How to determine if relocating is right for your career path
Sometimes the key to landing the perfect job is looking outside your comfort zone.
If you aren’t finding what you are looking for where you’re at, you might need to expand your horizons and consider picking up and moving to a new city.
Considering a relocation for your career? This article can help you determine if it’s the right move for you.
Making the move: is it right for your career?
Not everyone lives in a city with a good job market. If your career doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and you are struggling to find opportunities, it might be worth considering a move. However, before you make the leap and move overseas or across country, there are three things to consider to determine if relocation is truly right for you.
1) Personal satisfaction
This one might seem a bit odd, but it’s important — we promise. It’s not uncommon for some people to justify moving for their career for the wrong reasons, such as emotional fulfillment. In other words, if you are considering a move simply to make you happier, then you might want to reconsider.
That’s not to say that a move can’t make you happier, but you shouldn’t only be making the move based on your current state of happiness. If you are feeling unfulfilled in your current life, moving won’t necessarily fix that problem. Sometimes, feeling fulfilled and happier is more about the people in your life, your daily habits, and how you socialize.
2) Opportunity assessment
If you are looking to relocate to a certain area, make sure you will be met with the right job opportunities. There are a number of new trends affecting the job market that are important to consider before you move.
If you want to work in tech or already have experience in tech, for example, then it might be worth considering moving to a city where there are plenty of tech job opportunities. For example, AI is having a huge impact on the job market right now and presents numerous opportunities for those looking to get into the field. A number of companies are adding new AI-related job positions to their lineup.
If this is something you are interested in, then it’s worth looking into cities with companies that are leading in AI advancements, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston, Austin, and Denver – just to name a few.
This is just one example, of course, but you get the idea. If you are going to relocate, make sure the city you choose will have the right opportunities for your chosen career path. Additionally, look into the opportunities for growth in those cities and whether or not there will be opportunities that help you advance in your career as well as the salary and benefit opportunities.
3) Quality of life
While a move might be good for your job, it’s also important to consider how a relocation could impact other aspects of your life, such as your finances and your relationships. For example, if you plan to move to a city like LA or New York for career opportunities, it’s also a good idea to make sure you will be compensated accordingly to afford the higher cost of living.
You should also consider the impact on your relationships with friends, family, and even your romantic partner. Moving could elevate your career journey, but if it has a negative impact on your relationships then you will need to weigh the pros and cons and consider what is best for your personal and family needs.
Outside of money and relationships, it’s also wise to consider other factors that could impact your life when you move, such as the weather, access to cultural and recreational amenities, and even transportation.
If you move somewhere with harsh winters, for example, you will need to consider how that might impact you physically and mentally. Also, will there be access to things you like, such as music, the arts, museums, public transportation, community organizations, etc?
Five tips to ensure a smoother transition when moving for your career
If you do decide that a move is right for you, there are some things you can do to help the transition go a lot smoother, especially if you are moving cross-country.
1) Research your location
Make sure you thoroughly research your new city so you fully know what to expect when you arrive. It can help to even plan out some places you want to visit and things you want to do when you get there to help you feel more settled.
2) Determine a good move date
The time of year can have a significant impact on your experience, so it’s best to pick the right date to ensure a more successful move. For example, if you are moving somewhere with hot summers, you might want to move in the spring or fall when temperatures are more mild.
3) Select a reliable moving company
Whether you are moving a short or long distance, having a quality moving company you can count on is crucial. The last thing you want when relocating for your job is to find that the moving company damaged or lost some of your stuff.
4) Network before you go
Instead of waiting until you arrive, consider networking before you move to get a head start on your career path. Check out LinkedIn and make connections with people who live and work in your industry in the city where you’ll be moving.
Check out meetup groups for professionals in your industry and connect with people over social media. You can even visit the city initially before officially moving and attend some networking events and conferences.
5) Get out and socialize
Having support is important when moving to a new location, especially if you are moving on your own without any family or friends. When you arrive, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to find a new community of friends.
You can use online platforms to discover social events and attend community classes like art, fitness, or even cooking classes to meet new people. You can also use dating apps to make new connections, both romantic and social.
Ready to make a move for your career?
While the advice in the article can help, only you can decide for yourself if a relocation is right for you. Take your time weighing the pros and cons and do plenty of research. If you are putting all that effort into moving, you want to make sure that you did your due diligence and will be met with the right opportunities to propel you forward both in your career and your personal life.
