Moving without a job? 11 tips to get your budget and career on track

If you want to move to a new city but the right job opportunity isn’t available, it’s still possible to make a significant change. Whether you’re a new graduate or a corporate veteran ready for a career change, moving somewhere without a steady income might seem nerve-racking. Thankfully, there are some strategies you can try that might make moving without a job a bit more smooth and efficient.

Keep reading for 11 tips to help make moving without a job a little easier.

1. Be realistic about the home you can afford
2. Build your savings as much as possible
3. Become a budgeting guru
4. Earn extra cash through side jobs
5. Research employers with an open mind
6. Upskill while you’re looking for jobs
7. Become a networking pro
8. Update your resume
9. Follow local companies you want to work for
10. Reach out to external recruiters in the area
11. Stay positive and persistent

1. Be realistic about the home you can afford

Don’t overestimate how much you can spend on accommodations in your new city or town. If possible, stay with friends or family to avoid paying rent while job hunting. If this is not an option, look for affordable housing. You may even want to find a month-to-month rental option so you don’t lock yourself into a contract before you have a job. Try using a rent vs. buy calculator to see what might make the most financial sense for you.

2. Build your savings as much as possible

When moving without a job, a solid safety net of savings can be helpful. Try to set aside at least six months of living expenses before you move. The idea is to have enough savings so that you can focus on finding a new job without needing to stress about not having an emergency fund.

3. Become a budgeting guru

After arriving in your new city, begin tracking your monthly expenses for an accurate idea of your new cost of living. Essentially, you need to make sure your future projected income will be able to support your lifestyle. This includes your rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utilities and other essentials.

4. Earn extra cash through side jobs

While looking for a full-time position, you may find it helpful to earn some extra cash from side jobs and passive income streams. The little bit of extra money may provide a sense of security that makes your job hunt a little less stressful. Additionally, if you have enough income from side jobs or temporary part-time work, you may feel less rushed to find any job to pay the bills and avoid settling for a job you don’t actually want. 

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5. Research employers with an open mind

While you don’t want to settle for a career that’s not aligned with your goals, remember to be open and flexible when researching employers and specific positions. For example, if a job opens up that’s in the correct field but isn’t the title you want, it may still be worth taking a look. You may be able to grow within the company. Even if you don’t get your dream job, it can be helpful to have a steady source of income sooner rather than later so you avoid depleting your savings.

6. Upskill while you’re looking for jobs

Use the downtime you have between applying for full-time positions and working on your side jobs to upskill yourself and get new certifications. Making yourself a more attractive candidate can help you stand out during the application and interview process. It could even help you increase your earning potential.

7. Become a networking pro

Look for any in-person networking events in your new area, or check online if you can’t find anything in-person. For digital networking, optimize your social media profiles, consider attending virtual career fairs and use best practices for online communication. Build your professional network as much as possible — you never know who may reach out with a job opportunity.

8. Update your resume

Remember to update your resume in preparation for the job-hunting process. Many employers use an Application Tracking System (ATS) to automatically screen resumes for candidates that match the job application. ATS systems look at resumes differently than a person would, so be sure to write your resume with ATS systems in mind — you can try tools like Jobscan to see how an ATS system might view your resume.

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9. Follow local companies you want to work for

If you know a few companies you’d love to work for in the new area, do your best to connect with their team or stay in touch. You can do this by following the company on LinkedIn, asking to connect with the hiring manager or other employees on LinkedIn, or by regularly checking the company website for career opportunities. If they know you’re interested in working with them, they might reach out to you when a job opportunity opens.

10. Reach out to external recruiters in the area

Some companies work with external recruiters to help them fill open positions. These recruiters might work for an agency that fills positions for several companies — meaning one connection could possibly refer you to various positions in a field or area. To find recruiters on LinkedIn in your desired field or location, try searching for “Recruiter,” “Recruitment” or “Headhunter” in the search bar and narrow your search using filters.

11. Stay positive and persistent

Finding a new job can take about three to six months on average, so if your job hunt is taking you longer than you’d hoped, don’t give up. Rejections and other setbacks are a natural part of the process. Continue to apply for jobs, hone your skills and update your resume. Staying positive and persistent is essential for the job-hunting process. 

What’s next: Save up for courses and certifications

Moving without a job might be challenging at times, but it’s definitely a change you can make with proper planning and persistence. If you have courses or certifications you can pursue that might make you a more attractive candidate in the job search, remember to make saving for any fees part of your planning process.