| More jobs today require relocation to advance your career. The trend today is for companies to pay less and less of the expenses to relocation. Here are some tips to make your relocation go smoother:
- Understand what your employer will and will not pay for. Get it in writing so you don’t have any surprises.
- Have research on your side. Get quotes from movers and calculate the difference in the cost of living between your area and the area in which the company is located. Knowing these numbers can help you when you're negotiating with the employer because it shows them that you're interested in getting the best deal for both you and the company
- Wait for the right moment. Wait until the job is offered to negotiate relocation expenses. Ask if the company is willing to consider including relocation expenses in the package and ask for a range of how much they're willing to spend.
- Express your enthusiasm. Don't take for granted the importance of expressing how much you want the job and how excited you are at the prospect of joining the team.
- Rent initially. When relocating to a new city or state, it makes sense to rent first because it allows you to learn more about the area you're relocating to without the commitment of home ownership. It also gives you time to get acquainted with your new job and new city. Purge, purge, purge -- View moving as an opportunity to de-clutter by donating, recycling or disposing of those things you don't need or want.
- Stay organized. When moving for a new job, time may not always be on your side. Therefore, you need to plan ahead as much as possible. Create a file that includes a detailed timeline for the moving process, important contact information and any necessary documents.
- Keep records. From your job offer, to specifics about your relocation package, to phone numbers and even photographs of your new apartment; keep detailed records of all aspects of your move. Be sure that you keep these records handy - do not include them in the items that will be transferred by the movers.
Do you have relocation tips or resources to share? Please send them to us. We’ll be sure to give you credit on the page if we use your suggestion.
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