When it comes to relocating—be it personal or for career advancement, it is a big step and one that should not be taken lightly. However, when it comes to moving for your career there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. The type of work you do can play heavily into the area that you may be moving. States differ in career strengths and weaknesses and some careers do better than others in various states. Many technical jobs—mechanical, electrical, construction, IT, engineering, administration and education all provide strong opportunities for those willing to consider moving. WorkSource has some tips on what you should be paying attention to when you consider moving to advance your career.
Consider your lifestyle
This is a strong point to make for myriad reasons. If you are a family person and trying to advance your career, a move to Las Vegas or Miami may not be conducive to your family lifestyle. You also need to consider your spouse’s current career and whether a move may hurt their career track or goals. No matter where a move takes you, lifestyles always change and you and your family need to be willing to adapt to a new environment. It is best to look at the schools and security in the area you are looking to move, (if you have kids or are planning on having kids). If they are a step below where you currently live, that may negatively impact your family. If, however, you are single and willing to move for your career then you want to look more closely at how the lifestyle of the new area will best fit your own current lifestyle and what type of adjustments you will need to make. While single and unattached moving can still take an emotional toll. It means networking all over again, establishing new friendships and finding ways to enjoy your hobbies or passions in a new place. Whether a family person or single, it comes down to work/life balance and being able to have that in a new environment.
Look at the company from a financial standpoint
If you are an individual considering a move because the company you are considering may be able to advance your career in ways your current position cannot, look very closely at the new company’s financials. Making a move to a new place, especially out of state, can cost you a great deal—and not just in terms of the actual move. You are uprooting your lifestyle, disconnecting from current networks where you live, looking for a new place to live (and possibly relinquishing a current roof over your head), all for job advancement. If the new company is just starting out or has struggled financially in the past, these are warning signs that you should pump the breaks. Moving is worth the risk if it aligns with your long-term career goals. If you feel that the opportunity is in the best interest of your long-term plans, then it may be worthwhile.
Look at the new area from a financial standpoint
A new position may offer higher pay, leaving little to stress over when it comes to cost of living in your new area. However, your salary could be lower, with advancements offered in other ways. If this is the case and you are moving to a more expensive city, your lifestyle may be dramatically altered. Websites such as livingwage.mit.edu provide salary data for employee and employers in various states. If you are moving to an area where the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, you could pay upward of 50 percent more for simple things like groceries, gasoline, housing, utilities and even healthcare. For example, it may sound exotic to move to Hawaii for a good job opportunity, but with limited access to import/export, items such as milk and eggs cost significantly higher than they would in other areas.
The best way to advance your career is to do your homework. Look at how relocating will effect every angle and aspect of your life. Making an educated decision will be the best way for you to make the most out of an exciting and challenging opportunity that may offer you an abundance of rewards.
WorkSource Staffing, premiere recruiting firm serving Des Moines Iowa, wants to give you the tools you need to make important decisions in your career. Contact our team at WorkSource Staffing today to find out how we can help you!