When a handful of sales and marketing professionals get together in one room, they’ll all surely be able to relate to the inevitable challenges that come with the role.
While there are some day-to-day hurdles they’ll all have in common like periodic lulls in generating leads, dealing with difficult prospects, and failing to close the occasional deal, there are some unique obstacles that not every sales and marketing professional can say they’ve faced — one of those obstacles being relocating to a new city for your career.
With the rise of remote work, the urge to be closer to family and friends, and the growing necessity to be both financially prepared and stable, the number of people planning to relocate in 2021 has increased by 20%.
Knowing this, chances are high that you’re planning to relocate, or simply realizing that relocation could be a wise career move. Before you take any concrete steps, familiarize yourself with the relocation process with this comprehensive guide for sales/marketing leaders.
DECIDING THE RIGHT TIME TO RELOCATE FOR A NEW JOB
Consider first and foremost the position and company you’re applying for in a new city. Before you secure your interview, research the role and the organization to see if they meet your expectations with regards to salary, benefits, flexibility, and more. Speak with previous employees and consult reviews on job sites to understand what you want in a career and what you’ll be getting yourself into.
Once you decide a job is the right fit, then take a hard look at salary — not only for your position but even the average incomes for salespeople or marketing leaders in the area.
If you’re relocating for a job to a new city for a promotion or an increase in pay, take into consideration the cost of living in your new city, and how much more money you’ll actually have than you did in your previous situation. A cost of living calculator can give you a solid understanding of the money you’ll bring in each day.
Comprehending the cost of living in your new city also comes with understanding the local real estate market, assuming you’ll be buying a home and staying for the long term.
Did you know that interest rates are at historic lows? So low that 2021 may be a suitable time for you to start searching for a new home and relocate to a more affordable city with a higher sales/marketing income. As you begin the home buying process, check out new home listings in the area to see which neighborhoods meet your needs in terms of finances and lifestyle.
Finally, be sure to estimate the cost of your big move. How much money will you need? How much have you saved thus far?
Depending on how far you’re migrating, a long-distance move can average up to $4,300. When you factor in buying a new home, transportation, moving, and travel costs, you’ll be much more comfortable having built a healthy nest egg before moving.
However, in some cases, your new company may actually be able to offer financial assistance for your transition to a new sales/marketing career.
LEARN ABOUT RELOCATION PACKAGES
A company can mitigate some or even all of the expenses associated with moving through a benefit known as a relocation package.
When the job requires a new employee to relocate, the organization can alleviate the financial burden of moving costs, real estate fees for those purchasing a home, transportation expenses, and even offer pay adjustments to account for a lower cost of living.
Other relocation packages might consist of unique characteristics like free visits to the new city in order to truly experience what life is like, tours of your anticipated place of work, and conversations with potential peers and superiors.
Some companies might even offer temporary housing for any new employees who haven’t yet settled into a new home of their own, or offer financial support for family members who are also going through a job transition as a result of their career change.
Employers utilize relocation packages as a competitive advantage — these can entice top sales and marketing professionals to work for their company. But not everybody is on board yet — only 25% of companies offer relocation packages.
Assistance will vary from company to company and may be flexible depending on your situation. The process can get complicated and expensive, which makes it vital for you to familiarize yourself with the true costs of your relocation before accepting any job offers.
NEGOTIATING A RELOCATION PACKAGE
In the case that a company is willing and able to bear some of the costs of relocating for your new job, those valuable sales and marketing skills will come into play.
As a marketing professional, you can and should negotiate the terms and conditions of relocation assistance. With effective communication and firm negotiating, you can obtain generous relief from the stresses of relocating.
List out the necessary details you want to be included in your agreement and be prepared to discuss them with your employer before accepting the position.
Take a look at your future transition — will you need some funding for the cost of the move? Do you have a house or temporary housing in your new location, or will you need resources like a REALTOR®️? Will you need to find childcare?
Write down everything you’ll need help with, and spare no requests on your list. Even if the request is not included in a written policy, some of these things can be negotiated.
Be sure to express the mutual benefits of some of these conditions, also known as collaborative negotiation. When a company hears that you’ll be more efficient with a flexible start date or that you’ll onboard more quickly with home buying assistance, it will be more likely to accommodate them into your agreement, as the mutual benefit is clear to both parties.
When all is said and done, be sure that each and every condition you’ve agreed upon is in written form, so you have a documented agreement to fall back on.
Think of negotiating relocation assistance as closing a deal with a client. When you’re persuasive, communicating effectively, listening to the other party’s needs, and are willing to be flexible, you can find a mutually advantageous compromise. Remember that you are an asset to this company. Know your worth and fight for the conditions you need to make the transition worthwhile.
In the case that your future employer is unwilling to provide these perks, preparation for the big move will look a lot different. While the initial stages of relocating will look the same in terms of research, you may decide that a job relocation is not ideal for you at this point in time.
Perhaps the city is not the right fit for your family or the expenses are too overwhelming without support. Or, perhaps there is another sales/marketing position in the area with a different employer and a written relocation policy. Explore every opportunity that is presented to you and weigh the costs and benefits of each against one another.
Relocating for your career is no easy feat. It will take a lot of deliberation and preparedness. When you understand your expectations, the costs, and the inner workings of a relocation package, you’ll be able to work out an optimal arrangement and skyrocket your career.
