We now live in a world in which most industries aren’t just regionally based — they’re global. Because of this, jobs with relocation packages is more possible than ever before, even for people who want to move to a new country. While relocation jobs may sound exciting at first, there are a lot of factors that come into play when you consider relocating for a new job.
https://www.arbeitnow.com/jobs-with-relocationWhy People Seek Relocation Jobs
Anytime you apply for a job that isn’t located near your current geographical location, you will likely be asked why you’re interested in a job that requires you to relocate. Most of the time, the answer is simple: the new job opportunity will advance your career and/or help you earn more money.
However, financial gain isn’t the only reason why people relocate.Sometimes, people relocate so they can be closer to family or friends. Other times, people see a relocation job as an opportunity to start fresh and reinvent themselves. In some cases, people even relocate for work just because they like the city where the new job is located.
While you may have any number of reasons for seeking job relocation, you should always make sure you think through your decision and don’t do anything impulsively. After all, moving is expensive and time consuming — it’s not something people just do on a whim!
Considerations for Relocation
Whether you’re moving to another country or just to another city, relocating for a job is never an easy decision. Even if the opportunity alone seems like enough to justify relocation, you should always factor in the following considerations before you sign that new job contract.
Relocation Expenses
First and foremost, any type of job relocation costs money. Some of these expenses include full-service movers or rental fees for self-moving, deposits for a new home and utilities, short-term housing costs if you need to relocate before your new home is available, and travel expenses. In fact, some experts say it can cost $10,000 or more to relocate for work.
Before you interview for a relocation job, you will want to think long and hard about your relocation expenses and weigh the pros and cons of your move. Even though many employers offer relocation assistance, some preliminary research can help you determine potential relocation expenses so you can negotiate during a job offer if needed. You can ask your potential employer about relocation help during your job interview.
Cost of Living Differentials
Relocation expenses aside, nearly any relocation job comes with a change in your cost of living. Sometimes relocating actually works to your advantage, especially if you currently live in a city with a high average cost of living. Other times, especially with relocation jobs located abroad, your cost of living may increase significantly — and this can make a huge difference in terms of comfortable living.
If possible, use a cost of living calculator to evaluate the differential between your current cost of living and the possible cost of living if you relocate. Then, compare this differential to the salary differential between your current job and your prospective job to determine if a relocation job makes financial sense. See how Salary Calculation works in Germany here.
Licensing and Other Legal Requirements
Depending on the industry you work in, job relocation may also mean applying for licensure or work permits for another country or state. Most professional careers, like teaching, medicine, law, or building, require some type of license in addition to a college degree. Before you apply for a relocation job, you will likely want to research what licensure requirements you’ll need to meet in the new location.
Furthermore, if you plan to move out of the country, chances are you’ll need to obtain a Work Visa or Work Permit so you can legally work in a country without citizenship. Just like with licensure, you’ll want to clearly understand any work permit requirements before you move to a new location.
Your Long-Term Career Goals
Even if a specific relocation job makes sense for the immediate boost in income, you should always consider your long-term career goals when choosing any job. Ask yourself, “Will this new position provide me with future raises and promotion opportunities? Can I use this new job as momentum to help me reach my dream job?” If so, then it’s probably worth it to relocate.
Also, any job that will help you gain a new skill set or help you stand out in your career field is a safe bet. Whether your prospective employer is willing to pay for additional training or the position simply provides you with the space to learn something new, those opportunities can pay for themselves for years to come.
The Impact on Your Family
Unless you are single and completely estranged from your entire family, chances are your job relocation won’t just impact you — it will also impact your family. Because of this, you need to stop and consider how this move may impact each part of your family, from your spouse to your parents or siblings.
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship, you will want to consider how easy (or hard) it will be for your partner to find relocation jobs in their career. If relocation isn’t possible for your partner, will that affect your relationship? If so, is that impact worth relocating?
Likewise, if you have children, you will want to research the schools in the area you plan to relocate. Also, if your child participates in any extracurricular activities, you may want to check if the same sports or activities are available in the new city. This information may influence, at the very least, where you decide to live.
What Is Relocation Assistance?
Since relocation is often expensive for job seekers, many employers will offer some type of relocation assistance as part of their formal job offer. Essentially, relocation assistance is a short-term benefit designed to help a new employee cover their moving expenses.
While not every relocation package is the same, most companies offer at least some of the following types of relocation assistance:
Moving services or a stipend of relocation expenses
Home selling/purchasing assistance
Temporary housing coverage
Travel expenses or reimbursement of travel expenses
Storage costs
Spousal employment assistance
Childcare or parental care expenses
You should absolutely ask about relocation assistance before accepting a job, possibly during the interview phase. Having this information up front can really help you weigh the pros and cons of this potential job, especially if you have multiple job options on the table.
Final Thoughts
Relocating for work can be an amazing experience, but it can also come with its fair share of stress. Before you make the choice to apply and interview for relocation jobs, make sure you fully understand the ins and outs of job relocation and what moving to a new city will entail.
