Relocation Cover Letter: Tips from Cover Letter Proofreader

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Are you planning to relocate to a new area or are just open for moving to a new city if the right opportunity arises? In this case, you need to take extra care of your application documents to compete with local job-seekers. If you are curious about how to reflect the relocation in your covering letter or how to write a CV for relocation – read below.

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In most cases, applying for a jobs in other states or overseas is a huge challenge. Including a physical address which is located far away from the job area might be seen as a red flag by an employer. And, just like any other red flag (job-hopping, career gap, etc.), it should be addressed properly on your application documents.

The seasoned experts of our resume writing service can explain any career challenge to your advantage. Our staff writers have 2+ years of experience with resume creation and have helped thousands of clients to land better jobs with quality written, keyword-enriched resumes. So, if you struggle finding an employment in a new city, don’t hesitate to contact us and get your resume and cover letter done professionally.

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Creating a cover letter for relocation

Relocation to a new area is a time-consuming process, so you should start early on. First of all, research the job market in the area where you’re planning to move to make sure you’ll have enough job opportunities to choose from. The best scenario is to relocate when you already have a job offer – it will save you money.

Keep your career level in mind. As a rule, if you are a senior specialist or an executive, you’ll find it easier to get a job in a new city – companies are ready to go to the great lengths to attract highly qualified staff and management. On the other hand, entry- and mid-level professionals might struggle to compete with the local job-seekers who are just as qualified as they are. Nevertheless, it only means that you will need to make extra effort and probably agree to relocate at your own expense. Make sure that the relocation fits into your career plan (if you don’t have a career plan yet, here’s why you need it: http://resumeperk.com/blog/planning-a-future-career-are-you-for-or-against).

Why address a relocation issue in a cover letter?

As a rule, covering letter is reviewed first, and based on what they read the hiring manager decides whether a resume is worth consideration. Moreover, cover letter is more of a personal document and is perfect to refer to any work-related issues that don’t belong to your resume.

Where to mention your willingness to relocate?

There are two popular scenarios for explaining the relocation issue: in the first paragraph of the letter and in the closing one.

The first option works best when the company attracts talents countrywide and relocating candidates there is quite routine. In this case, you can end an introductory paragraph with ‘I am willing to relocate for the job at your earliest convenience’.

However, if you need to explain the relocation in further detail, it’s better to do so in the closing paragraph. This approach is better for companies that typically hire local candidates. Moreover, it allows you to focus on job and qualifications themselves at the top of the letter and therefore give an employer more chances to fall in like with you.

Addressing the relocation issue: tips from professional writers

  • Highlight your connection with an area
    If you have previously lived or studied in the town or  have a family member living there, be sure to inform the potential employer about it. This will let them know that you are familiar with the location and will take less time to accommodate to a new environment.
    Looking for a job remotely often means that you’ll have to pass a lot of phone interviews. Learn how to do a phone interview in the right way.
  • Explain your reason for relocation
    If the company isn’t specifically hunting you, they will be cautious when dealing with candidates applying remotely, and that’s a normal practice. To convince the employer that you’re a safe bet, you need to give grounding for your relocation. 
    If you relocate for personal reason (better climate, moving for your spouse, etc.), give the employer a solid reason that has motivated you to relocate. Highlight that you are moving permanently and are looking for a long-term, full-time position. If you’re willing to move because of higher salary and better career prospects, be sure to emphasize the dedication to your career.
    Curious about the personality traits that instantly make you an in-demand employee? Read the list here: http://resumeperk.com/blog/watch-and-learn-top-15-qualities-of-the-ideal-employee.
  • Show that you’ve done the research
    When creating a cover letter for relocation, you should be as specific about the company and the location as possible. Before writing that letter, do your research on the company and demonstrate the knowledge of the company, its challenges and products in your cover letter. It will show you as a highly motivated candidate and put you top of mind for the hiring manager.
    Additionally, you can highlight your knowledge of the area and its perspectives for your career, if any, to demonstrate that you are serious about your relocation decision.
  • Downplay the location factor
    If you’re not aiming for a top-level role where companies are willing to attract the qualified candidate at all costs, you might need to do some extra work to downplay the fact you’re located in the other state. One of the popular tricks is to use a local address. However, be aware that if you’ve indicated a local address, the employer won’t compensate your travel expenses if you’re invited for an interview, and the chances are that you’ll have to fly for an interview in a rush.
    The better tactic is to say that you’re already in the middle of the relocation process and, if you want that job at all costs, you can also mention that you’re willing to relocate at your own expenses. Therefore, you minimize the employer’s expenses for hiring and your candidacy will be more welcomed.
  • Use the similarities between your previous and potential employer
    The best way to show that the distance won’t discourage you from getting the job is to showcase the similar experience from the past. For example, you might have worked for the companies of the same size in the same industry or handled challenges similar to those requiring from a potential candidate. Demonstrate the results you’ve achieved using figures and percentages. Not only it will convince the employer that you’ve got all necessary experience to succeed in the role, but also will portray you as a hard-working individual (check here for hard work meaning).
  • Make your cover letter flawless
    Ideally, upon a cover letter review the hiring manager should reach out to their phone and invite you out for an interview. Although such cases are rare, a well-written cover letter increases your chances to get an interview call. So, you should put an extra effort into composing the letter until it’s perfect in all aspects.
    Include your most important and relevant experience and highlight the accomplishments to show your orientation at the result. Mention any extra training that qualifies you for the position, academic degree, or volunteering projects. List the relevant skills with examples of how you’ve applied them. If you manage to convince the hiring manager that you’re a perfect candidate, the relocation won’t be a major issue any longer.
    When writing a cover letter, be sure to avoid the don’ts of a cover letter that turn the employers away.
  • Address the language and cultural issues
    Are you planning to relocate to a new country? In this case, mentioning your desire and willingness to relocate are not enough to impress the employer. They need to know that you’ll fit into new language or cultural environment and will function productively in it.
    Therefore, if your dream job is in another country, be sure to specify your level of language proficiency and familiarity with local business etiquette. If you had had any international experience, either in this country or other ones, include it to highlight your adaptability and willingness to collaborate as a part of international team.

There are several ways to mention a relocation in your cover letter – use the method that fits your career situation and company time best. In some cases, one sentence in an opener is enough, and sometimes you’ll need to expand on the issue for a few sentences.

Should I address the relocation issue on my resume?

Typically, your desire to relocate is not mentioned on a resume. However, if the company asks to apply with resume only, you can address the relocation issue at the end of your career summary, i.e. ‘Willing to relocate for the job’.

Want a guide to creating a high-quality resume? Check out how to create an effective modern resume.

Struggle creating a relocation cover letter? Our experts can help

Relocation is a serious step in your career, and finding the job in distance is more difficult than getting hired by a local company. Therefore, you want a cover letter that addresses your relocation issue effectively so that the employer gets interested in your candidacy.

Resume experts of our team are ready to edit your existing cover letter or create a new one especially for jobs that require relocation. We provide quality writing, timely delivery and targeting your covering letter for a particular job posting. Our writer will consider all your requirements and will work at your letter until you’re 100% satisfied as per our satisfaction guarantee. You can also get your resume, CV, and LinkedIn profile created and be totally prepared for job-hunting. We keep our prices moderate: check out our resume packages and discounts.

Have you ever written a cover letter for relocation?

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