Relocating to find work can be a bold step in anyone’s career, especially if you have never done so before. It can be an exciting and uncertain time in your life, but it is important to look at the transition proactively, as if your talents are need somewhere else in the world. With that said, relocating can still be a strain on your family, expenses and other aspects of your personal life. To help you make as smooth a transition as possible, here are seven secrets to make your relocation a breeze.
Don’t Commit Until Absolutely Necessary
Obviously, if you receive a job offer for the position you want most and it is in your ideal location, you should take it. For the most part, however, you should hold out until you hear back from all of the jobs you applied for, or at least until a front-runner requires you to make a decision.
Mini-Vacation Time
One of the best ways to simplify your job relocation search is to simply take a mini-vacation to a city or area that you are fond of and then apply for a few jobs while you are there. Employers are more likely to be willing to meet with you if you are in town. Spending a few weeks in a city to network and start interviewing can help expedite the job-hunting process, and help you determine if the city is somewhere you could call home.
Don’t Stretch Yourself Too Thin
It may be hard not to over spend when you are traveling around to new areas looking for work, especially if they are far off places, but it can really help to save you money in the long run. Moving can be expensive, so don’t spend every last penny while traveling and job searching. On these preliminary trips to scout out prospective places to work, don’t go crazy with your spending. In other words, buy food at the grocery store on your trip, not the finest restaurant in town.
Save up for the Big Move
The biggest expense you will likely incur when relocating is the actual moving costs. Storing your items in a SmartStop self storage facility while you are traveling will keep your belongings safe and secure for a cheaper price than renting your apartment for a few extra months. A moving truck, movers, food along the way, and gas will all factor into your relocation budget. Not to forget, you will likely have to pay a nice chunk of change in upfront move in costs before you get the keys to your new place. All things considered, it is best to have a nice nest egg to fall back on when relocating.
Set a Deadline
What’s the use if you never make a decision on your new job and place to live? It is crucial to set a deadline for yourself to have a job and place to move. That way, you can get over the stress of moving and get settled at your new home and work.
Who do You Know?
Moving to a place where you don’t know anyone is significantly more difficult than moving somewhere that you have a support system. At the very least, you should have a friend nearby that you can call in emergencies. Regardless of how well your potential job pays, if you don’t know anyone where it is located, it simply may not be worth it.
Set Your Sights on a General Area
One of the most proactive methods of relocating for work is to pick a general area that you can see yourself living in and focus your job seeking efforts on that particular place. Doing so will allow you to get more acquainted with the area you will be living, and limit your time wasted in other places that you don’t really want to end up.
