If you were offered a job in another city—or your current employer asked you to relocate—would you make the move?
Some would say yes in a heartbeat, while others might struggle with the uncertainty that accompanies such a big change.
“Deciding to relocate is a personal decision and is different for everyone because not everyone’s situation is the same,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “It may be a good decision for someone who is in a position to move their life to a new area without much disruption, for example, someone who is early in their career. On the flip side, someone later in their career, or someone with a family, may have more ties to their current city and while it is not necessarily a bad decision to relocate, it may take more planning and time to actually do it.”
Alexandra Levit, the author of Blind Spots: The 10 Business Myths You Can’t Afford to Believe on Your New Path to Success, concurs. “It’s a good idea if you have your heart set on a job that’s in a particular geography and if your lifestyle allows a bit more flexibility. It may not be the smartest approach to uproot your entire family for a job you could probably find locally with a little more persistence.”
If you are a long-term employee in your present company and are a long-term resident, it may be very risky to start over somewhere else, even if it’s financially beneficial to you, says Andy Teach, author of From Graduation to Corporation, and host of the YouTube channel FromGradToCorp. “Some people like stability and there is something to be said for that. You may have a lot of close friends and family where you live and no job may be worth giving that up.”
It’s also important to remember that relocating may be good for you but not so good for your spouse or children, he adds. “It’s not a decision to be taken lightly.”
In Pictures: 20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before You Relocate For A Job
So before you make this big decision, you’ll also want to know that the job you’re considering is a terrific fit, Levit says. Another thing to think about is whether the organization has shown its commitment to you by assisting with relocation costs. “That won’t always happen, but when it does it’s a great sign,” she says. If an employer isn’t committed to you from the very beginning, you might not want to pick up everything and move for them.
“It’s also good to have the support of your friends and family and to know at least one person in the new city who can help you get acquainted,” Levit adds. And if you don’t have a specific job offer yet, but you’re considering relocating because the job hunt in your current area has been unsuccessful, you should at least be assured that your employment prospects will be better – not worse – in the new locale, she says.