This week started off with a post on how bosses can entice potential hires to move, so it's only fitting that it draws to a close with another post on the other side of the coin: how to tell if moving for a job is worthwhile.
Obviously, this is not something a single article can decide for you, but doing your research and your homework helps.
You can start by reading the Harvard Review's recent post on this very topic, which points out there's an uptick in reluctance for people to uproot themselves for a new job: "There are still more than 12 million unemployed job seekers… [and] some positions [that] stay open for months."
Citing recent research from both CareerBuilder and CareerRelocate.com, the piece points out that "44 percent of workers surveyed said they would be willing to relocated for a career opportunity."
Actually, if you've never tinkered around with CareerRelocated.com, before, you should: It visually shows which states have the highest demands for certain skills. For example, if you're an accountant, it makes more sense for you to stay put in Illinois, but there's also a huge demand for them in Connecticut (254 open jobs right now), Virginia (407) or Maryland (286).
Conventional wisdom suggests that if you're at the beginning of your career, like a college kid, or a highly skilled worker, then you're best positioned to relocate and be treated well in the transition -- meaning expenses will be footed by the hirer. But still, that's rare, even in an economy that is supposedly turning itself around.
And, again, not every profession necessitates a move. From the HBD:
"There are several professions that are more conducive to remote work, like sales, freelance journalism or customer service. An out-of-state employer may not even need its new hire to relocate. With improving network technology, telecommuting will continue to be a more popular staffing solution, reducing the workforce's need to be geographically mobile."
Read more over at the Harvard Business Review.
David Wolinsky is a freelance writer and a lifelong Chicagoan. In addition to currently serving as an interviewer-writer for Adult Swim, he's also a columnist for EGM. He was the Chicago city editor for The Onion A.V. Club where he provided in-depth daily coverage of this city's bustling arts/entertainment scene for half a decade. When not playing video games for work he's thinking of dashing out to Chicago Diner, Pizano's, or Yummy Yummy. His first career aspirations were to be a game-show host.
