LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB IF YOUR SPOUSE IS WORKING

I know that there are many of you who are looking for new jobs or are looking to change your career, but are concerned about your options because you are married.  Those looking for new employment are legitimately concerned about whether their spouse will be able to get a new job if relocation is required. 

So what is the best approach for the two income family, in which one spouse is looking for a new position and knows that relocation will be necessary? 

If you and your spouse have decided that your source of income is primary, and you are the one who is seeking a job, then it will be necessary to find your spouse a job near your new home.  Your spouse needs to do 3 things:  1)  Find out what kind of industries and/ or companies are located near your new home; 2) Contact as many of those companies as possible and 3) track the job listings for your new location in the on-line job boards and local newspapers. 

FIND AND CONTACT POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS 

 As you may have done (or are doing) during your search, your spouse should visit your local library and refer to the Industrial Directory for the state or states you are likely to relocate to.   He/she should then find out what companies are in nearby communities, get the names of key managers at each of those companies from the Directory, and begin writing networking letters, as we have discussed in earlier posts.

He/ she should then follow up to make appointments to visit those contacts.  These appointments can be arranged, if opportunity presents itself, to coincide with your in-person interviews with your prospective employer and/ or visits for follow up discussions and house hunting trips. 

PUBLISHED OPENINGS ARE ALSO A GREAT SOURCE OF LEADS 

In addition, your spouse should not ignore the on-line job sites and local newspapers.  Answer those ads and listings, as well, targeting opportunities near your likely home location. 

Your spouse can conduct his/her search in parallel to yours.  He/she will likely be starting later than you, so employment might come some time after you start your new job.  One thing is certain, however, with a targeted effort, your spouse will either get a job at the same time you do, or not long after you start your new job. 

Your spouse should not delay their own job search once you have decided that your next job will be located in one of a few places. 

I hope this is helpful.  If you have any questions, let me know if you have any questions at execmgmt.search@gmail.com.