Thinking of moving to another part of the country to improve your job prospects? Relocating is a big step and could result in having to leave behind friends and family or even increase your cost of living.
Most people move from rural location to cities where there are the most jobs, but there may be niche occupations that involve doing the opposite. Whatever the case, here are some factors to consider before you relocate.
Weigh up the costs
Many people relocate for a better paid job. Whilst this may allow you to afford a better lifestyle, you should consider the difference in cost of living. Moving to London could result in higher living costs such as rent and general commodities, so you could be spending more as well as earning more. In some cases, the opposite may be true – there may be a job that you want to take for the prestige, which involves taking a wage cut.
Consider the impact on the people around you
Relocating could impact the friends and family around you. If you have a partner or children, you’ll want to check that they are happy to relocate too. If they don’t want to move, you’ll have to then decide whether the job is worth leaving them behind – some people take on jobs far away and visit their family every weekend, whilst others take long commutes every morning and evening, however this is a big sacrifice to make and could have just as much of a strain on your relationship with family. In other cases, you may want to stay close to friends in need or aging relatives.
Look into remote work
A growing number of office jobs are now hiring staff remotely. This could allow you to take a job based on the other side of the country without relocating. Working from home isn’t possible with all jobs, however it is a possibility it could be worth exploring.
Research the area thoroughly
It’s important to get a feel for the area and the opportunities that are there. You should first check what type of jobs are available. When working in Guernsey or somewhere remote you may find that there’s a limited amount of job types. You should also look into general facilities within the area such as public transport links, banks, schools and social opportunities. There may also be factors such as crime rate and possibility of natural disasters such as flooding to consider.
Secure a job before you move
In all cases, its better to secure a job before you make the decision to move. This could involve focusing on job vacancies that don’t require an immediate start. Many high-paying companies will start their search for new employees six months to a year in advance. Others may have a high enough turn around that they can hope to give you a position in several months’ time (however, a high turnaround of staff can often be a bad sign). Make sure that you plan your move at least a few days before you start your job so that you have enough time to settle in.