Willing to move for a new job? NOT willing to move? Clarity in communicating your desires and reasonable and informed reasons for those desires is critical in convincing your recruiter or human resources contact to consider you for their non-local opening. Relocation flexibility will significantly increase the number of positions you can pursue but be prepared to offer tangible reasons for your flexibility. The vast majority of job seekers prefer not to move and hiring manager’s bias will be heavily weighted to local candidates.
Reasons to say YES to relocation:
1. The new firm is in a geographic hub for your particular expertise. Silcon Valley, Austin, Texas, Raleigh/Durham, NC are all hotbeds of IT hiring. Being there pays off for your career…and they are great places to live, too!
2. The new firm is the leader in your specialty area. Working for the best leads to positive results for your career.
3. I’ve worked with some of your staff previously and am excited at the prospect of doing so again. Glowing recommendations from existing employees are an ace in the hole!
4. I have family in the area or my fiancé/significant other took a job in the area. The absolute most convincing reason to move.
5. I want to reduce my commute. Be specific on how this new location improves your quality of life.
6. I want a lower cost of living. Leaving high cost of living locations like New York City or San Francisco is best appreciated by non-New Yorkers and non-San Franciscans.
7. I want a better school district/environment for my children. Emphasize the long-term nature of this choice by sharing your research and careful consideration of the target location.
8. I want a warmer climate. Again, making it clear this is a long-term, quality of life choice. Clients are skittish about life long Minnesotans wanting to move to Florida or California and then missing “home” after two years of sun and fun. Convince them that your move is permanent.
Reasons to say NO to relocation:
1. You have teenage children, a spouse who can’t change jobs or other commitments to your current location. If your family can’t move, your temporary relocation or desire for it won’t sell as a long-term commitment.
2. You have never left your neck of the woods. If you grew up, went to college and did all your internships and jobs in the same general geographic area, no firm will seriously consider you for another location.
3. You are living in a hotbed of hiring and your career options are just fine.
