A reader writes:
I am currently employed on the east coast and am looking to move back to my family in the midwest. I intend to apply for employment there a full three months before I would be able to start work. In addition, I must ask for an entirely remote interview/hiring process with a final job offer and acceptance occurring before I actualize the move. How demanding/out-of-line would these needs be for a hiring manager? Note that I will have a contact in the organization and it is an in-demand position (direct support professional).
Applying three months before you’d be able to start work is completely fine; people do that all the time. If an employer needs someone to start work sooner than you’ll be available, you can always withdraw or reconsider your timeline (and if they do seem to be moving quickly, you should ask when they’re hoping to have someone start). But in general, that timing is very normal and, even if it doesn’t match their needs, it won’t seem odd or out-of-touch that you attempted it.
Doing the entire hiring process remotely is more likely to come up as an issue. Is there a reason you wouldn’t be able to fly out at some stage of the process? Hiring managers who see that you’re not local will generally assume that at least some of the hiring process will be done remotely … and some of them will be fine with doing it all remotely, but some will want you to show up in person at some point before they make an offer, even if just for the final interview.
Generally what non-local candidates say in this situation is some version of, “Because I’m in OtherState, I’m hoping we can do the first stages virtually and I’d be happy to come out in a later stage of your process if you prefer that.”
