If you’re looking for a job in the tech or creative space, relocating may be in your future.

Now, I’m no psychic, but as a recruiter, I do know some talent is harder to find than others, which has led many companies to look outside of their market to find the right person for the job. A great example would be the high demand of our User Experience (UX) roles in Atlanta which has led us to broaden our scope to match our clients with the best candidates!

When I find someone that is a good fit for the role, I send them the following list of questions to gauge their relocation readiness and it has proven to be quite effective. So, if you’re open to relocating for a job, ask yourself these questions before you let your recruiter submit you for the job.

1. Have you relocated before?

For most people, if you’ve lived in the same city your entire life, the thought of uprooting your life may come as a shock, but it can also be the change you need to jumpstart your career! Indeed recently surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. tech workers and found that 57% of respondents have moved for a new job in the past and 80% of those surveyed said they have considered moving for a new job. Now that this may be on your horizon, create a pros and cons list to help you identify your relocation readiness!

2. Have you talked to everyone in your decision circle about relocation?

Before considering the position be sure to discuss the possibility of relocation with those closest to you. Moving is stressful enough, so make sure you have their buy-in before taking the plunge. But rest easy knowing that thousands of families relocate for a job every year. According to a job relocation survey of 1,000 recent relocators by Allied moving company, the majority of people (54.6%) believed that the benefits of job relocation outweighed the challenges.

3. Why are you willing to relocate to that specific city?

Do you have a genuine interest in moving to that city? What interests you about going to live there? If you’re able to, make a trip to visit the city and explore different areas before you make this life-changing decision. Nearly half (49%) of the Allied survey respondents relocated for career advancement or more money, and one in five moved to be closer to family members. Whatever your reasons, make sure the city is right for you.

4. What is your current and future living situation?

If you have a lease to break, have you considered how much that would cost? Do you have a home to sell? Finding housing in a new city – whether you’re renting or buying – is not easy. A third of the Allied survey respondents said that finding a new home was the most challenging part of relocating. The Allied survey showed that about 26.4% of people received some moving expenses and 15.75% got help with temporary living expenses. Consider renting for a few months in your new city or renting out an Airbnb. That way, you can feel out the city and figure out where you want to plant roots before making a huge investment like buying a house or securing a long-term lease.

5. What would keep you in your current city?

Are your friends and family near you now? Do you have any current ties to the community that would be difficult to give up? Making new friends, acclimating to a new community, finding new doctors and more is all part of the relocation process. So. be sure to look at the big picture including both your personal and professional life.

6. What type of compensation would you be looking for to relocate?

You need to take the cost of living in the new city into account when negotiating your salary. Your current compensation could go a lot further in the new city, but it could mean you’re strapped for cash. Use this cost of living calculator from CNN Money to set yourself up for success when negotiating your new salary. Moving to an area with a lower cost of living (43%) is the third-most common reason for considering relocation among the Indeed survey respondents.

7. If you are chosen for this job, what time frame would you need to relocate?

You need to calculate more than the typical resignation notice of two weeks, but don’t be afraid to negotiate the timeline and set the expectation that you and your family will need to successfully relocate. From the Allied survey, 41.5% had between 0 and 30 days to move and settle in before starting their new position. Some were a bit luckier (29.5%) and got 31-60 days to move.

As the company hubs – especially tech hubs – have spread outside the typical big cities, relocation has become more and more common. So, if you’re in the market for a job, keep these relocation factors in mind for a smooth transition. The best advice I can give is to be prepared. Thoroughly evaluate your life and your career to make the right decision for you.

Looking to relocate to Atlanta? Check out all the reasons to love living and working in this vibrant city!

And contact us if you need help navigating your job search.

About the author
Madison Jinks is a Creative Recruiter for Synergis. She connects candidates with their next dream job in the creative space. She specifically focuses on recruiting for UX/UI, social media & marketing positions. To stay on top of industry trends, she frequently participates in networking events around the metro-Atlanta area. Madison graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In her free time, she likes spending time with her dog, Prancer and cheering on the Crimson Tide.