Give it serious thought before you go on to accept or reject a job that would require you to shift base
Changing jobs is a big step in one's career. Changing cities for it is an even bigger step. Along with dealing with new job responsibilities and work environment, there is the additional load of adjusting to an unknown city -from finding a home to blending in the new place's culture. Are you ready to make that shift if you land a job that calls for relocation? How will you convey your readiness or reluctance to an interviewer when asked about your thoughts on the matter?
Here are some tips: Learn about the company: Walk into the interview room prepared to answer a question on relocation. If the recruiters haven't already specified the job location for the role in question, confirm the same with them. If the organization holds multiple office locations in different regions, spend some time prior to the interview learning about its branch offices, products and services, operations and management, standing in the industry , etc.
Here are some tips: Learn about the company: Walk into the interview room prepared to answer a question on relocation. If the recruiters haven't already specified the job location for the role in question, confirm the same with them. If the organization holds multiple office locations in different regions, spend some time prior to the interview learning about its branch offices, products and services, operations and management, standing in the industry , etc.
The more you know about a company's work structure, the better off you are in determining whether working with them and relocating for work (should that happen) is a career advancing move or not.
If you are willing to shift base: Well, if you are game to relocate as you change jobs and if you foresee a good learning opportunity in working at a distant unit, then let your potential employer know about your readiness. You can put forth your keenness by stating something like , “Your organization has offices in almost every major city in the country , and I see that the branch in XYZ city handles the ABC operations, a work that I have been part of for quite some time and would like to be involved with in the future too.“
When your answer is in the negative/uncertain: Consider a situation wherein you are keen to join a particular company and are quite keen on the career opportunities it can provide for you.
However, you realize that joining would require relocating to a new city. Trumped for an answer and feeling pulled in two directions -a job role you like and the undesirable relocation it calls for?
However, you realize that joining would require relocating to a new city. Trumped for an answer and feeling pulled in two directions -a job role you like and the undesirable relocation it calls for?
A blunt reply in the negative could mean the end of the interview and also a good job opportunity lost. There is still a way out of this tricky situation and reaching a common ground of understanding between the interviewer and you.
If you are unable to shift THINKSTOCK right away due to reasons such as family obligations, part-time study course, etc., provide sound reasoning for your need to stay in the current location, but can supplement your response with a likely timeline by which you could be available for transfer.
Example: “My son is in the middle of his school term that will be completed in the next three months, by which time I will be able to relocate.“
Relocation factors: When a job offer that requires relocation is extended to you, you will also need to look at factors like moving costs, cost of living in the new city , family concerns (job for spouse, schooling for kids), along with the alignment of the shift with your career goals before actually committing to shifting base.
