Been offered a job in a new state – or even a new country? Or perhaps you’ve got a dream job in mind that can only be pursued in a certain location? Whatever the case, relocating for a job is a decision that you don’t want to rush into. Aside from making sure that the job is really what you want, you need to be sure that you’re happy moving all that way and that it doesn’t negatively affect other commitments that you care about. Below are just a few tips for helping you to decide whether to relocate for a job or not.
Research the job role/company
Before accepting a job far away, the most important thing to do is to make sure that the job and company is right for you. You don’t want to move all that way for a job that you end up disliking. Take the time to look up company reviews online at sites like Glassdoor, and make sure that you’re truly happy with the duties involved. Consider the fact that there may even be differences between branches owned by the same company – so if you’re relocating to a new branch, it’s still worth doing research.
Research the location
The job may seem perfect, but what do you think of the location? What is there to do for fun? How different is the culture likely to be? It could be worth researching the cost of living, the crime rate and other stats. On top of this, you may want to consider the distance from family and friends.
Consider family commitments
Relocating for a job is much more difficult when you have a partner and kids, because you need to make sure they’re happy to move too. Your partner may not want to be uprooted from their job and friends, while older kids may not want to move school and form new friends. Of course, if you have no commitments holding you back, it may be worth taking advantage of the freedom. Relocating may even be a chance to find a partner or start a family.
Consider the longevity
Relocating may not seem like such a risk if it’s only a temporary job. It could mean not having to move all of your possessions, but instead putting some in storage. If it’s for a few months, you may even be able to keep your home or even move out while your family stays home (this will be hard, but could be less disruptive to their life). Longer and more permanent positions are a bigger risk, because you have no choice but to move everything with you.
Consider the moving costs
A long distance move could be expensive. Make sure that you can afford to relocate for a job. Look for companies that offer long distance moving services. Some companies such as SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. may also offer the option of temporary storage if you don’t want to take all your possessions with you.
Trust your gut
In most cases, it’s worth following your gut. If something inside you is telling you to grab the opportunity – particularly if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – it could be a sign that you need to relocate. If a voice inside you is telling you to stay and not take the risk, then it’s likely a sign that you should stay. In either case, you don’t want to let other people push you into a decision that you’ll regret.
