How to apply for a job interstate

Is relocation the right move for you? Opportunities can be more abundant for candidates who set their horizons on the whole of Australia. Could you move?

The first thing to be aware of is that each state has its own unique pros and cons and every industry, employer and candidate is different.

Victoria or New South Wales might have more openings in your industry. It might be easier, however, to land a job on the next rung of your career ladder in the Northern Territory, Northern Queensland or other remote areas where fewer people tend to move.

The big decision
It’s a big deal moving interstate for work, there’s no denying that. Before you apply make sure you take all factors into consideration, says Andrew Morris, director at Robert Half. Is the opportunity worth uprooting for? “Moving for a like job doesn’t make sense,” says Morris, unless it’s still contributing to your career progression in some way. “It’s just too physically, emotionally and expensive,” he says.

The devil is in the detail when it comes to moving interstate. Morris says ask yourself the following questions to determine if it’s worthwhile:

• Is the job, company and industry stable?
• How will the move affect your relationships and wider family?
• Is the new salary high enough to cover the cost of living in the new state?

If there are sufficient ticks in the boxes then move to the next step - choosing a location. Some candidates may be willing to head off somewhere remote for the extra money. Others may have growing families or be less inclined to move, in which case they might prefer bigger cities with their schooling and university opportunities, or opt for a fly-in fly-out position. 

How to tailor your cover letter and resume
There are tricks of the trade for landing that sweet interstate job. Your resume and cover letter need to be tailored to the new role and explain why an employer might want to take you over a local candidate. Consider the following tips:

• Address your reasons directly in the cover letter. Explain briefly why you want to move and what appeals about the employer, industry and location. There’s nothing wrong with saying: “I’ve always wanted to live on the Gold Coast,” or “I want to return home and I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity”. Be open and honest. That way the employer won’t think you’re just looking for an all-expenses-paid transfer with the employer being a secondary factor.  
• Tailor your resume to the job. This document should be rewritten for every job, whether you’re moving down the road or to the other side of Australia. What transferrable skills do you have? And how can your existing experience be matched to the key selection criteria? If the role is remote, for example, highlight how any why your experiences in another state are relevant.
• Discuss the practicalities. Let the employer know when you’re available for interviews and the earliest date you can start. Perhaps, says Hays director Jason Walker, let the employer know any dates when you’ll be in town. If you’re happy to pay your own way for a face-to-face interview, make this known in the cover letter. Or suggest a phone interview. Beware of saying immediately that you expect relocation costs. That will push you off or to the bottom of the shortlist, says Walker.

​Finally, moving interstate isn’t for everyone. It’s ok if you don’t want to uproot yourself. There are good opportunities in all four corners of the country. It’s just about finding the perfect one.

To search for an opportunity interstate, head back to SEEK’s Job Search.

This document should be rewritten for every job, whether you're moving down the road or to the other side of Australia.