Is Moving the Right Step for Your Career?

We have moving on our brains here at Willory. Hopefully, you’ve heard by now that we’ve expanded our personnel and services in Columbus. With that in mind, I wanted to take the time to consider what people should consider when packing up their life and moving for a new job.  

Schedule 

Everyone has different goals and priorities. Some people want more flexibility so they can work toward a work-life balance that fits their lifestyle, others want to travel, and others might want a position where they can utilize their hard-gained expertise in an effective manner.  

When thinking about moving, look at your schedule. How does it align with your personal life and how will that change when you move? Everyone has activities outside of work and it’s of vital importance to have a job that respects what you do outside their hours.  

But also think about the reverse: are you not working enough? If you’re not working enough hours, then it might be worth considering if the job is the right fit for you. Consider if your job is doing its part in sustaining your lifestyle from a financial sense (more about this in a moment). 

Don’t forget to look into the city (or cities) you’re considering. Some locations are known for their early bird lifestyles while others cater better to night owls. Know which one fits you better and find a location that fits. Do your best to speak with actual residents and find out what their schedules are like.  

Income 

Money makes the world go around, that’s no secret. There are three ways to review your income: sustaining your life, appropriate to your job duties, and are you passionate about your job?  

Is your income enough to sustain your life? When you’re looking to move, it’s imperative that you take into account what the cost of living is in that location. For those of us in Cleveland, we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, if you’re looking into other cities, even in the state or a city that is seemingly the same size, it’s unlikely all costs will match up. Many states have state income tax, while there are a few – here’s the list – that have no personal income tax. Don’t forget that not only should you consider if you can afford to live in the new city, but can you afford to live AND save?  

If you are working a difficult job and getting paid the wage of a less intense position, it might be time to consider searching for an opportunity with a more appropriate wage. This holds true especially when there are no upcoming opportunities for a pay raise.  

Are you doing what you want to be doing every day? You could have a job that pays you very well with a great schedule, but if you are unhappy with the job you are doing then this may not be the job for you. On average we spend more time working than our personal lives so it is important to get some fulfillment by at least liking the work you do. 

Growth 

If you feel stuck in your current role – whether that’s from lack of opportunities for advancement or just pure boredom – it’s time to make a change. If you have worked your way up to the highest level and there are no other roles for you to grow into, consider looking outside of the company for new growth opportunities. Feeling bored can sometimes be remedied if you are able to take on additional responsibilities or move into a role that is better aligned it could benefit you to look for a role that will keep you engaged. 

When debating a move, make sure you take into consideration what growth looks in the new city and/or new role. Moving to a new city might be the only way to advance in your career, especially if you’re in a niche field, however what if moving takes you away from the growth opportunities? When counseling candidates, we like them to consider the long-term impacts of the salary. A lower salary with higher potential earnings could be better for your future than a higher income now and no room for a raise.  

Lastly, take the time to think about the health of the new city or company. While company lay-offs might not mean utter ruin for a company, it might mean the organization isn’t sustainable. When moving for a job, it becomes even more important that you take the time to investigate the organization’s future and financial health.  

While there are many more considerations when moving, make sure you do your due diligence by understanding your schedule, income, and growth potential. If you’re interested in pursuing a role in HR or payroll in the Columbus-region, we’re here to help!