We have a tendency to over complicate major life decisions. Relocating, despite the excitement, is no exception. It’s natural to feel a mixture of emotions when contemplating such a significant change, it’s also normal to seek out advice on what you should do… “Do I Accept the Job and leave behind everything, or stay in my crappy hometown and accept this to be my life forever”
Despite the request for advice or guidance on making a decision. You already know the answer to your questions, your mind is made up, you just don’t know it yet.
So, today as you hem and haw between should I stay or should I go (now…), your fearless leader will be guiding you through the process of making a decision. By the end of this article, it will be clear what you need to do.
What Were The Reasons For Applying To An Out Of State Job
You didn’t accidently apply to a role that would require you to move. So what are the main drivers of why you applied? Get your list ready, you’ll need it for later.
Here are some of the common motivations for seeking a job outside of your hometown.
- Career Advancement: Often, the primary reason for considering an out-of-state job is the potential for career growth. This new position might offer a better title, higher salary (this is the number one reported factor in accepting a job-related move) or more responsibilities.
- Skill Development: Moving to a new job can mean working on different projects, learning new technologies, or tackling new challenges. This kind of professional development is invaluable and can make you more marketable in the future.
- Personal Change: Sometimes, a fresh start in a new place is appealing. Maybe you’re looking for a new adventure, a chance to explore a different part of the country, or simply a change of scenery. A new environment can provide a much-needed break from your routine and a chance to reinvent yourself.
Thinking about why you applied for the job initially, allows you to assess whether the move aligns with your long-term goals.
Do You Like the City?
One of the most critical aspects of relocating for a job is whether you actually like the city you’re moving to. Unlike being born into your hometown, you have a choice about where you move next. It’s essential to consider if the new location aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.
Start by researching the city’s culture, climate, cost of living, and recreational opportunities. Visit the city if possible, and spend some time exploring different neighborhoods, talking to locals, and getting a feel for the place.
Ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy the climate? If you hate cold winters, moving to a city with harsh winters might not be ideal.
- Does the cost of living align with your salary? A higher salary might not go as far in a city with a high cost of living.
- Are there activities and amenities that you enjoy? If you love the outdoors, consider whether the city has parks, hiking trails, or other outdoor activities.
Ultimately, if you don’t see yourself happy in the new city, it’s worth reconsidering the move. Your happiness and well-being are just as important as career advancement.
The Career Development Benefits
The obvious reasons to accept a new job that requires relocation is the career growth potential. For all 3 of my job-related moves, it boiled down to job responsibilities and how it would position me for the next level in my career.
- Salary Increases: Many companies offer higher salaries to attract out-of-state candidates. This can provide a significant boost to your income and improve your financial situation.
- Growth in Responsibilities: A new position often comes with increased responsibilities. This can be a chance to prove yourself in a more challenging role, which can lead to further promotions and career advancement.
- Strategic Positioning: Being in a strategic location, such as a company’s headquarters or a major industry hub, can open up additional opportunities for growth. It can place you at the heart of important projects and decisions, enhancing your visibility and influence within the company.
- Enhanced Skills and Experience: Working in a new environment with different challenges can broaden your skill set and experience. This can make you a more versatile and valuable employee in the long run.
- Networking Opportunities: Relocating can expand your professional network. Building relationships with new colleagues and industry professionals can lead to new opportunities and collaborations in the future.
These long term professional growth benefits allow you to pad your resume and learn some skills that you may not have the opportunity to learn if you stayed. Remember, you can’t make decisions based on future or potential opportunities, but you can make them based on what is in front of you today.
The Personal Development Benefits
No one seems to address the biggest personal development benefit, the chance to leave behind everything you dislike about who you are today, and reinvent yourself in the new city.
For those who are leaving their hometown for the first time, their growth opportunities are even greater. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to solve life problems independently.
- Independence and Self-Reliance: Moving to a new place requires you to rely on yourself more than ever before. This independence can build confidence and self-reliance, which are valuable traits both personally and professionally.
- Adaptability: Living in a new environment requires you to adapt to new routines, cultures, and ways of life. This adaptability can enhance your problem-solving skills and make you more resilient in the face of challenges.
- Cultural Exposure: Moving to a new city often means encountering different cultures and perspectives. This exposure can broaden your worldview and help you develop a more inclusive and empathetic mindset.
- Personal Growth: The challenges of relocating—finding a new place to live, making new friends, adjusting to a new job—can accelerate your personal growth. Each challenge you overcome makes you stronger and more capable.
- Life Experiences: Relocating offers new experiences and adventures. Exploring a new city, meeting new people, and trying new activities can enrich your life and create lasting memories.
These factors in personal growth can help you round out as an individual and teach you how to build a fulfilling life.
Relocating with a Spouse / Significant Other
Relocating for a job is not just a solo endeavor—it can significantly impact your spouse or significant other. The excitement and stress of a new job in a new city are amplified when considering the emotions and needs of your partner.
For the partner who is moving in support, the transition can be particularly challenging. They might be leaving behind their job, friends, and support network without the same immediate benefits that the new job provides to you. This can lead to feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and frustration.
It’s crucial to approach this move as a team:
- Open Communication: Discuss the decision openly and honestly. Share your hopes and concerns, and listen to your partner’s feelings as well.
- Support Each Other: Recognize that both of you will face challenges. Offer support and understanding as you navigate this transition together.
- Explore Together: Make an effort to explore the new city together. Find activities and places that you both enjoy to make the new location feel like home.
- Career Considerations: If your partner is leaving a job, discuss their career aspirations and how the move might impact them. Look into job opportunities or professional networks in the new city that could benefit them.
- Build a Support Network: Encourage your partner to join clubs, attend social events, or participate in activities where they can meet new people and build a support network.
By working together, you can overcome the emotions and challenges of relocating. It won’t be easy and both partners will need to try if you want to succeed.
Paralysis by Analysis: It’s a Yes or a No
Deciding whether to relocate for a job can lead to paralysis by analysis. To simplify the decision-making process, create a pros and cons list to evaluate both the career and personal development aspects, as well as the emotional implications.
Pros and Cons List
Career Development Pros:
- Higher salary
- Increased responsibilities
- Strategic company location
- Enhanced skills and experience
- Networking opportunities
Career Development Cons:
- Uncertainty of the new job environment
- Potential for high pressure or workload
- Longer commute (if applicable)
- Adjusting to new company culture
Personal Development Pros:
- Greater independence
- Improved adaptability
- Exposure to new cultures
- Accelerated personal growth
- New life experiences
Personal Development Cons:
- Leaving behind family and friends
- Potential loneliness or isolation
- Adjusting to a new city
- Financial costs of moving
Emotional Implications Pros:
- Excitement of a fresh start
- Sense of adventure
- Opportunity to reinvent yourself
Emotional Implications Cons:
- Anxiety about the unknown
- Stress of the moving process
- Impact on your spouse or significant other
By filling out this list with your specific circumstances, you can better visualize the potential benefits and drawbacks of relocating for work.
Time to Move Forward
After considering all the factors—your reasons for applying, the appeal of the new city, career and personal development benefits, the impact on your significant other, and weighing the pros and cons—it’s time to make your decision.
Remember, there is no perfect choice, only the best choice for you at this moment. Trust in your ability to adapt and thrive, and have confidence that whatever decision you make, you are taking a step towards a brighter future.
Ready. Set. Decide!
BK