On occasion, to take a step up the career ladder, you may need to relocate and find work in a place which is far from where you are now. It can be a daunting experience to pick up your life and find a home somewhere new. However, with the right approach to planning and executing the move, it doesn’t need to be stressful.
Whether you’ve been asked to transfer to a new office, or you’re on the hunt for a completely new position in a different city, ensure you’ve thought of the following:
Make the move with your finances in order
Relocating can be demanding financially, especially if you’re not getting monetary support from your current employer. The cost of moving house, renting temporary accommodation, transporting your furniture and belongings from one place to another: it can all add up very quickly.
As such, it’s advisable to have your personal finances in order before you make the move. Attempt to pay off any outstanding debts, such as credit cards or small loans, so you’re starting your new life with a clean slate. If you’re unsure how to set up an achievable repayment plan, ask an expert for advice. Don’t forget to inform your banks about the move, and provide them with a forwarding address to send statements and official correspondence to.
Consider everyone in the family
If you’re moving as a family, you’ll have a few more details to figure out, such as what are the schools like where you’re going, and will your partner be working in the new location too?
A move can be hard on children, especially if they’ve been in your current home for their entire lives. Look for a new school that is welcoming and encourages interaction between pupils, for example, a private school such as Hendon Prep, which organizes many school trips, co-curricular activities and uses a House system to create strong, long-lasting bonds between students. A strong social network is important for each member of the family to feel settled in your new neighborhood.
Have a contingency plan in place
You may feel more confident proceeding with the relocation if you know you’ve got a backup plan in mind. If you own the house you’re currently living in, consider whether it’s a viable route for you to rent it out to a new family, rather than selling it on. That way, if the move doesn’t work out as you wanted, you’ve got your house to come back to.
When you do move on, ensure you continue to nurture your professional network where you used to live. Stay in touch with old colleagues and keep in communication with a local recruiter. That way, you’ll be able to quickly get a read on employment opportunities if you find your new position isn’t what you thought it would be.
If you take the time to consider the move carefully, what living in a new town will mean for yourself and other members in the family and plan for different eventualities, you’ll find that relocating for work can be a simple process.
