Your Job Search Market As you approach graduation, do you plan to relocate? Many employees choose to move; some want to work overseas. If you wish to relocate, you’ll need to conduct research before you load the moving van. The geographic location you wish to live and work is called your Job Search Market; it is where you will need to concentrate your job search efforts. Below are some questions to get you started. Briefly answer these: 1. How would you feel about going overseas? Ans: Moving would not be an option a. If you would consider an overseas assignment, which countries do you prefer? Which ones would you not consider at all? b. What languages do you speak that would be useful in these countries? 2. If you wish to remain in the United States, which geographic region(s)? (Pick one in reference to other Law Enforcement careers)(I currently stay in Texas) a. What would be important to you in a new location? (Climate, scenery (mountains, beach), environmental (pollution, transportation to/from work), population (large or small), and cost of living) b. So that you know more about one locale where you might want to work, conduct some research to respond to the following questions: 1. What is the cost of living? Typically, your Chamber of Commerce can provide this. If not, do a search on-line. Compare your results to where you are currently living. 2. What is the population? 3. What is the availability of housing? Do you want to purchase or rent? 4. What type of transportation is there? Airport, mass transit, etc.? 5. Environment? Living conditions? Quality of Life? A home page for this geographic area is a good place to research these. 6. Most important, are there jobs available in your field? If so, in what industries? What are some salary ranges for jobs in your field? Again, your job-search web sites can help with this. 3. Are there any issues in your life that would prohibit you from relocating? a. If not now, could you relocate in the future? What would have to change for you to be able to move? Based on the above information, identify your geographic Job Search Market(s), where you are going to search for a job. This can be where you currently live or a new locale. It can be large or very limited, such as a section of a large metropolitan area, a state, a region, or a country.