Make your relocation a smooth one
In an effort to leave the unemployment line behind them, many men and women have decided they would relocate for jobs if the opportunities presented themselves. According to the Atlas Van Lines 2012 Corporate Relocation Survey, 52 percent of all relocations in 2011 were new hires. That's not only reflective of people's willingness to move for new opportunities, but also companies' willingness to help new hires make smooth transitions. Whereas many companies were forced to reduce or eliminate their relocation budgets during the depths of the recession, more and more of them now have more money to help candidates relocate.
Finding a company that's willing to incur some, if not all, of an employee's relocation costs is certainly one way to make the process go smoothly. But even those who can't find such a willing employer don't have to rule out relocation. The following are a few ways to make relocating for your career as successful as possible.
* Don't be afraid to negotiate. The Atlas relocation survey noted that 87 percent of the firms surveyed had a formal relocation policy. These policies can run the gamut from very accommodating to extremely limited. But many policies leave room for exceptions, so men and women should not be afraid to negotiate. The company may offer additional benefits to entice you to relocate, but the applicant has to ask about those benefits.
* Do your homework. Companies often expect quick responses when they offer out-of-towners a position. Applicants likely won't have enough time between receiving the offer and meeting their deadline to accept or deny the position to do all of the research that needs to be done. Before applying for positions within a given city, learn about the city, including the cost of housing, the reputation of the city's school districts, and anything else that will ultimately have an impact on your decision to move or stay put. If possible, visit the city before beginning your job hunt. If you find the city fits your lifestyle, then begin your pursuit of a career.
* Don't overlook temporary housing. Many firms provide temporary housing for new hires or existing employees who relocate. This option should not be overlooked. Firms expect quick answers when asking an existing employee or a new hire to relocate. In fact, the Atlas survey found that 72 percent of firms give an employee two weeks or less to accept an offer to relocate. So you likely won't have enough time to find your next place to call home. In such instances, consider temporary housing, ideally offered by the company. If the company does not provide temporary housing, then stay with a friend or family member or contact realtors and explain your situation. A real estate agent should be able to help you find temporary housing and can then help you once the relocation is complete and you're ready to find a permanent residence.
* Know the repayment provisions. While many people consider their decision to relocate a success, others find their new job and city are falling short of expectations. That can be a sticky situation if your new company helped pay for your relocation. Before accepting the job offer and relocating, ask to read the relocation policy and make note of its repayment provisions. Some firms that help relocate new hires or existing employees have the right to ask for those costs back if the employee leaves the company within a given time frame. Know these provisions before you decide to relocate.