Things to Ask Your Employer Before Relocating for a Job
Ask Your Employer Before Relocating For A Job
“Are you ready to relocate?” a question every professional is asked. Read this article to have an appropriate answer before you jump into any hasty conclusion.
Relocating can be a very ambivalent situation. Professionals who are early in their career, with no social strings attached to the present work location, can find it quite exciting to relocate to a new place. This can prove to be significant with regards to their career growth. On the contrary, for individuals who have spent years, working at the same place and have a well settled family life there, the thought of relocating can be little disturbing.
Again for individuals who are yet to start with their first working experience and are constantly looking for job opportunities, relocating to a new place may seem to be very appealing. However, don't rush; take some time to research on your job prospects at the location you are planning to relocate. In short, irrespective of your working experiences, relocation is an issue that needs to be dealt with more seriousness and foresightedness.
Financial Issues :
If you are working in a company that plans to get shifted to a new place; it is your right to be informed about the factors that are leading to the relocation of your entire company.
Sometimes many companies find it financially non profiting to continue in areas with high real estate costs; so they make plans of shifting to places in the same city that offer cheaper rates. These places are mostly far from the center of the city, where you may be residing; as most residential areas are located at the heart of the city. This may effect your annual budget, for you need to spend more on your car fuel or any other means of transport to reach your new workplace.
In such situations, you need to ask your HR manager about travel allowances the company offers. If your organization is already providing you with a company vehicle for some amount of money, then make sure you don't need to spend extra on the same, now that your company has shifted to a new place. Otherwise, the whole thing boils down to a situation where your company keeps flourishing at the cost of your financial health.
In a situation where your company transfers you to an entirely new city; it becomes further complicated. Firstly, you need to get an accommodation in that city and then move to the new place with all your belongings. You may be content with the salary increment or promotion that comes with the relocation offer or vice versa. However, if you spend huge amount of money staying in hotels, when you are still looking for accommodation and then pay the movers and packers to get your belongings at your new residence – Do you really think its worth it? Always confirm with your employers about these expenses before you accept the offer.
As already mentioned, job seekers who agree to relocate within seconds; this decision can bring financial burdens upon you. So Beware. Getting a job is all about having the required skill and being at the right place at right time. Relocating can be beneficial for some while a regret for others. So always seek advice of before you come to a conclusion. It is good if you discuss the matter with people who have taken up such decisions in the past and were successful. Career advise websites such as BSR can be of great help to decide on these matters.
Career advancement issues :
Another area of concern pertains to your job profile or your designation at your new work place. Mostly, professionals are transferred to new places in order to work for other branches of the same company. They are given new designation, that requires them to handle different job responsibilities. Get on to a face to face discussion with your employer to leave no doubt about these duties that you will be expected to fulfill there. If any salary negotiation is required, go ahead. Most importantly, decide if you will be able to enjoy the new work load and don't just get carried away with the attractive salary package accompanied with the offer. If you don't like your job responsibilities, you will not be able to put in your best performances and finally it may have a negative impact on the path of your career development.
Family Welfare issues :
Now you may belong to a tightly knitted family, where the presence of every member of the family at dinner table is as important as the completion of your office work within a stipulated time. You may have children who cannot do without you. Your spouse may not be willing to give up his/her job in order to move along with you to your new place of work. Request your employers to grant you some time; may be a couple of days time, so that you can find solutions to these issues essential for your family welfare. Utilize that time to find out schools in the new area; so that your children's education is not hampered. Learn about the cost of living in the new city so that you don't need to compromise with your standards of living. Know everything possible, be it crime rates in that area or shopping outlets, medical care, weather condition or public transport. Compare those with your present situation and then decide to make the final move.
Assurance in writing :
After weighing all possibilities, when you finally decide to relocate and you have successfully negotiated your priorities, with that of your company; make sure you get everything in writing. If your company agrees on compensation package for your relocation expenses, you need to get a formal agreement to support it. The letter of agreement needs to mention your new designation and job responsibilities, salary package with effective date and all relocation allowances, the company promises to provide.
Relocating can have a great impact on your professional and personnel life. Thus it becomes important that you have viewed the situation from every angle so that you do not regret the decision later in life. This article has been written in an effort to ease your relocation process. Hope you found it useful.