6 Questions to Ask Before You Take Up a Job Offer in a New Location

 The prevailing scarcity of jobs in the country makes fresh graduates and even experienced job seekers jump at the idea of taking up any job offer in a new city different from their current domicile. Often times the logic is that one never knows when another offer for a job will come.

While it is a good thing to land a job in another city different from where you live you have also to consider several things so as to not end up taking a job that doesn’t end up looking good for you. When you take up such jobs in new locations without considering and planning for the contingencies you might end up having a job with several attendant challenges and distractions.

An informal survey of most working class adults who change location or move to a new city will show that majority of such movements and relocation come as a result of a new job or transfer at an existing job. Deciding to relocate because of a new job is almost always a personal decision for the candidate with maybe some input by family and friends. The adaptability to move depends on several factors which include the candidate’s age and stage in life. You would find that younger, non-married persons would find it easier to change cities for a new job than older, married people who may have to first consider their families before taking up an offer to move.

Here are questions experts believe you should ask before taking up a job in a new and different location. These questions are pointed at yourself and your prospective employer mostly.

Is there Assistance and or Compensation for Relocation?
Many companies and organisations when advertising for a position in a particular location indicate that only candidates who already live within or close to that location will be considered. They do this because they are not willing or able to finance a candidate’s relocation to the city where they need the job.
Sometimes however a company advertises a position and does not state its intentions on whether or not it will assist a suitable candidate to relocate. Don’t make the mistake of assuming they will help with your move, ask and be clear on whether they will or will not assist you with relocation.
If the company isn’t willing to help you with relocation costs including housing, transportation etc you would have to consider if the offer and pay is good enough for you to risk relocation. Also be sure you can cope with the challenges and cost of relocation without assistance. Only move when the above issues are clearly settled

Do You Feel Apprehensive?
It is normal to feel unsure and afraid of what the future portends when taking a bold decision such as relocating for a new job. Things might or might not turn out well and you could regret moving. Check how you feel about the prospects for the new job. You should relocate because you want to and not because you should.

Will You Adapt to The New Location?
There have been instances of footballers and other professionals making a move to a new club in a different city and failing to cope in the new city. Learning what you can about the prospective new location will help you make a better decision. You will have to consider the weather, the culture of the people, cost of living etc before deciding to move. Each important factor not well considered can later cause you to regret your move. For instance you may be in a smaller town and get a job offer to move to Abuja. While the new job may come with a better pay package you may find that you spend actually so much on transportation, housing and feeding that what you take home is eventually smaller than before. Considering the new location and comparing with the old is an important part of the analysis you need to do. Get around the new city for a few days after your interview and try to get a hang of the place. If you have a family, there are questions to consider such as; Will your kids adapt to the new town? Are there good schools around for them to go to?


What Do You Know About The New Organisation?
You don’t just move because you are probably going to get paid a better salary at the new job; you have to consider the culture of the organisation you are intending to work with. Can you fit and actually enjoy your work there. Don’t underestimate the importance of job satisfaction. Try and talk to workers at the organisation, research and find out what you can about them (though there is very little information online about most Nigerian companies and organisations). Your best bet is to make a few friends after the interview (including the security guards and gatemen) and try to get from them, without raising much suspicion, what they think about the organisation and its work culture.

Who and What Are You Leaving Behind?
If you are single and independent it sure will be easier to pack and leave your present location for another but if you have a family and some persons dependent on you it becomes more difficult to make the switch without first considering how things would change going forward. You will have to take decisions on issues like; will you move alone?, who and who will you leave behind? etc. If your spouse has a job it becomes tricky as she wouldn’t leave her job to go with you unless there is equally one waiting for her there.

What is Your Exit Strategy
If things do not work out as planned after moving for the new job what do you do? Having an exit plan helps make it easier to take the decision. Then you can be confident of what to do if things get too tough for you at the new job and location. 

Really interseting piece. 
Culled from Ngcareersblog