Follow the Leader A trailing spouse’s job is to find a job..

When one family member transfers to a new city, the trailing spouse must find a new job, too. That’s not much of a problem in Kansas City, which boasts hundreds of employers, in all shapes and sizes, from the world headquarters of Sprint Nextel, Hallmark and H&R Block, to pharmaceutical giants Aventis and Bayer.
The trailing spouse’s search can start online or with local papers Kansas City Business Journal and Kansas City Star or business magazine Ingram’s.

“You also can develop a potential target list of companies by reading the Kansas City Business Journal Book of Lists,” says Karen Cottengim, senior consultant with Right Management Consultants.

“Networking should start with the company that has hired the original spouse,” says Ron Rutkowski, a senior recruiter with Spencer Reed Group, LLC. “The company where the new job is should have relationships established with (job) recruiters.”

Employment agencies can be helpful, too; however, a recruiter is only a tool to aid in the search. Trailing spouses must make it their job to find a job. Contacting more than one recruiter makes good sense because each one has access to a different job pool.

“It’s easy to fall into the rut of not doing anything when you first move here,” says Carlos Riojas, president of Riojas Enterprises/Able Employment. “But you should sign up with a handful of employment services and be leery of those that charge people to find a job.”

Rutkowski recommends learning the Standard Industry Code for the job the trailing spouse will leave behind, matching it with companies that operate in the Kansas City area and then approaching those companies about employment.

One surprising networking opportunity may lie with a company that turns you down for a position. It’s a matter of asking the right question.

“If a company is advertising and you’ve sent a résumé, ask what the next step is when you call to see if they have received it,” Rutkowski says. “If they don’t seem interested, tell them you’re coming from out of town and ask if they have any suggestions for you. People have a natural inclination to help.”

Although some people use this transition to make a career change, Cottengim says it actually might not be the best time because you will likely have to relax your salary requirement. In addition, you will lack a developed network that is vital to making a change. If you do want a change, Riojas suggests working with a temporary employment service to feel it out.

“I took a temporary position and now I’m president of the company,” he says, “and the spectrum of temporary positions has really broadened to include executives and management personnel.”

Consider volunteering a few hours each week or joining a Chamber, church or other community organizations to gain access to a new network of individuals.

Selling Yourself
You’ve got to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Nail down what you can offer a company, whether it is expanding services, expanding at a corporate level, or in the midst of a massive reorganization. Doing online research about a target company can provide you with invaluable information about its current and upcoming needs.

You also may need to repackage your skill set. For instance, a teacher may do well in sales because a teacher “sells” all the time, Rutkowski says.

A well-crafted résumé remains an important tool. It should reflect your previous job responsibilities and the primary skills you used. But, most importantly, it should not have a one-size-fits-all format. It’s important to tailor your résumé to each individual position you are considering.

Cottengim suggests developing a 30-second commercial to help potential employers understand your background and the type of position you are pursuing.“They are often used in networking meetings and interviews. The commercial should describe what type of professional you are, your last position/what you did on the job, your reason for leaving your last position, and your future focus.

She also says to practice your interviewing skills. Know how to respond to questions such as “What are your top three strengths?” You must be able to relate stories that link your experience and skills to the potential position and employer.

Calculating Salary
Compare the cost of living in the Kansas City area with the cost of living in the area you are moving from. This, coupled with the new salary of the transferred spouse, may significantly impact what salary the trailing spouse should seek. Salary.com is a good resource for such information.

Rutkowski recommends the trailing spouse consider taking a temporary job to keep the family’s income flowing, and keep up skill sets. The temporary position may provide a starting point for a permanent position, as well as networking opportunities.