by Charlotte Gurney
Relocating for a job can feel like a stressful time. Whether you’re considering moving to a new company altogether or relocating with your current employer, there is a lot to think about. However, there can be lots of benefits too, from experiencing other cultures to meeting new people and finding new places that feel like home. If you’re going through the process of weighing up your options when it comes to relocating for a job, these are our tips on how to make the experience work for you.
● Get clear on your ‘why.’ Any move can be stressful but when you’re clear about why you’re doing it you’re much more likely to stay motivated. Is this relocation about fulfilling important career goals and what are the advantages of doing it, both professionally and personally? If you’re relocating with a partner or a family think about the benefits they will get from it too.
● Make sure everything is in place before you start relocating. It is much easier to relocate for a specific role for which you already have a signed contract in place than to go somewhere new on a whim and hope that you find something.
● Do some in-depth research on the new location. There is a lot to think about here, both in terms of your professional experience and your social life. Consider the following questions:
○ What’s the cost of living locally and will your salary cover it?
○ How is your current lifestyle going to change if you relocate - what will you lose and what will you gain?
○ What will your new commute be and will that change your transport costs?
○ What aspects of your current routine will need to change?
It can be useful to go to the place where you’re relocating to - if possible - and just get a sense of what it’s like, what amenities are available and what kind of local community there is.
● Connect with others who live there. Connections make all the difference when you’re starting out somewhere new. Do you know people who could provide you with insight, information on where to get the best deals on accommodation or how to get involved with the local community? This can be especially vital if you’re relocating abroad and the systems and processes that you’ll need to navigate are going to be different to what you’re used to.
● Try to avoid any unwelcome surprises. The most frequent unwelcome surprises relate to costs so try to get a clear idea of what the costs are going to be when it comes to your relocation. Find out what part of these your employer will cover well in advance so that you’re not making assumptions about the expense that will fall to you. Make a list of everything that you’re going to need to do in the first few days of arriving in the new location, whether that relates to opening bank accounts or getting a driving license.
If you’re relocating for a job, these are the basics that you need to consider to ensure that you have a positive experience.