Relocating for Better Career Options – 9 Tips

In the last few decades India has witnessed a lot of transformation in terms of culture and mindset, which are driven by changes in demographics, lifestyle, financial situation, aspiration, etc. Change in Career options has been a trend of this generation. Young as well as middle aged people are exploring opportunities in different sectors across various cities or even careers abroad.

Change in career takes focus and commitment. To be successful, you’ll need to develop short-term, intermediate and long-term goals, and decide on the steps you’ll need to accomplish them. So the limitations posed by distance, time, etc are gradually reducing due to better technology, communications and cultural change. Larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are becoming a melting pot of different cultures, languages, communities, etc. If you want to make a Change in career but think that doing so would take too much time or be too difficult, you may not have been contemplating the right careers.

Jobs in many satisfying, well-paying and growing fields require less preparation than you might think. So its not surprising to see people from Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore working in Pune, Mumbai or Delhi and vice versa. Change in career is important to many because , “For a lot of people, it’s because they’re made redundant. For others, it’s just about having had a dream all their life and thinking, ‘If I don’t do it now, when will I?'” Although I’m not an expert who has travelled across the nation, I’m trying to share a few tips that I know from my own experience or what I learnt from other people, about change in career options.

Why Relocate for a job?

Most people relocate from their home towns or cities to work in other locations. Why do they do so? Some of the reasons below could apply to an individual depending on his/her personal priorities, interests and circumstances.

Better opportunities than in home town
Opportunities not available in home town
Higher Salaries
Better Growth Potential
Additional Educational/Career Avenue
Living Conditions
Others

These lead to migration of people from smaller towns and villages to metros and larger towns. Whether one should relocate or is it worthwhile is another question? You can read about this at Shine.com (Courtesy: Shine.com)

To take a decision on whether its worthwhile or not, think on the following lines:-

Costs involved in relocation
Incremental Career Benefits (Higher Salary, Better Opportunities, etc)
Incremental Personal Benefits (Better education for you/your children, etc.
Relocation benefits provided by company
Your comfort level as well as family’s comfort level
Changes in living conditions, culture, etc.
Impact on kid’s school, college, hobby/sports classes, etc.
Other factors

After weighting the costs and benefits you can take a final call. Remember that there will be some initial costs which can be high or unexpected, for which you need to have buffer money.

Better Change in Career Options & Post Relocation Preparations

1. Early Planning & Research

Do some research on the city, rentals, living conditions, distance from office, transportation facilities, shopping, etc. The most important aspect is ‘relocating’ or ‘moving’ your household things right from your shoe rack to the dressing table. You may also need to plan for disconnecting utilities such as phone (land line), LPG connection, internet service, etc.

For people who have a car or vehicle to be transported a lot of procedures need to be done with the Regional Transport Office in both cities (My personal advise to you is to dispose off these early and get a new one in the new city). Discuss the move and changes with all family members and have them mentally prepared.

In fact they can also do some research and help you with some chores. The family folks also need to be prepared for the new realities and get adjusted to a new school, new neighbors, new surroundings, different people, etc.

2. Option of Moving Along or Integrating Later

There are situations where you probably move alone only, which is true for more youngsters who start off their career. In some cases you move along with other family members. The third option is where you move alone first and live for a few months and later shift other family members.

The third option is suited for people who need more time to handle some procedures or surrender utility services or other pending work. In some cases the third options can be used as a “wait and watch” approach where you are not sure if you want to permanently shift your family folks due to certain reasons like:-

Kid’s education (which is half way in the academic calendar)
Own house or property in home town (which is to be maintained)
Care taking of elder or senior family members
Career or Commitments of other family members
Other Reasons

3. Moving

In India we have several things to move, so its advisable to hire a packer or mover for this purpose. But ensure that they do it more meticulously and instruct them about any safety or precaution that needs to be taken for fragile items. This might seem to be a big cost, but even if you do the packing yourself and pay just for moving, the saving is not so great given the amount of effort, stress, time consumed and anxiety involved.

Also try to plan and dispose off old and unwanted stuff ASAP. Ofcourse you need to pack some of your personal stuff you want to carry with you separately, while the rest will come along with the packer’s truck or lorry. Some important personal documents, cards and valuables should be carried by you personally.

4. Setting up the new house

The focus here is to prioritize important things like cooking gas connection, internet, mobile phone, etc. The flower vases, ceramic pots, portable bar, etc are best avoided or postponed. If you start buying things that are nice, cute and romantic probably you will not have money left for paying for important things like school fees, internet connection, etc.

5. Access to New Facilities

Facilities here refers to education, healthcare, hobbies, recreation, etc. You want to get you kids admitted to a new school/college for which you need to do a lot of leg work. Education is becoming a highly competitive so give it more time and importance as it impacts the kid’s future and well being.

You could also take some leaves or permission (from your office) to attend to these chores. Similarly if you want access to hobby classes for your daughter or a doctor for attending to your father’s knee problem, try to enquire with friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc and you will get numerous options and suggestions.

6. Responsible Budgeting

In the initial stages you may have to incur a lot of upfront expenditure so be selective and prioritize. This is not the time to think about new cars, expensive gadgets, long vacations (baring small trips), etc. Some of these have to be postponed for a couple of months or more because you will have to shell out huge amounts for relocation and initial expenses. You should increase your emergency reserve/savings to meet these expenses and other contingencies.

7. Networking

It goes without saying that you need to have some connect with friends, neighbors, colleagues in the new city, who can guide you. They can also provide some tips on which school is good, where to get groceries, nearest place to service/repair your gadgets, etc.

Even before you reach there you can get information online through google maps, blogs, articles, etc. If you have some friend or contact in the new place it’s a good idea to consult them and also do a courtesy visit or have lunch or dinner together when time permits. In some cases you will need a lot of help with local language, where you can take a friend’s help and also try learning yourself as far as you can.

8.Weather Conditions

This is equally important because if you are going to shift to Delhi in the month of November, December or January you will literally feel frozen due to the harsh cold weather. In fact temperatures in Delhi and National Capital Region have dipped to low single digit or near zero levels. On the other hand if you are shifting to places like Chennai particularly in summer be prepared to tolerate scorching heat. To deal with cold weather you should plan and purchase winter clothes and accessories. For warm or hot weather you may have to have more cotton clothes as well as try to have fluids like fresh fruit juice, tender coconut water, etc. To deal with rainy season you will have to have umbrellas, rain coats, etc.

9.Money Matters

This is about your bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, demat account, etc. Today managing these are relatively easier since most of them are accessible online. However, ensure you do the following for all accounts:-

Update your change of address
Update your contact numbers
Update your bank account (in case of investments if your primary bank account has changed)

Having one new bank account in the new city is recommended because in many cases there are restrictions if your account is opened in one city and you do some operations elsewhere. Try to keep your debit/credit cards, cash, etc safe.

Conclusion – Change in Career

In today’s world of globalization one has to be flexible and adaptable to change. Change is the only thing that can remain constant. Globalization is thought of as a modern concept but it has existed for several centuries and even in pre-historic times. There is a Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which means “The World is one family”. This implies that one has to view the different people, different countries, cultures, etc. and embrace them gracefully. This is also an integral part of the Hindu philosophy.

Most people in India are exposed to the value of unity in diversity, because diversity brings more variety, richness, growth and development. For example different flowers in a garden, different fruits, variety of clothes, etc. One should not think of a move or relocation as a mere challenge, but more as an opportunity to gain diverse experience, knowledge and wisdom.

This will help you emerge as a leader with initiative, guts and drive to become a successful role model for others to follow. Sometimes, moving down the career ladder, instead of up, can make sense. It could be by choice. I know more than a few people who have decided to opt out of fast-tracks to do a job that’s less stressful or a job that’s more fun. So, change in career is the need of the hour.