If you're offered a new job in another city, you might be faced with one of the most daunting questions in your employment history. Should you move for a job?
A lot of factors come into play, such as the cost of living, transportation expenses and long-term goals. If this is your dream career that you plan on growing with or a job that you only plan on staying at six months, the answer is simple. But what if the job is somewhere in between?
Will it benefit you, or do see yourself making a career change in the future?
Then relocating for job might not be worth the trouble. But everyone's situation is different, so ask yourself these questions to be confident that you're making the right choice.
Will this job relocation help you long-term?
Don't live in the moment and move across the country for a job you hate. If you know in your mind that you won't last in the position for more than a year, don't go. If you're on the fence, you have an even harder decision to make. Mapping out the logistics for success is a hard thing to master.
Define your ambitions and have a clear understanding of what you want to gain. If it aligns perfectly, take the job.
If you are eager to pursue a career in digital marketing but are offered a position in IT system support, ask yourself how that will benefit you in the future. It may be a good paying job, but if you have no intentions of doing that down the line, reject the offer and focus on positions in your field.
It's a small sacrifice for a long-term gain.
Is this job relocation financially beneficial?
Moving for a job is a big step. You don't want to be struggling paycheck to paycheck, because you underestimated the cost of living. Your sacrifice deserves compensation.
Figure out if it makes sense financially:
- What is the area's cost of living?
- Will your current debt-to-income ratio make it hard to move?
- Does the company offer an automatic pay increase?
- Does the company offer a relocation package?
How does your family feel about moving for your job?
Putting your family into consideration can help put your decision in perspective.
If you in a relationship:
- Will your partner be okay with moving to a new city?
- Is it fair of you to ask your partner to leave their current job?
- Are you willing to be in a long-distance relationship if they aren't interested in moving?
If you have children:
- What grade are your children in?
- How will moving affect them?
- Will they have to move in the middle of the school year?
- Do they make new friends easily, or do they have a hard time adjusting to new situations?
- Have you done research on the school district and the quality of education they provide?
Do you have a backup plan?
Things can go wrong at any time. If you work for a start-up, and things don't go well with stock holders and the owner, it will leave you scrambling for crumbs.
Research the area before moving. If there aren't an abundance of opportunities, then you may want to pass on that offer.
For example, if you accept a tech job in Silicon Valley, you're in a prime market for tech professionals. However, Iowa is not known for their innovative technology companies, so moving there would not be a smart decision.
Is the company worth moving for?
You might be interested in moving for numerous reasons, but you should always consider the company itself.
- How reputable is the company?
- How well do they take care of their employees?
- Is there a good work-life balance?
- What is the employee turnover rate?
Most employees submit reviews about their company online. It just takes a bit of searching to find out how former or current employees feel. You should decline an offer if you see too many bad reviews or red flags.