Relocating: How To Make The Most Of Relocating
By Sklar & Associates In Candidate Article On August 3, 2014
There are few events in life more rewarding than relocating to a new city.
Packing up and moving can be scary; however, people who move for their careers often find that the move opens up rewarding professional and personal opportunities they couldn’t find back home.
It’s an experience many digital and traditional media professionals experience.
When the economy slumps, jobseekers often broaden their search to include expansive geographic regions. But, even when the economy is strong, the advertising and media industries are spread around the country, meaning media professionals often move to new cities to find new opportunities.
“I was in year-two of this three-year economic downturn and definitely got to a point where I went where there was a job,” says an executive at a Midwest ad agency. “I felt fortunate that I wasn’t tied down and could do that.”
Of course, being prepared is the only way to ensure that relocating is a rewarding experience.
Cathy Goodwin, author of “Making the Big Move,” suggests talking to several people familiar with the new city before accepting a job, to ensure hearing the positive and negative qualities of that city.
Another way to prepare for a move is to spend time in the new city before accepting the job. Go to a coffee shop or a local health club to get a feel for everyday life.
Once in a new location, people who move often find that at first they have a lot of free time. That opens up an opportunity to plunge into a new job, get involved in industry associations and build up your skills.
“Maybe there are classes to take at a local school or new skills you can develop on the job,” says Goodwin. “It’s about using the move as a vehicle to get to your next objective.”
Still, experts advise preparing yourself for the possibility that the new town and the new job don’t work out.
“There are things you can do, like wait six months before you sell your house. And you can ask for a contract,” says Goodwin. “You have to be prepared.”