Do you feel like your career is stuck in a rut? Have you been toying with the idea of moving your job hunt
to a different city or town?
Maybe you're in the opposite
situation. You got an offer from a different company, but it's going to require
that you move and you don't know if you're ready for such a big change.
If you found yourself relating to those two different scenarios, it's clear that you're thinking about relocating for work. There are plenty of good reasons to relocate for a job, and there are also some reasons why it's best to stay put.
Either way, we're here to help you
decide if moving for a job is literally the right move for you. Keep reading if
you want to learn the pros and cons of moving for work and how you can make
things easier for yourself.
Reasons
to Move
Moving is a big decision, but there
are still plenty of good reasons why you should consider moving for work.
If you're considering moving for a
job with better pay, better benefits, or a better title, moving could be worth
it. Jobs that can benefit your career, financial situation, and even your
overall wellbeing and life can be worth the hassle of moving.
It's also okay to consider moving
just so you can have new opportunities. Working in a niche industry can make it
difficult to find new and exciting opportunities even if you're in a big city.
Moving can help expose you to new things and can help give you the career
growth you've been waiting for.
A move that wouldn't have a big
impact on your quality of life is also worth considering. You may not have
found your dream job, but if you don't think a move would be too taxing on you
or your family, take a chance and start house hunting!
Reasons
to Stay
Remember, having a job offer on the
table or being bored with your current location isn't always a reason to move.
Take time to think hard about the opportunities you have and how much you truly
stand to benefit from a move.
We'd rarely recommend moving for a
job that's a lateral move, or a job that doesn't offer great pay or benefits.
Going to a new job that gives you $3k more a year and a few more PTO days can
be okay if you're planning on staying where you are. However, you should
seriously consider if uprooting your entire life is worth it for a few thousand
more a year and a slightly longer vacation.
It's also worth noting that a big
opportunity still may not be worth moving for if it could seriously negatively
impact your life and the lives of your spouse and kids. A new school system,
having a job-hunting spouse, and being away from your usual support system may
be too much to handle.
Our
Top 3 Tips for Relocating for Work
Now that you've had some time to
weigh the pros and cons, let's start focusing on ways to make relocating for
work as simple as possible.
House hunting, moving, and getting
established at a new company can be difficult if you aren't prepared. Luckily,
we know some great tips that can help you get started on the right foot.
If you want to handle your
relocation the right way, be sure to follow these tips.
Start
Networking Now
It doesn't matter if you're moving
to a new city in hopes of getting a new job or if you already have an offer on
the table. Building your professional network is important, and you should
start doing work now to make connections in your new area.
LinkedIn is a great platform to
network on, and their search features make it easy to find people you could
connect with. Search by locations, companies, or even job titles to find people
you'd be interested in meeting.
If you have the time, try attending
some meetups for other professionals in your area. You'll be able to meet a lot
of people from different companies and get a feel for the professional scene in
your city.
Plan
Your Move
When you're trying to lock down a
new job, learn about a new area, and get your new living situation in order,
packing and moving will be one of the last things on your mind. That's why it's
important to get a plan together now so you aren't scrambling to figure things
out.
Establish a moving and packing timeline so you know exactly when things
need to be done. Following this can ensure that your move isn't chaotic and
that you have plenty of time to prepare.
We also highly recommend bringing in
professional moving help. Some services can do a lot more than just get things
from point A to point B. There are some that may be willing to help you set up
your furniture and can even provide packing material.
Research
Your New Location
You may have your eye on a
neighborhood or could even have a house or apartment lined up for you. Understanding
the ins and outs of your new location is important, but it goes far beyond your
home or apartment.
What's the average cost of living in
the area? Is your neighborhood part of a good school district? How close are
you to public transit? These are all very important and practical things to
know.
It's also important to remember that
you won't just be there to work, you're going to need some fun in your life!
Find out about some of the hot restaurants and theaters around your new home.
See if there are any hobby groups full of like-minded people you can befriend.
Make
Moves, Meet Goals
Relocating for work is a huge
decision, and there are plenty of pros and cons for whatever you choose. If you
do decide to take a chance and move, following our 3 simple tips can make
things much less stressful for you in the long run.
Relocating is only one way to help
your career. There are still plenty of other ways you can give your career the
spark it needs.
Have you considered going back to
school? Are you think of how to ask your boss for a big raise? Do you want to
learn how to negotiate?
We have a lot of helpful information for career-focused people on our site. Be sure to browse our posts so you can learn how to meet your career goals.
