Things to Consider When Thinking About an Employment Relocation
Switching up jobs is never an easy decision; it’s a lot harder when employment relocation is a part of the equation. There are many things to take into consideration and a lot of research that needs to take place.
As an employee relocation consulting company in Toronto, Canada, we’ve worked with and helped a lot of people in various stages of the relocation process. We understand firsthand that deciding to relocate for a job is more than just a career decision, it’s a major life change. It’s important to have all the information and the right relocation resources. Whether you’re debating moving a couple hours away or to the other side of the world, it’s extremely important to carefully weigh all the pros and cons of moving.
Spend some time and gain a full understanding of both your local job market and your profession’s employment rate in the place you are thinking about relocating to. Your ability to find a good job is one of the most important things to take into consideration before you even think about moving. Employment stats tend to shift over time, so you’ll want to take a look at both narrow and long-term timeframes to gain an accurate understanding. Don’t limit your research; be sure to investigate the employment trends in neighbouring communities.
Be honest with yourself and understand your goals. It’s important to ask some key questions.
Do you enjoy living in your current location? Sometimes people have a strong preference for the familiar settings of their hometown and it may be hard to adjust to another city. Relocating means that you will need to build a new social network and become accustomed to new surroundings. This may appeal to some, but others may dread the thought.
It’s ideal to first visit a place before you uproot your current life to relocate. The Internet is an excellent resource to gain an understanding of a new place, but there’s nothing like actually spending a few days in a city to truly appreciate it.
Risk is another factor that people relocating must deal with. There will always be some level of risk in relocating. Be honest with yourself and gauge the amount of risk you are willing to live with.
Make a list of things that you enjoy doing in your current city. Do some research and determine how you will be able to maintain the same lifestyle in the place you’re thinking about relocating to. Get a sense of the local geography and try to find a house or an apartment near these areas of interest. The first few weeks and months are critical to a successful relocation and keeping busy and healthy are very important.
Maybe you’re not the only one relocating. Have honest conversations with your partner or children about their goals and worries. It’s important that everyone is on the same page. If your loved ones are miserable because of a move it will be hard for everyone involved. Spend some time and research schools for any children and local job markets in your partner’s field.
Get a good understanding of your new cost of living. The amount of money needed to maintain your current lifestyle may vary greatly from region to region. For example, someone moving from Regina to Toronto will probably need to spend more for rent, food and transportation. You will want to ensure that your new salary will compensate you adequately enough to handle any increase in living costs. Keep in mind that taxes can vary from province to province and even more so for an international relocation. Someone making $50,000 in Regina may need to make $90,000 to live in Toronto.
Relocating for a new job can be a great change. As relocation professionals, we have helped a lot of people move to some really great opportunities. Do your research and get a strong understanding of your goals and what life will look like once you move. Working with a company offering Canadian and international relocation services is a great way to ensure a smooth journey. Feel free to contact us to learn more about employment relocation planning.
HOW TO: Travel while working remotely.
The concept of working remotely continues to grow in popularity, as it provides an aspect of freedom that the workforce hasn’t seen much of pre-pandemic.