Looking for a Job? Move to a New State!

The latest unemployment claims numbers, purporting that unemployment in the US is reaching a four-year low, are providing some hope that the labor market may be recovering. And, in some cases, jobs are getting easier to find. Some states report that companies will be adding jobs in 2012. Kiplinger has a list of 10 states adding jobs this year. Those states include:

1. California
2. Texas
3. New York
4. Florida
5. Pennsylvania
6. Ohio
7. Illinois
8. New Jersey
9. Washington
10. Arizona

Kiplinger based this list on net jobs expected to be added in 2012. So, the expectation is that these states will be hiring. For those still struggling while looking for a job in a current state of residence, picking up and moving to a new state might seem like an attractive idea.

What about Cost of Living?

Of course, one of the issues with moving to another state is that it might cost you more to live there. California and New York might be expected to add more jobs than other states this year, but both of those states are notorious for their high cost of living. If you find a job in one of those states, will it pay enough to allow you to meet your expenses?

Many people fail to consider cost of living when they look for work in other states. You might end up with a new job, and with a higher salary, but what about your standard of living? Do the costs involved with your new location offset — or even overwhelm — what you are earning? Cost of living has a lot to do with how “rich” you are, and how much discretionary income you have.

It’s also important to consider the costs involved in moving. If you have to pay to move, including paying for transport of your items, security deposits and more, the financial difficulty involved can increase quite a bit.

Create a Plan

While it might be tempting to just pick and move, in the hopes that you will find a good opportunity in a state where jobs are expected to increase, stop and create a plan. Maybe apply for jobs in that state before you leave. If you read the Kiplinger article, you will find that different states focus on different industries. In Arizona, health care jobs are expected to be on the rise. In Texas, though, a big job increase is supposed to come from a new Caterpillar plant, as well as from a new call center. If you aren’t qualified to work in the health care industry, it might not be worth it to move to Arizona; your skills won’t be in demand.

Before you pull up stakes, examine the job market, check out career websites and pinpoint growing industries. Figure out whether you have the qualifications to be seen as an attractive candidate for the available jobs. If you don’t, moving might be a fool’s errand that costs you money — but doesn’t provide you with a job. Put together a job search plan that takes into account your situation, including your family situation, and then base your efforts to find a new job in a new state on that.