When the options are endless it can be difficult to choose where to go next!  Don’t get overwhelmed.  We have just the job selection tips for you!

Job Selection

Location, Location, Location

As any realtor will tell you, its all about location.  The same goes for job selection. When selecting your next job, it is best to first consider the geographical location of your desired area.  Some of the most beautiful places in the country can be miserable during the rainy or tourist season, and conversely locations that might not appeal to you at first glance could make for the perfect short-term adventure.

Take Tuscon, AZ for example.  Being mountain lovers the heat of the Sonoran Desert is repulsive, but after spending some time there in the cooler January air we quickly realized that it would make for the perfect winter getaway (should we ever tire of our winter sports).

People

The next consideration is to explore who you know in the desired area.  As a traveler it can get lonely having to rebuild your community every few months.  Having a connection or two in the area can really pay off.

 In Alaska we met up with a friend-of-a-friend who turned into one of our favorite backcountry ski buddies and local tour guide (He also turned us on to what is essentially a booze cruise on skis – The Oosik Classic – Amazing event!

Nuts and Bolts

Our final consideration is of the more practical sort.  How expensive is housing vs how much you anticipate making? Cost of living – gas, groceries, etc. Access to a major airport for holiday or other travel?  These are all important factors to balance when making your adventure plans.

We have loved living in the Central Coast of California, but some major set backs are the high cost of living and lack of a major airport nearby.  The local airport is great, but often the first leg of any flight is up to San Fran or down to LAX.

Sliding Scale

One last tip before we wrap up here is that these three factors in job selection need to be weighed on a sliding scale.  Rarely will you ever find the PERFECT SPOT. Being the curious explorer that you are, finding amazing places is as easy as balancing these simple considerations.  If you are a people person, obviously that aspect should weigh highly for every locale you consider. Weigh the importance of location, company, and cost to decide an area that is best for your job selection!

Spoiler Alert: We have taken these tips into account and recently decided to pursue licensure in Washington for the winter of 2017.  We are short on social connections but the cost of living is good and we are dying to test out the skiing in the PNW!

Written by: Stephen Stockhausen

Call for comments:  What other factors do you take into consideration when planning your next travel contract?  Let us know, we’d love to hear it!