Moving On Up?

By Bob Weinstein

A job relocation is still a risky proposition, even under the best conditions. What with more companies expanding and opening offices throughout the world, turning down a job relocation could wind up to be a major career determinant.

Practically every day, there's another corporate takeover. Global merger activity topped $3.5 trillion in 2006, breaking the all-time record set in 2000, when close to $3.38 trillion in deals was consummated. The big numbers translate to a dramatic increase in corporate relocations.

According to a survey conducted by Atlas Surveys in 2006, companies expect relocation volumes and budgets to increase over the next few years. Corporate growth was cited as the top reason affecting relocations, followed by promotions, resignations and knowledge/skills transfers.

As the pace of globalization increases, more and more corporations are moving their workers around the world so that their skills can be put to good use. What do you say if your boss calls you into his or her office and asks if you you'd like to take a bigger job, which means more power, money, perks and responsibility? The only rub is the job is in another state--or country.

Such questions are asked every day, and careers ride on how they're answered. A decade ago, if you turned down a move, it was the end of your career at that company. Today, it translates to a missed opportunity.

But many career-builders say relocation can be a double-edged sword, stressing the importance of knowing what you're getting into from the onset. It's a big decision when you're single; it's tougher one if you're married. It's not uncommon for corporate managers to be relocated several times, often spending three or four years at a single location. That can be tough on a married couple, harder still on children.

Relocation veterans say that each move is a complicated logistical maneuver involving severing ties in one location and creating new ones in another. For non-working spouses, for example, the bulk of a move's grunt work falls on his or her shoulders. Typically, the worker to the new location to start work, then the spouse follows several months later after tying up all the business in the old location (selling home, closing accounts, supervising the move, etc.).

While most experts endorse relocation, they caution against moving solely for bigger paychecks. A relocation often involves a big cultural adjustment. Living in Oswego, New York, is far different than living in Los Angeles or Houston.

If you're considering a relocation, the first thing you ought to do is check your company's relocation policy. Most large and midsize companies have them. The rule is the more you earn, the bigger your relocation allotment.

The more research you do about a prospective location, the better. Leave no stone unturned. Investigate quality-of-life issues in the new location. Is it safe? How long is your daily commute? Find out about the new location's cost and standard of living. If it's a very expensive city, you might discover it's not worth the move when evaluating your disposable income after deducting rent and living expenses.

Before agreeing to a relocation assignment, spend a week in the new location to see if you like it. Investigate it from stem to stern, even spending several hours in a local mall to get a sense of what the people are like.

If you're part of a dual-career family, the relocation has to work for both partners. One partner may have to put his or her career on hold for the sake of the spouse's career. That's a difficult decision.

Relocation experts advise involving the entire family in the relocation process. This is especially important if you have teenage children. Relocations can be hard on all family members, but they're toughest on teens that have to sever friendships and social connections. Forging new social bonds in an alien city can be difficult in the beginning. You can ease transition anxiety for your children by getting advice and information from school and church/synagogue leaders at the new location.

The secret to a successful relocation is advance planning. Most people don't allow themselves enough time to adapt to a new situation. Adjusting to a new town or city is not easy at first. But rather than being apprehensive about the change, embrace it. Every move is an opportunity to experience life and make new connections.

This Article Reprinted Courtesy of http://www.gantthead.com