The marketing job of your dreams has been delivered to your front door.
It’s at a great organization alongside people you know you’d love to work with. It’s in a field you relish, and a huge jump forward for your career. The pay is good, the terms are agreeable, there’s plenty of potential for mobility in the company.
But it’s a thousand miles away. Do you accept the offer?
Chasing Your Dream
We see our candidates encounter the relocation dilemma on a weekly basis, and it’s one that you’ll probably face at some point if your goal is to eventually make it to the top echelon of marketing jobs.
…relocation is also a gateway, a portal to exciting new opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible.
Even extremely career-oriented individuals often balk at the idea. Many people won’t hesitate to move out of their comfort zone to the new responsibilities of a different job, but get intimidated by the idea of relocation.
Understandably so. In many cases we’re asking marketers with established careers and reputations in cities they like to leave everyone they know behind, move to a strange location and, in many ways, start their lives over.
And that’s without considering the strain of uprooting a family, shifting a home lifestyle, moving possessions, and so on.
But relocation is also a gateway, a portal to exciting new opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible. It’s a fast-lane to higher positions, better compensation, and more responsibility. And for many ambitious marketers, it’s the best way to get the job of their dreams.
Not The Nightmare You Think it Is
As scary as it may seem, most people find relocation to go more smoothly than they imagine. Increased ease of moving and better job opportunities contributed to one in seven management and executive positions being filled by relocations last year.
Whatever the lifestyle you’re used to, you can find it in almost every city in the country if you look in the right places. House hunting and moving is stressful, but is usually done quickly and forgotten. Families adapt to new environments better than most people give them credit for. And most organizations are willing to cover or supplement costs of relocation if it means bringing in the right person for a critical position.
There are even some big benefits. Exploring a new city is fun. New experiences and people make you think outside the box and allow you to grow in a way you never would staying by in your bubble. And perhaps most importantly, you get a fresh start to become who you really want to be.
Have a Decision in Mind Beforehand
In this industry, great opportunities don’t last long. If a tremendous potential career move comes your way, you won’t be able to afford days and days of consideration and hand-wringing. The company or marketing recruiter will lose interest, or someone else will come along and snatch it out from under you.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to start thinking about this now. If it’s not something you’re interested in, you need to know so you don’t waste anyone’s time. But if relocation is something you would consider, understanding that willingness is essential. When the right opportunity comes along, knowing where you stand on relocation prevents relocation from distracting you from other issues like nailing the interview or reaching favorable negotiation terms.
Would you move across the state for the right job? What about the country? The world?
For many, the answer will simply be, “No.” And that’s okay. Everyone prioritizes their home, lifestyle, career, and innumerable other factors in different ways, and sometimes that means that relocation isn’t a likely choice, at least in their near future.The circumstances that constitute a relocation consideration are incredibly personal, and there’s no perfect checklist or guide than can make the decision for you.
But for people who aspire to reach the highest levels of marketing and business, who crave that prestige and responsibility or have their eyes on those higher salaries, relocation should at least be a viable option.
Weighing Your Options
If your career ambition leads you to decide that relocation is an option, you need to spend some time thinking about what, exactly, constitutes the “right offer.” Is it a certain level of title and compensation? A certain kind of industry or location?
The circumstances that constitute a relocation consideration are incredibly personal, and there’s no perfect checklist or guide than can make the decision for you. It’s also something that will shift over time along with your career situation and priorities.
It’s also important to do as much research as possible on opportunities that come your way. Look into the quality of the employer; are they someone you’re confident you’ll be really happy with? Do their corporate values match your own? Most importantly, does it offer what you need to continue growing your career?
Do the same for the job’s location. Compare the city’s cost-of-living to your own; you may see a big bump in effective salary by moving somewhere more affordable, and vice-versa. Look into the quality of life of its citizens, the quality of its schools and public service, its cultural and lifestyle offerings.
Weigh the advantages and disadvantages with an open mind. Broach the subject with your spouse, your family, and your friends periodically so you know you’re all on the same page and no one is taken by surprise by how you act should an opportunity arise.
Few people rise to the top in marketing without taking a few risks, and relocation is frequently one of them. But with proper planning and education it can be a calculated risk that pays off big for your career.