Job Seeker Blog - Spark Hire

How to Handle Taking a Job Out of State

You’ve searched and searched for a job in your area, but nothing seems to fit. You have a job you hate and find another that’s perfect, except it’s out of state. You’ve been working at your dream job and they’ve decided to relocate and take you along with them. These are some scenarios in which you find yourself having to relocate for a job. There are pros and cons, the main pro being a better paycheck. One of the main cons being that you have to start over in terms of finding a new place to live, and if you have a family you need to find new schools for your children to attend to and your spouse has to look for a new job as well.

Relocating for a job is a massive undertaking, but look at it as a whole new experience. If you’re relocating with the organization you’re already in, then you don’t have to worry about entering a new job with new coworkers and starting over to get in sync with your new work environment. Your work environment will be familiar and will probably feel more like home than your actual new home in the beginning. If you’re relocating for a new job, think of it as a new chapter in your life, a new beginning and experience. Embrace the chance you are about to experience with an open mind and the transition will be a lot easier. Of course, you will feel homesick- you’ll be leaving your friends and family behind- but once you’re settled into your new place, you’ll make new friends and with the current technology old friends and family are only a text message, email or video chat away.

There are some preparations you need to take in order to make the transition easier. Before you even take the new job, evaluate the living expenses in the new city you’ll be living in. First and foremost, do you love your job enough to relocate? Consider whether this job is going to be a good fit for your long-term career goals, because if you aren’t feeling it is right then it’s time to jump ship. Secondly, will this new city be more expensive to live in than the one you live in currently? If so, then you must ensure that your pay will be able to support you. Check out the culture of the town or city you’ll be living in. Familiarize yourself with it and if you know someone who has been to that city, ask them about it. The more you familiarize yourself, the less intimidating it will be.

If you have a family, look for good schools in the area that your children can attend. Make sure your family is comfortable with the big change, and tell them it’s going to be new and exciting. They’re going to miss their friends as well, so be comforting during this time. Help your spouse look for a job there, or see if their job has locations near the area. Taking all of these precautions will make sure that your big move won’t be a big burden. Once you’re moved in and settled, a big weight will be lifted from your shoulders and after a few weeks your kids will make new friends. Your spouse will find a job and you’ll be making bank at your new or existing job.

SOURCE: Street Directory
IMAGE: Courtesy of Careeralism

Hanna Guerrero

Hannah is an intern writer here at Spark Hire. She is from the northern suburbs in Chicago and is currently studying journalism at DePaul University. She has always had a passion for writing which is why Journalism has proven to be the perfect career for her. She has written for the DePaulia Online on various topics such as fashion, music, movies and television. She loves living in Chicago because it offers exciting events to write stories on. In her free time she enjoys going to music concerts, watching movies with friends, cooking vegetarian food and walking her adorable Cocker Spaniel Coco.