How to Relocate for a Job After Graduation

With college life now behind you, it’s time to enter the “real world”. For many people, especially those who have taken advantage of our career and professional development center’s website, this means entering the workforce in your first post-graduate job. Some people will choose to live closer to home, while others will remain close to where they went to college. For others, they will embark on an adventure and decide to relocate to a new place for their work. Whether you’ve decided that relocation is best for you or it is required by your new employer, this is a huge personal step to take. Here are some tips on how to make the relocation process easier for you.

Be Virtually Prepared

Due to the current state of the world and the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, you must be prepared to go through many steps of the hiring process virtually. You likely already had to prepare for an online interview, and now you shouldn’t be surprised if you have to onboard and begin your tenure with the company remotely before being able to work in-office.

Many companies are beginning to develop plans for a return to in-person work. While those plans are being developed, you need to be prepared to work from home until a timeline is released. If you are relocating for the job, this means you likely have some extra time before actually moving. However, you should know whether or not you’ll be required to be in-office within a certain time frame after an announcement is made.

During this interim period, you can look for the perfect place to live and utilize this time to get acquainted with the new place you’re calling home. If you are taking time to find a proper living situation and are moving back with family during your search, be sure to let your employer know of your plans and current location. Make sure your utilities are set up ahead of time and that you have a reliable WiFi connection to be able to complete the necessary training and work assignments.

Locate Housing Before Relocating

Before you do move to the new city or town you’ll be working in, you should locate and secure housing. While it can be difficult to look at housing when you’re not physically in that location, there are resources available to assist while searching for housing from a distance.

Whether you’re looking for an apartment or a house, you need to first make sure that it’s affordable to you. When apartment hunting, narrow down your search to only units in your monthly price range and consider your list of deal-breakers, as apartment amenities tend to vary. If looking to buy a house, things may become a little more complicated and require a more formalized planning process. You first need to understand your financial standing in relation to your new job salary, as well as other relevant information like your credit score versus what score is required for buying a house. From there, you can get pre-approved for a mortgage loan and begin your search.

No matter which type of property you’re looking for, you should contact someone to give you a virtual tour of the property before committing. Sometimes the images posted online can be old, inaccurate, or not show the complete picture. Request that the landlord, current occupant, or REALTOR®️ call you on Zoom or FaceTime so you can see the space and any potential issues in real-time.

Understand Any Employer Relocation Programs

Having to relocate for your employer is an involved process and a huge undertaking. That is why some employers will offer their employees a relocation package for their troubles. Be sure to ask, either when interviewing or onboarding, if the company offers such a package and what it includes.

More often than not, relocation packages will include some sort of reimbursement. Since moving is expensive, especially when it’s across a great distance and under short notice, many companies are willing to reimburse at least a portion of the costs. Definitely make sure you’re aware of how much your employer is willing to reimburse so you can begin to book the appropriate services.

Sometimes, a company will go the extra mile and also offer you temporary housing. Finding the right place for you can take time, so having this option available will give you just that. If your employer does offer temporary housing, they will often all be in the same location, giving you a unique opportunity to connect with other new employees in a more casual setting.

Prepare for a Large Scale Move

Moving is often a draining experience, both physically and emotionally. It becomes even more daunting with so much changing so quickly. Change can be hard for many people, and you’re going through a lot of it. First with graduating college, now transitioning to the working world and leaving behind what’s familiar for a new experience. It’s all exciting yet scary at the same time, and it can definitely take its toll on you.

To help combat the stress, follow some moving tips to help save your sanity. This includes getting multiple prices from different moving companies and making sure to not move everything you own just because. These, and other tips, can help save you stress, time, and money as the date for the big move approaches.

Be sure that you’re using a company that is reputable and that you are retaining all quotes and receipts. If you are depending on any employer reimbursement, you’ll need to have all of that information on hand. You should also catalog all of the items you’re moving and the condition they’re in pre-move. Having this evidence documented and accessible will save you some small bit of stress throughout this process.

This is an exciting time in your life. It can also be overwhelming and scary, just like it was when you started college. But remember, you made it through college and thrived. You can do it here, too. This is the start of a new chapter for you, and having that beginning in a new location offers limitless possibilities. Embrace your new job, new location, and this new opportunity in your journey.

By Brijin Kastberg
Brijin Kastberg Marketing and Employer Relations Coordinator