You just got a job offer, yay! The only thing is you have to relocate. Here are some things to keep in mind before taking the leap and moving for a job.
Relationships
Moving for a job will mean leaving your family, friends, and support system. How will this move affect your relationships? If you’re single, there aren’t too many things to consider.
If you’re married, will you move with your spouse and children? If not, what are the implications and the effect of the decision on your relationship? If yes, will your spouse be able to move? Will they be willing and able to leave their own job, friends, and support system? Are there any opportunities for them there?
If you have children and decide to move with them, you’ll be disorganizing their relationships as well not to mention introducing them to a whole new environment including school. Whether you’re single or married with children, you will still be forced to make a huge sacrifice including missing out on in-person interactions with your family and friends. Is the offer good enough to warrant this sacrifice?
You have to factor in the effect on your emotional and relational health and well-being.
Cost of living vs salary
One of the key things to consider is if it makes financial sense. It may offer a high salary, but the location has a higher cost of living, so it translates either to a pay cut or it offers no significant difference when compared to your present earnings.
Advancement opportunities
If you’re considering uprooting your entire life and relocating for a job, it better have great opportunities for advancement. Do they have educational and training opportunities to advance your skills? Do they have an organizational culture that supports growth through practices like promotions and hiring internally?
Psychological preparedness
Are you psychologically prepared for the stress of moving to a new place while balancing the pressure of starting a new job? Settling into a new city can be extremely difficult and compounding that with a new job will require you to be in a good mental headspace. Is this a good time for you to move? If you, for example, have some family or mental health issues, it may not be a good time to add more to your plate.
The weather
What is the weather like at the new place? Can you handle it? Visit the area and if possible, visit the office during working hours to see if it’s a good fit for you. If you’re able to visit, find out from others who made the move what it was like for them. This can help you psychologically prepare and even decide if you want to take the leap altogether.
Company stability
Research and make sure the company is on stable footing. The last thing you want to do is move for a job and take on all the attendant stress only for the company to collapse. Check out the company’s numbers over the years, presently, and what people in the same industry have to say about it.
The financial cost of moving
What is the financial cost of the move and who will bear it? Many companies will offer their talent a relocation package, but it’s important to find out exactly what they offer and not make any assumptions. Some companies offer full or partial reimbursement while some just give you a lump sum to use as you will. Do they offer any relocation services such as temporary housing? Whatever the case, confirm. If they are not covering it, can you afford the move?
Escape clause
This one works largely if you’re relocating for a job within the same organization. Say, you’re moved to a place with an entirely different climate and you’re not able to hack it, is there a trial period so that you can press reset on the entire deal? Discuss trial periods and contingency plans to be on the safe side.
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