Relocation? Is it right for you?

When you find yourself considering relocating for a job, there are, of course, many different factors that you should begin considering before you apply for a role - unless you’re the spontaneous type. Where spontaneity can be a good thing, you need to consider the different aspects of your life. Your family, friends and personal life are a huge factor to consider, how are your relationships going to change? Take the time to think about how the decision will affect you and the people close to you. Also consider how far you may be moving away, the further the distance, the bigger the impact for some people. It can be a good starting point to list both the positives and the negatives and move on from there. It may end up being the best thing you do for your career journey – but you need to be sure.  

Is this the job for you?

Firstly, it’s probably a good start to make sure you have found the role that would be good for you, especially if you are moving home or even country for the job role. It’s of course better to job-search before you move, for a sense of security. One of the reasons someone may want to relocate for a job, is because of the limitations staying in one place can have on your career. If you broaden your horizons and begin job-hunting in different locations, your options are going to increase by a high margin.  Where there are great positives in expanding your job-search geographically, you may want to put a lot of thought into it and not get caught up in the glamour of any particular job opportunity that has caught your eye. You want to be sure that you are accepting the right job. It’s not easy to relocate and it does take time. You don’t want to end up taking a job that you may or may not like and then having a bad outcome. Engineering is a broad industry, there are loads of things you can get involved with, so make sure the new place can provide all the things you want.

Consider your development

If you are relocating for a new job, it can be good to explore the effects it may have on your future career and opportunities before you accept an offer. Is the new job going to allow you to relocate for the long-term or are you going to want to come back to where you lived before? In this case, is it going to be worth it? If you are not even close to being at the end of your career, make sure you understand the effects of your future career development. Is this job going to provide you with the kind of progression you want to move forward? Or are you going to be stuck in the same position and not knowing how to get further in your career. These are worthy questions to ask yourself before accepting any job offer. If it isn’t going to help you as a professional, then it may not be the best route for you. Make sure you are doing what is best for you and the career you would like. After all, there’s no point in having to turn around and come back after not being happy.

Go and visit!

If you have started thinking about a place that you would like to relocate to and you’ve even started the job-hunting journey, make sure you take some time and actually visit the place before you accept any offers and move there! If time is a restraint, you can visit when you attend an interview, it’s better than nothing. You can take a bit of time to explore and get a feel of the place. You need to know if it is going to be a suitable place for you as a person? Does it have good education systems in place for your children (if you have any) and is it a safe and happy place to live? There are more things to think about, than just the way a place or country looks. It’s never great to move to a new place without experiencing it. It can be a very good ideas to spend some quality time there and if you have a family, it may be important that they get to see their potential new home as well.

Talk to your friends and family

It may be obvious to say that you should consider talking to your friends and family about a potential relocation. You may have a family of your own, in this case, it has probably already crossed your mind to mention it. Especially because it will affect them greatly too. However, if you don’t have your own family to think about, it’s still important to make sure you let the people closest to you know. You may feel like your career has nothing to do with them but having their support and opinions will help you find out if this is something you really want to do. If they live close to you, you must think about your future relationships with them. It can be a tricky thing to do but hearing what they have to say about the matter often helps.

Network

Of course, you should network before you accept a job. People that already work at the business or live in that area/country will be able to tell you what it’s like and maybe share their own experiences with you. There are some things that you can find out yourself, but it can be better to get information from someone that has lived it. Networking also allows you to communicate effectively with people you may be working with and other professionals that may be in the area. Getting a feel of their personalities and your potential work place can help make important decisions. Not only this, but you may feel like you know someone before you get there, and it can settle any nerves you may have.

Relocation Packages

Whether your current employer has asked you to relocate or you are thinking about it for a new role, you may be entitled to a relocation package. The business can assist with things such as;

• Moving Costs
• Legal Fees
• Travel costs
• Temporary Accommodation costs

Not every company is going to offer all or any of these, so it could be worth talking to the employer about these things before you make your decision. Your new employer can help you make the transition a lot smoother and well worth your while.

Relocation Costs

If you are relocating, you have certain obligations to report any relocation costs given to you for up to £8000. Some of these costs are exempt from paying tax and national insurance, so it’s good to make sure all your paperwork is up to date. These costs can include, but are not limited too;

• the costs of buying or selling a home
• moving costs
• buying certain things for a new home
• bridging loans

For more information on relocation costs visit - https://www.gov.uk/expenses-and-benefits-relocation/whats-exempt.

Overall, there is no right or wrong decision. Relocating for a job can be a very serious matter and not a decision you should make overnight. It is one thing to move across the country, but to move to another part of the world will need a lot of preparation. But ultimately, it is your decision, you can only ask for opinions. If you feel like it is right for you and your career, go for it. I’m sure it will be an experience of a lifetime, no matter what the outcome.