Receiving a promotion or starting a new job can be a monumental life event. That dizzying cocktail excitement and terror compounds significantly when your new role requires you to relocate!
If an offer to relocate for work, like this person did, has just landed on your desk, congratulations! Now is the time to weigh up your options and determine whether this move is right for you.
Here are the top four most important things to consider when relocating for a job:
1. The Moving Process
Moving is well-documented as one of the most stressful life events anyone can go through and the financial strain is a big part of that. Whether you’re selling a property or even just negotiating a new lease, ensure that you’ve got sufficient savings to accommodate this process and enough time to get your affairs in order. Planning is vital.
If money may be an issue during the move, be proactive in voicing your concerns to your employer. If they’ve selected you for the role, they will often be willing to pay a portion of your relocation costs, packing services in Toronto and/or assist you in finding suitable accommodation through their local connections.
2. Your Relationships
Relocating is challenging as a single person but a potential nightmare as part of a couple of a family. If you’re in a serious relationship, sit down with your partner and discuss the pros and cons of the move before committing. Establish whether your partner is willing and able to make the journey with you and, if not, what that means for your relationship. Where dependents are involved, changes to routines, friendships and schools should also factor into your decision making.
Even if you’re unattached, understand the significance of leaving your friends, confidants, or elderly parents in your former hometown. Where possible, put plans in place to maintain your support network once you relocate. Make Skype dates with old friends and research meetups and activities in your new town to make new ones.
3. Your Career Trajectory and The Company’s Status
Ask yourself where you want to be in one, two, five years’ time. If this role is just a blip in your career trajectory, is it worth relocating for? If not, does this city offer you more opportunities in your dream field? Consider the opportunities you’re leaving behind vs. the ones you’ll be creating.
Your company’s standing is also a factor. If you’re in an unstable field, assess the landscape. Have there been whispers of downsizing? Are similar businesses going into administration or are they thriving? If you were to be made redundant, would your job prospects in this new city be positive? Consider your comfort levels and create a back-up plan to minimise your personal risk if things go south.
4. The Environment
If you’ve lived your whole life in Florida, a move to Alaska, for example, is going to be a big adjustment. Don’t discount the impact relocation can have on your health.
The best way to combat an environmental shock is to do your research. Google and photos can help but nothing beats a vacation to your potential new hometown. Spend a weekend (or longer if possible) taking in the weather, the air quality and even the people. See if the environment matches with your desired lifestyle and, if not, whether you’re prepared to compromise for a great job.
When it comes to relocating, the decision is often less about the job itself and more about the things we may have to leave behind. In 2022, remote work is more possible than ever. So, be honest with yourself and your employer about whether a move is the best option for you.
