Whilst your skills and experience certainly lend themselves to certain types of
jobs, they aren’t the only things you should consider when applying for a
new position, particularly when looking to relocate. Whilst you may be thrilled to
get that job in a new city, don't underestimate the difficulties involved. From financial strain to fitting in with your
new co-workers, you may experience a lot more stress than you anticipated.
So, before responding “Yes” to our question “Are you willing to relocate?” please seriously
consider the following:
-
Do
your research with regards to salary expectations of the new area you want to
relocate to, especially if you are moving from a small town/area to one of the
larger cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. Determine the job you
want to have in the new town. This may or may not be the same as your current
job - when determining your job, assess your current skills and
qualifications to determine what type of jobs you are good at. Decide which city you want to work in - do
research on the city, including the cost of living and salary statistics.
Salary statistics reveal how much you can expect to be paid for specific job
position, based on geographic location.
-
Note that you cannot
expect that your new employer can cover your increase in living expenses if the
salary is not market related in the area or for your skills - think
this through before you apply/go for an interview since you do not want to
waste the employers time if your salary increase is not viable, remember, most
agents and organisations will ask for your current salary and make a offer on
this.
Other
things to consider before deciding on a city include the climate, culture,
public transport and school systems, if you have children. Before deciding to move to a city you are
unfamiliar with, plan a scouting trip. This
gives you a firsthand look at what the city is like.
Perhaps the most obvious facet
of relocating is the expense involved. Even
if your new company provides you with a relocation allowance, the costs can
really add up. Don't underestimate the expenses of the removal truck, deposits
or down payments on a new home, fuel, temporary accommodation, food, etc. If you don't plan for these setbacks, the stress may interfere with your
ability to begin your new job successfully.
A move can be highly
stressful. You won't know how to get around your first few days and may get
lost on your first trip to the store. You may feel lonely because you left
friends and family behind.... or your church. Similarly, your wife and kids may
have also left friends behind, and your kids must now acclimate themselves to
their new school. Chaos is likely to ensue for several weeks or months as you
unpack, wait for your house to sell, decide on decorations for your new living
quarters and learn your way around the city.
Once however, you have
carefully considered all the parameters, accepting a new job in a new city/town
can be wonderfully exciting and full of opportunities!
Read 10 Reasons Why You Should Move to Another City in Your 20’s