Brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more job offers in the Philippines are opening up in areas outside the NCR. This provides various opportunities to more Filipinos, having the freedom to choose and weigh out their options without being limited to job openings in the NCR only.
Having that said, now is the best time to consider moving for job opportunities in other regions. However, like in any major life decision you’ll ever make, there are things you need to take note of.
In this blog, we list some of the top steps you need to take before you relocate for a job.
Is it Good to Relocate For a Job?
Job relocation is something you must take seriously. Often, part of the main questions that job interviewers ask job candidates involves their opinion on relocating when applying for a new role. In other cases, businesses move their headquarters to a new city due to their upper management’s decision. With this, it’s crucial to consider (not require) onboarding employees who are willing to take on such a responsibility to move with the company.
Relocating often comes with benefits, both for the company and the employee. If your company chooses to move, it may be a sign that they’re seeing more potential for success. If so, there’s a high chance that you can make more money as well. Apart from that, moving to a new location can bring you a new and exciting experience.
List of Steps to Take Before and When Relocating
Now, this question might still be lingering on your mind: Is relocating for a job worth it? While this is just one of the many questions to ask when relocating for a job, you need to look at various factors before you decide if this is the best choice for you.
To help you, here are what you need to do.
1. Research about and gauge your options well
Whether your employer offers to help you with your relocation or you’re deciding on your own, you must study all the possible options available to you. Some companies offer relocation assistance, so you may want to check with your employer if they would be willing to help you get settled in a new location.
Also, be ahead of the game by researching and calculating some of the costs that will be associated with your relocation. These details may come in handy once you negotiate with your employer. If they can’t offer to provide you with relocation funds, they can at least reimburse some of your expenses.
2. Find out the cost of living in your new place
Is living in your new location more expensive or more affordable than your current neighborhood? If the area is more expensive, employers can consider making adjustments to their workers’ salaries, though not guaranteed.
Once you now have a clearer picture of the change in costs, you can plan your next steps well. For example, if you’re unable to rent or buy a home right away with your current savings, you might need to take out a housing loan to make it possible. You may also ask your colleagues and friends for help in case they know other affordable location options you can consider.
3. Locate a cost-effective home
Remember that when you relocate for a job, you also need to think about how convenient it’ll be for you to commute to work, have access to local amenities, and move from one place to another. All these contribute to how you will gauge if your new place is cost-effective.
Besides, finding a new home that meets or even exceeds your financial needs and includes the features you prefer will make the move easier.
4. Visit the new location before moving
Apart from familiarizing yourself with the area, visiting the new location lets you explore the surrounding neighborhoods and find the best spot that meets your needs. Though, if it’s not possible for you to personally visit just yet, you can do your research online. Check out tourism sites, city government pages, and even online forums to learn more about the area.
5. Plan your moving date
It’s wise to move in advance of your start date to your new location. If your employer asked you to relocate for a job, they might provide you with a small window of time between leaving your current role and starting again at your new place. Use this window to your advantage to make sure everything is accounted for.
If you’re moving based on your personal decision, you may still plan out your moving date based on your job search goals and timeline. Double-check your schedule so that you won’t miss any job interviews, career orientation, training sessions, and other important dates related to your new job.
6. Set an ideal budget
Setting a budget for yourself specifically for your relocation helps you ensure a safe, well-planned, and successful moving process. Whether or not your employer helps with the move, you must consider all costs that come with your new place. These include repairing costs, moving costs, transport rates, and lifestyle expenses.
Knowing your ideal budget lets you avoid going overboard with your moving expenses. Preparing for it in advance also instills confidence in the decisions you’re making.
7. Be organized as much as you can
On top of it all, staying organized and efficient in your overall planning is the best way to get through it. As there are a lot of complex logistics involved in relocating for a job, you need to keep a list of all your to-do’s so that you won’t miss anything out. Some of these include selling or turning over your home, finding a new one, shipping all your valuables, and all the other costs involved.
As more and more ideas come along as you go about your moving process, add them to the list so as not to forget crossing out all that you’ve completed. It may seem tedious at first, but doing these steps will help you keep track of the nitty-gritty involved in moving.
Lastly, being mindful of all the things you need to consider allows you to make your job relocation successful. At the end of the day, you’re making a choice that’s an essential step on the road to furthering your career.
Complement your efforts to grow your career by knowing other areas you need to improve! Browse through more of Bossjob’s personal growth guides and career advice blogs you definitely shouldn’t miss.
