about what you include in the cover letter.

Know the Processing Time

Imagine that you are trying to avoid moving at a certain time of the year, perhaps six months from now. You send in your CV and cover letter. You haven’t heard in awhile, so you go to take another look at the job posting. In doing so, you realize that the posting actually says that candidates will hear back in about six months. While not all job listings will include this information, you should thoroughly read through the posting to make certain that you are not missing such vital information.

Schedule Your Mailings and Interviews

Trying to know your schedule so far in advance can prove difficult, but try to plan out your life to some degree so that you don’t run into a major issue. For example, maybe you want to move before your children begin their next year of school. Starting the long distance job search perhaps a month or two prior to the ending of the current school year can help you to have a more seamless transition.

Try to Plan Your Interviews Together

Chances are that you aren’t applying to only one company. You likely have a few CV’s to send out. Once you start to receive calls for interviews, try to schedule them for around the same time. While going on more than one or two interviews per day can become draining, you could try to schedule them all within a few days or a week. By doing so, you are reducing the amount of time that you have to take off from your current job. Keep in mind that you might not get the positions for which you’re applying. As a result, you don’t want to create a negative situation at your current job.

Check out Housing on the Trip

Trying to pack so many activities into a short trip can leave you feeling tired, but it will also provide you with the substance necessary to make important decisions about your future. As you are checking out housing in your potential new job, remember that you might need temporary housing when you first move there. For example, if you receive a job offer quickly and want to take it, you may need to live in an apartment while you’re looking for a permanent home.

Be Willing to Move Alone

Everything might not line up perfectly. Everyone in your family may not have the ability to move at the exact time that you need to, particularly because of school and work obligations. When you need to move ahead of your loved ones, take the time to focus on perfecting your skills at the job and finding the right long-term home for your family. The time will likely pass quickly.

Your Long Distance Job Search Starts Here

A long distance job search means that you’ll soon have the chance to live and work in an exciting country like Singapore. Make sure you to submit your CV and to subscribe for future updates and your long distance job search may start producing positive results even sooner than you imagined.