Double the Fun: Conducting a Dual Job Search

For many new and seasoned student affairs professionals, tis the season for job searching. Soon-to-be graduates, those looking to move up, move out, or just move, and many in between are hitting up job search websites, mentors, friends, and institutional websites to find open positions for which they might be qualified. The job search on its own is daunting. Now throw another human and their well-being into the mix. Whew - double the fun!

For those of us with partners, job searching goes beyond campus fit, geographical location, and income potential. Partners bring support and joy. They also bring the question of finding two jobs in one location. My husband and I went through this very situation last summer. I was in North Carolina finishing graduate school; he was in Texas in his first position out of graduate school. He is a collegiate basketball coach, I am obviously in student affairs. This pretty much means that the dual search will be our story each time one of us is ready to move up or move on. Preparing to search for a job knowing I was moving to his location raised many questions. Based on our experience and insight from mentors and friends, here are some things to consider:

Disclosing your Motive

The first thing that concerned me was if, when, and how to let employers know that I was moving to the area because my partner was already there. Nearly every person I asked gave me a different answer. Some said write it in the cover letter. Some said mention it in the phone interview. Some said talk about it on campus. Some said to avoid the topic until after the offer comes and/or once you start the job. Cool, thanks for the clarity. Throughout applications and various stages of interviewing I finally settled on going with my gut. For some positions, I mentioned in my cover letter that I was relocating for personal reasons. For others, I mentioned it at some point during the interview if I felt comfortable. There are pros and cons regardless.

 One challenge with stating your relocation in the cover letter is still being able to convey your preparation and interest in the position without seeming like location is most important. One pro to this is getting it out in the open from the get-go. We (hopefully) all know this topic is not something employers can ask about in interviews, but some of us may just simply feel better to state it right away so small talk can include personal tidbits somewhat easier.

A benefit to disclosing information during an interview is having the opportunity to interact with the employers. For me, if the potential colleagues talked about work-life balance, their families, etc. then I felt it was appropriate to let them know about my situation. Sometimes I left it at the fact that my partner was in the area and I was moving to be closer, others I mentioned I was getting married in the summer and was relocating because my partner had a job - one guaranteed income is better than none!

Consider the Other

When a search involves a significant other, it is important to think about what you are looking for but also what they need. Be sure to discuss:

-        Are you a city person?
-        What kind of lifestyle do you enjoy?
-        Renting or buying? Apartment or house?
-        Do you both want a job right away, or can one person move before searching?
-        Is this a long-term move, or a means to a future advancement elsewhere?

Additionally, it is important that you and your partner understand each other’s’ careers. For example, if your partner is a teacher and you are moving to another state, what do they need to do to be certified? If they are in medicine, is there a practice available for them to join? If nothing else, discussing a joint career move is a time you and your partner to learn more about the paths you’ve each chosen.

Negotiating - with your employer and partner

Depending on your transparency with your employer and place you are in with your career, there are some things you can negotiate on behalf of your partner. Employers are sometimes able to cover the costs of moving or perhaps provide funding for temporary residence while you and your partner get settled. Be sure to also get a good feel for the benefits offered at the institution. Are the benefits available to your partner? It may even work out to be more affordable if you and your partner do not share benefits. Senior level professionals may even look into search assistance so your partner can be placed in a job. This option is most reasonable when you are sought out by the employer, rather than openly searching.

The other party you should negotiate with is your partner. While discussing where to live, what job to accept, etc., be sure to share with one another your non-negotiables and areas you are willing to compromise. For me, it was important to be somewhere with several colleges and universities. Since my husband also works in the university setting I had mixed feelings about starting our careers at the same institution. I valued having options. He was kind enough to consider that when he was searching a year before and was able to secure a job in a major city with several institutions. We were able to end up at two different universities in jobs we both love. If you are moving for your partner’s career advancement, think about what kind of positions you’d be willing to take if your dream job is not available. This is a great time to tap into your network and find out what might be open. Although I was the one in our pair moving for the other, I actually found the exact type of job I was hoping for - double win! 

Be True to Yourself

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when conducting a joint search is YOU. In student affairs, we are often taking care of others and we leave ourselves at the bottom of the list. Sometimes it is good to be selfish. Revisit your values. What do you need in a career? Is your partner aware of and supportive of those things? Is fit more important than salary? Public or private? There are ways to find two awesome employment opportunities if you are willing to work as a team. Don’t be afraid to speak up - to your potential employers, to your partner, and most importantly, to yourself.

Hallie Crawford, M.Ed is the Coordinator for Campus Activities at Texas State University. She received her BA from The Ohio State University and M.Ed from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Follow her on Twitter: @hk_crawf, or check out http://arrowsandcircles.blogspot.com/ and https://lifewithcoach.wordpress.com/.