I think it is definitely appropriate to make a brief mention of this in your cover letter, especially since it involves a major relocation. I think that many hiring committees would be skeptical of out-of-state applicants who do not explain their reasoning for wanting to move. I moved across country after library school, in part because there were few full time jobs where I was (which I did not mention) and also to be closer to family (which I did). Now, after a couple years, I really miss where I was living before & am ready to move back. I always mention that in the cover letter for jobs I apply for in that area -- but briefly. It really only takes a sentence (like in your post above) to fill in the details, then you can move on to your professional qualifications. Actually, I have put this statement in either the opening or closing paragraph of the letter, just depending on how it flows better. Good luck.

I don't think you need to explain why you are relocating. You need to explain why you are leaving your job after less than a year. So, I would say something more like this: "While I only started my current job in August, I am interested in relocating as my partner is beginning his doctoral studies at Snooty U this year. I look forward to the opportunities that this new adventure will bring and this position is attractive to me for XYZ reasons."

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Erin Stalberg
Head of Metadata & Cataloging
North Carolina State University Libraries

I don't think you should mention your partner at all! It will only call attention to itself. Don't offer up this kind of personal information as it may make the search committee squirm. You don't want them to squirm.

You also don't want the search committee to think you only are applying because it's a job in the area (even if that's the case). Instead, you need to sell them on why you want the JOB (not the town). Why your skills are a perfect fit for it, etc.

Finally, I'm not convinced you need to explain why you are leaving your current position, especially since you'll have been there about a year when you leave. If you sell them on why you really want the job, then they might not wonder.

If you feel you must address this, you could say something like, "I was thrilled to see the job listing for Technical Services Librarian 1 at University of Town because I'll be relocating to Town in July and feel I am a perfect fit for this position."

Okay, that was obviously a rough couple of sentences, but you get the idea.

I also would not give up too much information. I am relocating would be fine, but "partner" statements do make some squirm.

Also, the critical thing with cover letters is what can you do for the organization rather than what the organization or area can do for you. Do not leave out other relevant items to mix in your plan to move.

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Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu

As someone who did exactly this two years ago... moved to a new town because my significant other was beginning a PhD program ... I agree with Joan. Make the move about your career, and tell them why they should hire you, not indicate you may only want to work there because it's a convenient location. (Ideally, you'll find jobs to apply for in the area that ARE what you want for your career, and this approach won't be any kind of stretch!) My supervisors learned pretty quickly after I'd actually been hired that the reason I'd even come across the job listing was because I'd been looking for positions at the same university and in the same area where I was planning to move ... but this was after I'd already begun working and they'd gotten to know me better and already had expressed how happy they were with my job performance! And did they care that I hadn't told them upfront in the interview or at any other point? No, not at all. I'm sure they knew my reasons for not mentioning, and I'm sure they respected that it was personal information and not necessary to indicate at the time. Personal lives are personal lives. Furthermore, it's not the job of those hiring you to make a hiring decision because it'd help you be closer to family, your partner, or any other similar reason. They want the best candidate, so you should concentrate on promoting yourself as just that! Certainly don't put it in a cover letter. If they are curious you may get a question about it in an interview, but even then I'm not entirely convinced you shouldn't leave such information out. I think that would entirely depend upon the feel of the interview...

Just my two cents.

Best of luck!!!!

beth

Quite frankly, you put yourself at a disadvantage volunteering information. Every piece of data is considered and, given that every person who interviews could technically do the job, the interview is really all about fit. You don't want to give them any information other than what they ask for and especially volunteering information about a spouse/partner/whatever. Regardless of what the job ad says, in the end, it's people in a room deciding who to hire based on how well they feel the person will fit into the organization. (This especially applies if your significant other is also a librarian. Mentioning it creates a sense in the search committee's eyes that "gee if we hire you we'll have to do something for the other person." ) Quite frankly, if you can, don't even wear your wedding ring on an interview.

(and this also applies to web pages, blogs, lisserv postings, etc. If you're looking for a job you might want to consider purging anything you can from cyberspace. If they ask why you don't have a web page tell them "I'm really busy doing things for other people and just didn't have time to maintain it properly." Good answer that shows you are both busy and working to advance the organization you are in.)