Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Considering relocating for job?

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If you are having a hard time finding a job, have you considered relocating? It’s not always an easy or obvious choice, but in some cases, being open to a relo may be just the change you need to land an opportunity.

Consider Indeed.com’s ranking of the “number of unemployed per job posting for the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S.” While these statistics can be a bit misleading (they indicate the number of jobs per the number of people without specifically taking into account the types of job), they list the following as the best U.S. cities to find work:

  • Washington D.C.
  • San Jose, CA
  • Baltimore, MD
  • New York, NY
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • Oklahoma City, Ut
  • Hartford, CT
  • Boston, MA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Austin, TX

Another recent listing of places to consider working is from a study reported by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com/CNN by Apartments.com and CBcampus.com, which list the top 10 cities for new grads are:

  • 1. Atlanta – Average rent:* $723: Popular entry-level categories:** sales, marketing, customer service
  • 2. Phoenix – Average rent: $669: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, training
  • 3. Denver- Average rent: $779: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care
  • 4. Dallas – Average rent: $749: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care
  • 5. Boston – Average rent: $1275: Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, training
  • 6. Philadelphia – Average rent: $938: Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, health care
  • 7. New York – Average rent: $1,366: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, marketing
  • 8. Cincinnati – Average rent: $613: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management
  • 9. Baltimore – Average rent: $1,041: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management
  • 10. Los Angeles – Average rent: $1319: Popular entry-level categories: sales, training, health care

Anthony Balderrama, from CareerBuilder’s The Work Buzz suggests these questions to consider when evaluating a move:

  1. What is the entire cost of the move itself?
  2. What is the comprehensive cost of living adjustment?
  3. When is your last day on the old job and your first day of the new one?
  4. What are your career opportunities in this new city?
  5. What does saying “no” to the relocation mean for your career?
  6. If you’re switching employers, what are your career opportunities at the new company?
  7. Do you want to move?

Giving a move serious consideration? Be sure to visit the Riley Guide’s list of resources if you are planning to make a career move. Links include cost of living calculators as well as moving companies!

photo by mattindy77

Body language matters in your job hunt

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I’ve been writing about listening skills last week don’t miss 7 tips to become a better active listener and 6 ways to become a better listener. One point that came up several times – body language is an important element of good listening. Think about it – eye contact, nodding, leaning in to listen – all of these help your conversation partner recognize how engaged you are and helps him or her feel valued as part of a conversation.

Body language may be more important than you think in a job hunt.

Kate Lorenz wrote about the topic for CareerBuilder.com. She said:

Research has shown that the first impression you make on an interviewer really sticks. In one study, untrained subjects were shown 20- to 32-second videotaped segments of job applicants greeting their interviewers. When the subjects rated the applicants on attributes like self-assurance and likeability, their assessments were very similar to the interviewers’ — who had spent more than 20 minutes with each applicant.

Seems like focusing on your body language – and first impressions – matters – a lot!

I once wrote a term paper about the importance of body language. The quote I remember from it,

“Don’t underestimate the power of body language,”

from The Little Mermaid, is no less true today!

(Yes, I really quoted a Disney movie in my paper. It worked.)

Did you know that people who are positive and confident outperform their peers in their job searches? Research shows that persistence and a postive attitude pay off in the job hunt. You can always pick out a pessimist by his or her body language – slumped shoulders, eyes down, expressionless (or frowning). No one wants to hire someone who seems sad or pessimistic. Straighten up, smile and make eye contact. Your body language speaks louder than your words.

In fact, research also shows that body language makes up more than half of how our communication is perceived. That means that you may be describing your greatest business accomplishment, but if your posture isn’t good and you don’t make effective eye contact, you might as well tell the interviewer about the time you lost your portfolio on the way to a presentation.

Another telling body language tool is the handshake.

How many times do we have to tell you – strong and firm gets the job done! BusinessWeek wrote about several different types of handshakes to use and some to avoid. Eye contact along with a firm handshake can make a world of difference to how you are being perceived.

Remember – the little things matter.

In fact, the “little things” may actually be the BIG things! Focus on every aspect of your presentation to ensure that you put your best foot forward with your job search.

photo by Gerwin Filius