You have applied to countless jobs, and cannot seem to secure an interview. Did you know that where you live can affect your candidacy?

It’s true! I’ll give you an example. Candidate A wants to apply to a job in Toronto and she lives in Waterloo. She’s applied countless times to many employers and has not heard back from one. Her resume looks good, and her cover letter is a strong representation of her skills matching the companies’ job description requirements.

Perhaps the problem is where she lives. A good recruiter will figure out quickly that candidates who are living more than an hour away from their company will be less desirable then candidates who live in closer proximity.

Why?

Candidates who travel greater distances are going to suffer from greater stressors. Think about commuting. By the time some employees get to work, they are already burned out from the drive. This translates into lower productivity, higher absences, greater chances of stress. It’s a liability.

Solution

We’re not advocating lying to your prospective employer, but if you have an alternate contact address in a city or location closer to the job you are applying, we suggest you use it instead of the greater distanced location. You should be up front with your employer when the time comes, (such as when conducting a background check), but essentially, the address on the resume is just a contact address and does not have to represent your true home address.

Have you had any issues with applying out of your city limits? Any suggestions for future job seekers? Do you agree or disagree with the above?