Maybe you've got your sights set on being the next big disruptor in the tech industry. Maybe you got an offer you just couldn't refuse. Or maybe you're just tired of snow and sub-zero temperatures. According to the
Society of Human Resources Management, Americans relocate most often for career-related reasons. In a survey of those who had moved in the past year for a career, 48% saw an opportunity for skill-building and 43% did it for increased compensation. Millennials are most likely to be driven to a new location by long-term career prospects. Whatever the reason, anyone who has packed up all of their possessions and moved to a new city to pursue a new career opportunity knows how scary it is. What if the job isn't what you'd expected, or you just don't fit with the office culture? And then there's being alone in an unfamiliar city, faced with the daunting prospect of making new friends and establishing a new professional network. If things don't work out, it's an expensive mistake. It's essential to do your research and make sure you know what you're getting into before the move. We recently asked the members of the
ALM Young Professionals network to share their best tips* for moving to a new city and getting established.
Check them out in the slideshow above. Whether you're actively considering a location change and hesitant to make the leap, still struggling to find their footing in a new city, or maybe just want to keep this bookmarked for a day down the road, we hope you find some inspiration in these tips from your peers. (Or maybe you're on the other end: You're a hiring manager trying to convince your perfect candidate to make the move. Just send them this list!)
*Responses have been edited for grammar and length. This piece first appeared on sister site BenefitsPro.com. Related:
Have a great tip that we missed? Share it with the ALM Young Professionals Network on LinkedIn. We're having powerful conversations that tackle the challenges we all face early in our careers. Request to join here.