Relocation: Are You Considering Relocating For A New Job?

Relocation is a big decision that you might have to make during your career.

Specifically, I’m referring to relocating for a new job that you are considering taking. Certainly, the farther you are considering moving from home only adds to possible concerns that you might have about accepting the position.

I’ve helped people accept jobs that have involved them moving to different cities and I’ve also helped some relocate to a new country.

Depending on whether you are looking at moving to a new city/state/province or if you are moving to a new country, there are many issues you need to think about. Here are some thoughts regarding my experiences helping people relocate for a new job.

Relocation to a new city or state/province

1. How will it effect your family and friends? Relocating might cause you concerns if you have elderly family that you like to be close to and could also have an effect on other members of your family, too. Carefully consider any family issues that might arise. Will your new company reimburse you for trips home or do you need to cover this cost yourself?

2. What are your new living arrangements and how much help will you get sorting it out? Depending on the level of your position and the deal you negotiate, your new employer might help you find a new place to live and might even pay for temporary living arrangements while you look. A good company will either help you find a new place to live by paying for a house-hunting trip or they’ll pay for temporary living arrangements for you. A really good company might pay for both.

3. How will your spouse or significant other be affected by the move? If your spouse or significant other works or goes to school, how will they be accommodated? Are they ok with moving out of your current home to a new city or state/province if it involves them giving up their career?

Relocation to a new country

The same points listed above can certainly apply but a few other important ones can arise when you consider moving to a new country.

I have helped several people relocate to a new country to take a new job. Let me suggest several main points that had to be taken care of before they relocated:

1. How will you obtain a work visa? This is critically important. Sometimes a work visa can take weeks or even months to attain. Your new company should help you get legal permission to work in the country if they are really interested in you. I’d be surprised if they left if up to you to attain yourself. A good company would help you get these papers. Sometimes the work visa can take longer to arrive than planned. If your work visa gets delayed and you’ve already resigned from your current position, what would happen in the meantime?

2. Will schooling be an issue (if you have children)? Is the school system in the new country any different or vastly different from what your kids are used to? Even small changes in the curriculum can have an impact on your children especially if you end up moving back home or to another country while they are still in school.

3. Are there cultural and language issues? Is the country you are moving to very much different from the country you live in currently in terms of their culture? Do they speak a different language? These are important considerations for you to consider and to carefully check out ahead of time.