5 Tips When Relocating for Work
When a company really wants you on the team, but you live too far away for the hands-on tasks, the company may ask you to relocate. Relocating for work can be an exciting and highly profitable opportunity, or it can be a costly logistics nightmare. It all depends on how you handle your relocation planning – and what kind of relocation package your company offers.
Being asked to relocate is flattering and you could be stepping into real career opportunities. However, the best way to make sure this transition is a victorious and enjoyable one is to plan ahead for this uprooting and replanting of your family life in a new city. We’re here to help you make life easier and set you up for new-job success when relocating for work.
1. Ask for or Find a Great Relocation Package When Relocating for Work
Never relocate for work without a relocation package.
Relocation packages are an incentive offered by employers to offset the cost of moving for work. Often, relocation packages fully cover the cost of moving – and then some – to lure professionals with the needed skills from wherever they may currently live. Always ask for a relocation package from a current employer or only consider relocating for a
new job with employers that offer a relocation package.
Covers Your Moving Costs
Don’t relocate for work unless your removal costs are covered. Relocation packages are designed to cover the cost of movers, insurance, travel, and a certain amount of work hours lost to the move. Consider your real potential costs and pad the margins for the usual give-or-take circumstances. Your relocation package should more than cover your costs of moving.
Includes Valuable Moving Perks
Some relocation packages are built in a thoughtful way that includes complimentary perks. Your employer may offer discounted packing and moving services from a certain mover or will upgrade your travel plans so that the relocation road trip is more luxurious and less costly.
Leaves Time to Settle In
Make sure the relocation package and plans leave you time to actually move. You don’t want to arrive at an empty house and then have to work the next morning. A little time to start unpacking and settling in is essential. Don’t take a relocation deal without it.
Plus a Little Extra
A really good relocation package leaves you with a little something extra. You can use this on colored tape and markers for color-coding your boxes or take your partner for a nice dinner. That little extra is often what makes a relocation package into an incentive instead of just compensation.
2. Only Relocate to Cities and Climates You Can Love
Where you’re going matters. The last thing you want is to accept a relocation deal (often contingent on staying 1-2 years) and move to a neighborhood you dislike. While every city has its charm, your preference for temperature, weather, views, and even your allergies will determine where you
can love to live. Only relocate to places you could enjoy living.
Research Your Potential New Location
Investigate all new location options and determine if any would work for you. Some of them might be beautiful destinations that call to you through photographs and descriptions. Further, some cities have great restaurants, some have great museums, and some are a network of green parks. Some relocation options are in moist, verdant climates, while others are in dry, arid climates.
If You Can, Choose a Place You Love When Relocating for Work
If there are cities and regions that you already have affection for because you have lived or vacationed there in the past, don’t be afraid to ask or investigate. Ask an employer to add multiple locations if your favorite cities will be included. If you have or have been offered a fully remote
3. Plan Ahead When Relocating for Work, From Movers to Utilities
Don’t leave anything to chance. Moving to relocate for a job is a lot busier than moving at your leisure. Your job may want you to start close to right away, and you may be moving on a shorter time scale than you’d typically prefer. So,
plan ahead and build checklists to help you get everything done on the fly.
Secure a New Home in the New City
Don’t agree to relocate until you have found several homes that you might bid or apply for. With a tight housing inventory, your happiness in relocating will depend heavily on the quality and location of the home you find. Next, make sure the home is move-in ready when you are.
Start Packing Before Relocating for Work
Once your location and new home are set up, get started with the packing and get the whole family involved. Commit to a certain number of packed boxes per day, per person, to ensure the entire house is packed in a timely manner.
Hire Movers and a Truck (Far Ahead) When Relocating for Work
Hire your movers weeks and months ahead of time, especially during warm months. Movers become surprisingly solid-booked for local and long-term moves. To smoothly manage your relocation, book your movers as far ahead of time as possible.
Set Up New House Utilities
Make sure the new home’s utilities are transferred to your name, and that the power/water/gas and internet will be on when you arrive.
Pack Go-Bags for the Family
When packing the house, make sure to pack an overnight/travel go-bag for each person in the household. This includes changes of clothes, toiletries, and personal medications.
Plan Your Relocation Travel
Finally, plan your actual travel – whether you will be driving your car to the new location or flying and whether you’ll need hotel rooms along the way.
4. Make a “First 90 Days” Plan When Relocating for Work
Don’t get too caught up in the moving aspect of a work relocation. You should also be gearing up to make your
first 90 days in the new job a rockstar performance. Even if your house is only half-unpacked when those 90 days begin.
Timeline From Move-in to Work Starting
Figure out how much lead-up time you have between moving in and your first day in the new job. Make plans for that time. Get the house and, most importantly, your personal work clothes, supplies, and office gear ready to go.
Build a New Routine After Relocating for Work
Establish a new morning routine that will have you out of bed, energetic, and breakfasted on time for the new commute. Work with your family to build a routine that accommodates everyone’s new schedule needs in the new location.
Tackle the First 90 Days With Focus
Once you’re established, dive into the first 90 days of this new job with focus and a desire to knock the socks off of managers and co-workers.
5. Take Time to Explore Your New Home
Finally, if you really want to make your relocation a success, start “going local”. Get to
know your new city. Find things to love about it and ways to enjoy yourself close to home. After all, living somewhere new and fantastic is one of the major benefits of accepting a relocation package with a new job.
Take Time to Unpack
Don’t rush unpacking too much. Take your time, unpacking at least one box a day. The more unpacked and organized your home is, the easier it will be to focus on your new job.
Order Takeout From Nearby Restaurants
Food delivery to the house remains a time-honored moving tradition. Before your kitchen is fully set up, this is your opportunity to explore the local cuisine by ordering takeout from several of the nearby highly-rated restaurants that deliver to your new home.
Walk Your Neighborhood
Just take a walk. A simple stroll out your front door will introduce you to your immediate neighborhood. There may be a park around the block, or a community corner store just a few streets away. You may love the look and feel of the homes near your new home, or you may want to stroll along the nearby shops. Stretch your legs and learn to love the streets nearest your new home.
Learn More About Relocating for Work
A relocation package is a valuable offering when an employer needs your skills in a specific location. In order to build those skills that will unlock your next career move, explore the learning opportunities at
Apprentice Now.