Communications of the ACM
The Next Best Career Move: Actually Moving
Credit: adlads.wordpress.com
A small but growing group of job seekers in the United States are relocating to areas of the country with stronger job markets or more desirable living, even without the security of a job waiting for them. Driving the self-imposed moves are personal desire and cuts in company relocation programs that have forced hiring managers to look locally for candidates. Thus far, the trend has primarily included senior-level job seekers who have a financial cushion to weather the costs of the move and more junior-level job seekers, who have fewer fixed expenses and can move easily. Both categories of job hunters are taking concrete steps to appear to, or to actually become part of a local community as part of a long-term investment in their future careers.
People looking to reposition for the next phase of their career are choosing locations with a robust and diversified economy. Some who can't afford to make the move are giving the illusion of being local by renting a mailbox, getting a local mobile phone number, and staying with friends and family nearby to attend networking and industry events. Now that companies are loath to pay hefty relocation costs for out-of-state candidates, being local can be the difference between getting an interview and being passed over. Approximately 58 percent of companies have reduced their corporate relocation programs, 27 percent have frozen such programs, and another 17 percent have eliminated them entirely. The bottom line is that companies want to pay less to acquire new talent.
From The Wall Street Journal
View Full Article
No entries found