Considerations when Relocating for a Job

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that's true for employment numbers, too.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state added 262,000 jobs over a two year period, from June 2009 to June 2011.  And it's not just the Lone Star State that has greener-grass stats: North Dakota enjoys a tiny 3.2% unemployment rate while Nebraska sits pretty at 4.1%.

Compare that to New York's unemployment rate at 8.0% and California at 11.8%, and any struggling job seeker might pack up their belongings and head to North Dakota, Texas or anywhere else but where they currently live.

Not so fast.  Drop the bags.  Step away from your luggage and hold off on buying that one-way ticket.  Take a deep breath and consider the following:

What industries are hiring in those states?  If you are an investment banker or a marketing professional, is a move to the Midwest really in your best interests? We say this in every blog, but it's true: research is vital. A serious job seeker needs to conduct in-depth research, not just on the companies they would like to work for, but on the number of those relevant companies in the states they would like to work in. If states with low unemployment have no applicable work to offer you, you just end up far from home and still unemployed.

Consider the costs of uprooting your life.  Renting a U-Haul for a trip to Nebraska is not exactly cheap--and in this economy, don't expect a company you find to pick up the tab. More to consider: the average housing, food and child care costs. If it's more than what you pay at home, a slightly better paying job may not be worth it in the long run. Don't forget the emotional costs of a move, too-it requires you to adapt to a whole new culture.  Can you handle a whole new lifestyle?

Tip: Whether you're a single mother with two kids or a married couple with three kids, The Economic Policy Institute has a calculator that can help you get a better idea of how much it costs to survive in a new place.  http://www.epi.org/content/budget_calculator/.

What does your family think?  If you're married, it's not just your employment at stake, but your spouse's. If your significant other is gainfully employed-and even if he or she isn't-you'll need a location where both of you can thrive. And since moving means leaving friends, contacts, and extended family members behind, you'll need to weigh the emotional costs of that for both of you. Will a move affect your spouse's happiness? Will it cause a problem in the marriage? What about taking your kids from their schools and friends? For families, relocation is not an easy decision. It is important to have an in-depth discussion on the matter before deciding on a drastic change that can have both personal and professional ramifications for everyone.

Are there growth opportunities?  You may have found a job now, but what are your prospects for a promotion? If the opportunity will likely not fit as well in a year, you might need to plan for yet another move on the horizon. Jobs are important, but stability is, too, and a job seeker must always think two steps ahead when making tough decisions on their future employment.

What else is in North Dakota...or anywhere else for that matter?  Best case scenario: you find the job you want in a new location. Great!  But don't let the low unemployment numbers fool you--you can lose your job in New Hampshire as easily as you can in New York or anywhere else. If the worst happens, are there other options? If not, you'll be back where you started: unemployed. The difference is, you'll be in a strange new world without a network, prospects, or the money you might need to move back. Are you ready to face unemployment alone?  If not, you might just want to stay right where you are.  The job search is a little less stressful with loved ones around you.

Read additional career insights from John Minners on  Vault.com.

Vault.com is the source of employer and education ratings, rankings and insight for highly credentialed, in-demand candidates. Vault's editorial mission is to empower candidates with unbiased research needed to evaluate the professions, industries and companies they aspire to join.  

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