We live in a time of challenging economic and political times. There is no longer a job for life, and so to succeed in a profession of your choice, you may need to consider upping sticks and relocating to a new city, state or even country to pursue your chosen career. Whether you are relocating with a role with your current or employer or starting with a new firm, being flexible can open the doors to new possibilities.
So how can you get the most from relocating?
You need to have a deep understanding about where you are considering moving to. Your decision needs to be based on fact rather than feelings! Relocating can be a major upheaval, especially if you have children; you not only need to move to a new home but have schools to consider too. You need to ask yourself some fundamental questions, and answer them honestly:
- Will relocating benefit your career?
- Will relocating benefit your family?
- Is there affordable housing?
- What are the pros?
- What are the cons?
If you have been asked to relocate through your current employment, you may be able to negotiate a relocation package. They can help you with the costs associated with relocating: moving costs, insurance, or even temporary accommodation costs while you get to know the new area.
- Research the local area
Different cities and neighborhoods have very different living costs and so you need to thoroughly research the locality to ensure that you will be able to afford to live in the chosen area. You can use a salary calculator that combines the costs of living to determine that the move is financially viable.
Have a good look at the local news websites. You will be able to get a feel of an area by the stories that are reported in the local media. While on paper an area may look like it fulfils your wish list, the reality may be somewhat different.
Keep an eye out for antisocial behavior stories, drink and drug related offences and future development plans. Join local social media pages to give you further insights into neighborhoods, identify good schools and local employers. This information will help you to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about a place.
- Visit the area
It’s a good idea to visit the new area as many times as possible before you move. What looks good online, may not meet your expectations. Visit the area at different times of the day and days of the week, especially the area that you intend to live in. Is your new commute going to be practical? You need to get a feel for the area before making any big life-changing decisions.
- Research the local jobs
There are job sites for local areas but also national and international job databases. Take advantage of being able to access these listings and if you have any further questions, pick the phone up and call the recruiter. You are more likely to make a successful application if you have already reached out to the firm and discussed the position in further details – you stand out from the crowd.
Your CV and covering letter are the first introduction that a potential employer has to your skillset. So, if you are willing to relocate for a role, you need to ensure that this information is clearly expressed in your personal statement and covering letter. If you fail to make this point, prospective employers will assume that you live too far away to be a suitable candidate for the role.
- Confirm your position in your personal statement. Be clear that you are available to work within XYZ geographical areas.
- Elaborate on the details in your cover letter: you are returning to your hometown, or you are targeting roles in XYZ and include the date you are likely moving to the area.
- Inform the recruiter of your availability for an interview. You need to help the employer as much as possible – the logistics of organizing an interview can be troublesome, so if you make the process as easy as possible, you are more likely to be successful.
- Prepare for the move
When you have secured employment, you have a start date that you need to have moved by; however, be realistic with the timescale for the move. You are moving your whole life and for the relocation to be a success, you need to put in adequate preparations so that it is as seamless as possible. Here are some useful tips to help you get organized. The greater the preparation, the less stress you will feel when the big day comes.
If you are relocating with a family, you also need to consider the implications for them in the move. If your partner is going to be unemployed as a result of the move, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits. It’s worth looking into this as soon as possible as eligibility for unemployment benefits vary between states but claims need to be made in your current state of residency. You will need to seek advice as to which job seeking costs are tax deductible.
- Settling in
Settling into a new neighborhood can take time. You need to establish yourself into the community and make valuable connections to make your transition easier.
- Volunteer at school
If you have children, you will make friends and contacts through the school. Attending events or even volunteering for the PTA is a route you can take to help you and your children adjust to your new neighborhood.
- Host a party
Your new neighbors and co-workers will want to get to know you too. Host an informal party to get better acquainted. This is a great icebreaker and will give you the opportunity to find out where the best local haunts are.
- Join a club
If you have any hobbies that you indulge in, now is the time to join a local club. Having a shared interest is a sure-fire way of meeting like-minded people to develop friendships with.
People move between states for many different reasons, so whether you are moving to fulfill a lifelong dream to live near the beach or chasing the dollars by moving to the city to further your career, relocating can give you the opportunity to change your life for the better. Good luck and enjoy!
