Dual-career couples are pretty much the norm these days. As such, when an employer offers a job transfer to an employee who has a spouse or partner, there is typically much to be considered if the employee is part of a dual-career household.

Fortunately, there are many tools and resources available to help the second career spouse or partner navigate the waters of the Houston job market.

Keith Wolf is the managing director for Murray Resources, a Houston-based recruiting firm with six offices in the Houston area. He said that there are both challenges and advantages to being new to the city.

The biggest challenge, according to Wolf, is typically the lack of contacts and knowledge of the local landscape.

“The process of gaining traction when you don’t have contacts in an area can be overwhelming. If you don’t know who the players are or where your skills fit into the new market, it can take some time to research,” Wolf said.

Conversely, Wolf said that moving to a new city can prove to be an advantage, particularly when seeking a position in which in-depth local knowledge is not a key requirement.

“There’s something an old boss of mine called ‘knowledge from afar.’ He meant that we tend to attach positive bias to people who come from other geographies, as if they might know something we don’t. I’ve seen that hold true in recruiting. We often find that our employer clients view a remote candidate positively. They can bring a different perspective to a company that typically hires only local candidates,” Wolf said.

Wolf said that another advantage for the job applicant who has moved to Houston as a result of a spouse or partner’s job transfer, is that the move paints a logical picture as to why the candidate is in the job market. It explains that the reason is not based on any kind of professional misstep, but due to personal circumstances.

“Being a successful job seeker is often about putting together a logical story that an employer can easily understand,” Wolf said.

To be a successful job seeker in today’s market also means engaging in the use of social media. It is critical to not only have a LinkedIn profile, but to make sure that it is up to date. LinkedIn is also an invaluable tool for conducting research about industries, companies and potential job opportunities.

Wolf said that LinkedIn also makes it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find job seekers.

At the same time, job seekers can look for connections they may have within a company, and leverage those connections to help them with their job search or even assist them in getting in front of the recruiters or hiring managers.

In addition to online social networking, job seekers should engage in traditional networking opportunities. This can pose a challenge for those who are new to the Houston area, since there are many groups and organizations that offer various networking events and gatherings throughout the city.

For those new to the Houston area, Wolf said it is a good idea to speak with others who live in Houston to get a sense of the employment landscape.

“Once you actually relocate, connect in person and ask for introductions to others who may be of assistance in your job search. Request referrals to different kinds of associations and business groups to join that may help you in your job search. And if you already belong to a professional and networking group in your current area, ask them if they have a chapter in Houston,” Wolf said.

Additionally, Wolf said that many employers offer career assistance and support for relocating spouses and partners. There may even be job opportunities within the same company.

In terms of the best time to begin the job search when relocating to the Houston area, Wolf said that it is best to start early.

“Don’t wait until your feet are on the ground to start putting together your resume and getting in contact with a recruiting firm and potential employers,” Wolf said.

In closing, Wolf urged relocating spouses and partners to take their time with their job search, and not to be discouraged if they are unable to find the right job immediately. He said they should also consider contract or temporary work, which could lead to a more permanent, long-term opportunity.

“Some companies prefer hiring contract or temp-to-hire employees before deciding to bring them on full time. That can be a great opportunity to prove your value to a potential employer,” he said.