How to Navigate Relocation in 2023

More than ever, businesses are facing the challenge of finding top talent that is willing to relocate for an opportunity. Relocation can open a wealth of opportunities for both the employer and the employee. However, convincing talented employees to uproot their lives and move to a new location requires a thoughtful approach. It used to be that many employees would pack up and find a new city to live in to find new work, but over the years (and especially following the Covid Work From Home era), this desire has dropped dramatically. Whether it be rising housing costs, mortgage rates, or just a desire to stay close to loved ones, candidates are waiting to land a remote or local role, even if that means staying on the job market. To help you navigate this hurdle, we have some advice.

Offer Attractive Relocation Packages

If it is within reach for your organization:

• Try to offer assistance with the expenses. This can include financial assistance, temporary accommodation, and even assistance in finding suitable housing in the new location.
• Consider providing additional incentives such as reimbursement for transportation, spouse employment assistance, or support with settling into the new community.
• Demonstrate genuine commitment to facilitating a smooth transition. Especially for our local #yeahthatGreenville businesses:

1. Greenville has a great culture and many communities to choose from, taking the step to help a newcomer feel welcome or showing them around can go a long way.
2. At Perceptive, we have personally helped new hires tour housing options or given recommendations for a realtor we trust with our own home searches. It often goes a long way to helping ease the discomforts of those we helped find their new dream job.

Highlight Career Growth Opportunities

• It is important to emphasize the potential for career growth within the company.
• Showcase your opportunities for advancement, training programs, and mentorship initiatives that can help employees develop their skills and advance their career with you.
• Emphasizing the long-term prospects and the chance to make a significant impact can be a compelling motivator for potential employees to consider relocation.
• You can ease the candidate’s worries about the need for future relocations for another new role and assure them that you will be worth the move.

Facilitate Networking and Community Integration

Relocating to a new area can be daunting, especially when the individual doesn’t know anyone.

• You can play a crucial role in alleviating this by actively introducing new employees to networking and social events.
• Provide information about local organizations, professional networks, and even gatherings to help your new employee feel more connected and like they can establish a support system.
• Encouraging participation in team-building activities and fostering a sense of camaraderie within the organization can also contribute to a smoother transition.

Highlight the Unique Aspects of the Location

To encourage potential employees to relocate, you also need to showcase the unique aspects and advantages of the new location.

• In Greenville, these include a plethora of outdoor activities (like the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a great downtown main street, and Falls Park), shopping areas, and cultural events that occur year-round.
• Sharing testimonials from your current employees who have already relocated and are enjoying their new surroundings can also provide firsthand insights into the positives of a move. We will often speak to candidates and are able to give them this kind of information.
• Many of our employees lived outside of South Carolina and even relocated to Greenville for reasons other than having a connection in the area (like family or a friend). These testimonials are a great way to reassure potential employees that the area is great, and without the “hometown bias”.

Flexible Work Arrangements

In today's evolving work landscape, flexibility is highly valued by employees.

• Offering flexible work arrangements, such as hybrid work options or flexible hours, can make relocation more appealing.
• Potential employees may be more willing to consider a move if they have the option to maintain a work-life balance or adapt their schedules to personal needs.
• Flexibility can also be a valuable tool for accommodating the adjustment period during relocation.
• We are seeing many organizations trying to bring their entire workforce back on site 100% of the time and having higher turnover as a result. We are seeing organizations who offer hybrid and flexible work schedules having significantly more success in attracting and retaining top talent on their teams.

Encouraging potential employees to relocate for work requires a thoughtful and comprehensive approach. By implementing these strategies, you have the opportunity to expand your available talent pool and establish yourself as an attractive employer for professionals seeking new opportunities. Having this advice in hand doesn’t always make it easier to persuade a candidate to accept your role.

Working with a specialized recruiting company for your IT and Engineering staffing needs might be the edge you need in your hiring process. Not only does a team like Perceptive Recruiting understand how to start a conversation with a candidate about relocating, we also have the resources to handle the conversation effectively. If you need help sourcing candidates who are willing to relocate for your open IT positions, get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we work!

Email: [email protected]

Call: (864) 908-0105