Hiring has slowed over the past few months as organizations brace for an economic slowdown. Seesawing tariff policies, immigration crackdowns, the elimination of thousands of government contracts, and creeping inflation rates have had a considerable impact on organizations, many of which have halted hiring. CNN reports that, “The labor market is frozen outside of healthcare, education and law enforcement jobs.”
Unemployment in the information technology (IT) and engineering fields has historically been lower than in other sectors of the economy. However, there are a few factors that may make it more difficult than usual for some tech professionals to secure a new role right now, including:
- Recent economic turbulence.
- The mass layoffs in the tech sector over the past few years.
- Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools that require a new IT skill set.
If you’re currently looking for a new role or hoping to accelerate your career, you may be finding some roadblocks in your way. If this is the case, relocating could be the answer for you.
While relocating for work may be a very viable option for some, many tech and engineering professionals don’t give it serious consideration. Few candidates are prepared for interview questions about relocation. If relocating is something that you would consider, it’s well worth your time to look into the logistics around a move before a job interview. Not only would it better prepare you to answer the questions, but it also shows potential employers that you are serious and ready to commit to a job offer, regardless of its location.
Relocating is a big step that requires serious consideration. If you haven’t already looked into it, the comprehensive guide below can help you navigate the pros and cons of relocating for work – and prepare for a move, if that’s your decision.
Approaching The Decision To Relocate For Work
During your job hunt or initial meetings with recruitment agencies, you may be asked if you would consider moving for the right position. At this point, the person is likely asking in an exploratory way to see what you are open to. You don’t need to make a firm decision or commitment at this point.
But if you progress in the interview process or if your recruitment agency suggests exciting roles that would require relocation, you should spend time exploring the idea of moving for work in depth. Employers and recruiters want to see that you’re not just tossing around the idea of a move but actively preparing for one. They don’t want to waste their time – or yours – if a required move is off the table. But if you’re serious about relocating, it’s time to do some homework.
A Checklist For Making Relocation Decisions
Relocating is a major commitment – and not just in terms of the job you would be relocating for. Moving households raises significant financial, personal, and logistical concerns. Would your partner and/or family be impacted by your decision? Do you have a lease or a mortgage? What are housing costs like in the new location? How long of a commute would be required? There are many factors to consider if you are thinking about relocating for work.
Talk To Your Partner Or Spouse Early And Often
If you are in a committed relationship, your partner will be impacted by your decision to relocate. In this case, relocating needs to be a team decision and effort. To gauge your partner’s willingness to relocate, start the conversation early and continue to converse over time until a decision is made. Together, the two of you should discuss:
- How a move would affect your partner personally, including the change of residence; their connections with their friends, family, and community; and their familiar routines.
- Your partner’s own career path, including the need to look for a new job and the state of the job market in the new location.
- Whether a move would affect other family members. If you have elderly parents who live nearby, they may count on you for assistance or caregiving. If you have children, the move would impact their education, friendships, and routines, including group activities and teams.
- The logistics of the move, including neighborhoods to consider moving to, whether to rent or own, and the nitty-gritty details about moving and the associated costs.
Keep the lines of communication open as the interview process progresses so that everyone is on the same page regarding the potential to relocate.
Research The New Area
A major factor in your decision to relocate is the area that you would be moving to. The overall cost of living, housing costs, the quality of education, crime rates, access to green spaces, and even things like walkability scores and air quality may affect your final decision. To make an informed decision, you should:
- Use platforms like Zillow to investigate housing costs and trends.
- Reach out on social media platforms like Threads or Reddit to help determine if specific neighborhoods would fulfill your needs, suit your lifestyle, and fit your budget.
- Investigate the cost of living in the new area. Consider things like groceries, utilities, taxes, commutes, childcare, activities, and healthcare since costs can vary widely in different municipalities.
- Research schools if you have children, to determine the quality of education, associated costs, and registration timelines.
After researching your prospective new area, you may find that it’s not suitable for your lifestyle or needs. On the flip side, the overall cost of living may be much lower than at your current residence, making the move highly attractive. This type of research is critical to making a decision that you won’t regret.
Consider The Timing Of The Move
The start date of the new position will directly impact the timing of your move. It may not be possible to simply pick up and move in time to start your new position, especially if you have a partner and/or family who will be moving with you. When it comes to the timing of the move, consider:
- How much notice do you need to give your current employer that you are leaving your role.
- Whether you will be breaking a lease to move for your start date. Or, if you own a home, will you have time to list and sell it before you need to relocate?
- If your partner can be ready to move at the same time as you.
- If you have school-aged children, do you need to time your move around their downtimes, such as summer vacation or a holiday break?
- Whether moving during a holiday season that’s important to you and your family would add stress to the move.
Timing considerations might not make or break your decision to relocate. But they might factor into the logistics of relocating. For example, your partner may choose to stay at your present home until your current house sells, they find a suitable job in the new location, or your children’s school year ends.
Estimate The Costs Associated With The Move
Relocating can be expensive. In addition to the actual move, you may need to pay for a mortgage penalty, storage unit, or temporary residence. Research will help determine the costs associated with:
- Moving. How much will it cost to buy packing materials, rent a moving van, or hire professional movers?
- Travel. Until you are fully settled in your new residence, you may need to pay for a longer commute, other travel costs, temporary housing, and transportation and parking in your new location.
- Time off work. Searching for a new home, coordinating the move, setting up utilities, and investigating childcare or educational facilities for your kids all take time. You should be prepared to spend some time off work to navigate the move.
- Selling your home. Real estate fees, professional cleaners, and staging assistance are all financial costs that you need to consider when moving. Additionally, if you are selling a home with a mortgage but moving to a rental property, you will likely need to pay a mortgage penalty fee.
- Breaking your lease. If you’re currently renting, you may have to pay a lease-breaking fee or consider subletting your home until the lease expires.
- Everything else. Will you need to ship your vehicle? Will you need to pay deposits on utilities? Will your pet require different or updated vaccinations? Will you need to rent a storage unit?
Relocation Support: What You Can (And Can’t) Expect
Previously, companies often offered lucrative relocation packages. Unfortunately, that is no longer the norm. Instead, your job offer might include limited relocation support, such as:
- A signing bonus that’s meant to offset moving costs.
- Limited reimbursement for moving expenses, based on submitted receipts.
- Discounted rates through recommended partners.
It’s important to ask early in the interview process about the type of relocation support that will be provided. A lump sum paid once the job offer is signed may help you manage moving costs more easily than paying out of pocket and banking on a reimbursement. But regardless, the amount of financial support and the way it is provided may be a determining factor in whether you accept the job offer and relocate.
Create A Comprehensive Moving Plan
Once you’ve worked through the checklist and you’ve made a decision about relocating for the job on offer, it’s time to create a comprehensive moving plan – of course, that’s only necessary if you are actually willing to move for the role.
Have that moving plan ready to discuss as you enter the final stages of the interview process. The hiring committee will be looking for reassurance that you’ve fully thought the opportunity through and are willing to commit to a job offer that includes the need to relocate.
While you don’t need to explain every detail that you’ve worked through on the checklist above, you should be prepared to relay the following information to your interviewers:
- Your target move date, keeping in mind that it should align with their expectations about your start date and onboarding timeline.
- Your plan for securing housing in your new area.
- The logistics for the move, including how you will be moving (e.g., professional movers or a rental van) and how the costs for the move will be covered.
- How your partner and/or family feels about relocating and how you will all support each other through the move.
- Any concerns you have about the timing of the move.
Knowing that you’ve given serious consideration to relocating, including extensive personal reflection and research, reassures the interviewers of your intentions and gives them insight into your soft skills.
Getting Ready To Move
Congratulations! You’ve accepted an amazing job offer in a wonderful community and you’re getting ready to move. In addition to all the research and reflection you’ve already done, a few additional steps can help make the move a smooth one. As you prepare to pack up and relocate, consider:
- Visiting the area in advance. Spending even just a weekend in your new municipality can give you time to figure out work, school, and shopping routes; investigate transit options; scout out nearby green spaces and activity centers; and get a feel for the area’s culture and community.
- Joining local social media groups. Online groups that are specific to your new municipality or neighborhood can provide a wealth of advice and information about housing options, local furnishings and supplies, and events.
- Labelling everything when you pack. In addition to indicating the room each box should be deposited in, include a full list of contents.
- Giving yourself grace. Relocating requires a lot of time, effort, and financial input. You may be overwhelmed with packing, frustrated by the real estate market, worried about paying for everything, or feeling grief about giving up connections in your current community. Build in downtime, take good care of yourself (rest, eat, exercise), and be patient with yourself.
Through it all, stay in touch with your recruiter. They can provide guidance, connect you with resources in your new location, and help you advocate for additional relocation support from your employer.
Relocating for work can unlock amazing opportunities and, particularly during these times, it may provide the jumpstart your career needs. But, relocating is a big step, with many complex financial, logistical, physical, and emotional aspects to consider. If, after giving it serious thought, it’s something you’re willing to do, creating a comprehensive relocation plan to present to your prospective employer can help you secure a fantastic job offer.
