You have been offered what seems to be a fantastic job, but the position will force you to relocate. This is a big decision, and difficult if you have already established roots in your current community. Before jumping at the opportunity, there are questions you need to ask your potential employer?and yourself.??
What To Ask Your Employer
???? Think beyond work benefits. A move, especially if you have a family to uproot, can cause emotional upheaval. So, relocation coach Allegra Stein, resident relocation coach at mymove.com,? advises you to ask: ?Will there be emotional support provided to me and my spouse/partner following the move?? And ?How do you prepare your new employees for the emotional strain of a big relocation?? Some companies will provide or pay for a counselor or a relocation specialist who can help you maneuver not just the logistics but the emotions behind the big move.
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What to Ask Yourself
???? New job, new life. ?If you are moving, you will have to make new friends, find new out-of-the-office activities, and basically find a new community to call your own. Do you want to do this? Ask yourself, says Stein: ?What parts of my identity will I be giving up to make this move?,? ?What parts of my identity will remain the same when I make this move?,? and ?Will there be opportunities in this new space for me and my family to discover new parts of ourselves and the kind of lives we want to lead??
???? Pro and cons. Leadership growth expert Val Wright of Val Wright Consulting suggests making a list of what is important to you–what you do on weekends, where you eat, where you exercise, kids schools, walking your dog… ?Then find out how that would work in your new location,? says Wright. Then write out a list of your deal breakers and wishes. ?Use this in your negotiations,? she advises. ?It could be salary, sign on bonus, buying back your house, temporary accommodations for six months, three flights home a year, etc.?
???? Know your value. It is important to know your worth, says Wright. ?Understand the market, know what people with similar experience in similar industries are earning,? she explains. ?Do the math, be clear about your earnings history and what the potential is at your current company.? After this, ?establish your ‘love’ number and your ‘happy’ number and then be prepared to walk away if you don’t get it.?
If you are willing to create a new life for yourself and for your family, and your new job will fullfill most of your needs and requests, then relocating for a new job could be a great life and career adventure.
