Consider Relocation

I can’t begin to count the number of times, over the 20 plus years I’ve been involved with recruiting, of when I call someone about an opportunity, which might involve relocation, they think about it for a day or two and come back to say:

“You know Jeff? It sounds like the perfect opportunity; great career move, exactly what I’m looking for, the money, the culture, the industry, everything, but you know I just can’t consider relocation.”

  I completely understand that for some people they’re very comfortable where they’re at. But when you’re talking with individuals who are more urgently looking to find a position and they restrict themselves in terms of geography in that way, I’m disappointed when I hear those same individuals complain that there aren’t opportunities. There are positions out there! They may say that a company is discriminating because of age. They just make a lot of excuses, but the truth is they’re not willing to go through the hassle to consider relocation.

We’ve been taught, and probably many of us feel because of the way we grew up very comfortable especially in the Midwest, not to relocate for opportunities.  I think it’s unfortunate because I watch a lot of people time after time miss great opportunities. They could have a lot of stability in their career; getting them the things they want. That’s not just compensation.

You need to be open to relocating because relocation is not always a permanent thing.

Even if you have to do it for just a year or two, then get back into the groove while you continue to look for a better opportunity. The company you go to work for may not be real happy with that decision, but you have to look out for yourself. No one cares about your career as much as you do!