Open to Relocation? How to show prospective employers you are GENUINELY open to relocation and improve your application chances

With the Covid 19 crisis upon us and jobs across the country at risk or redundancy, we’ve been receiving large volumes of CVs from candidates across the UK stating they’re open to relocation, many of which have been asking me how they convey to a prospective employer they will (genuinely!) relocate for the right role? This applies to someone consideration a relocation at any time but is certainly ‘heightened’ at the moment with clients (and recruitment consultants!) being extra careful with their precious hiring requirements.

Think of the recipient of the CV

The average person during an application process thinks what they want and if they want that role, they don’t put themselves in the shoes of the hiring manager and what they want. If a hiring manager receives a CV from someone who is not within a commutable distance, they will typically ask themselves the following:

 ·      Is this person going to work for us remotely during lockdown, then ‘sack’ this role off once things return to ‘normality’? (Whatever the new normality is!)

·      Am I merely a stop gap for this person? Will they take this role in the short term and spend their time (Whilst I’m paying them!) looking for something nearer to home or full-time remotely based?

·      Do I need to open myself up to that level of operational risk when I can perhaps get someone more locally based? Will this candidate bring something to the table which means taking that extra risk is worthwhile?

When you’ve never met the hiring manager and they are receiving numerous CVs, you need to be doing everything you can to get your CV in consideration.

How do I do this?

Your CV and e mail/communication to the recipient is your primary opportunity to do this. I always ask candidates these questions who are considering a relocation, you need to proactively offer this info to the recipient, include it in your CV & LinkedIn profile and if you get the chance, on the phone. (Even better, all the afore mentioned!)

Do you have friends or family in the location (or surrounding)?

People suffering from a lack of social contact or missing loved ones is often a reason for a relocation going wrong. If someone has a social / family network in the location or nearby, the impact of the relocation is likely to be less, and they are more likely to stick around.

Have you visited the location (or surrounding) previously and if so why?

We get this a lot in Edinburgh (especially with the festival!) If someone has at least visited the location previously it shows they have an interest.

Do you have any other connections to the location?

Has your partner secured a course at a local University, has your flat mate secured a new job in the location and you’ve agreed to go with him/her, do you follow a particular sport that is big in that location? Anything like that gives you a real reason for moving!

Why do you want to relocate here?

There must be a reason! If so, tell the client! As a wee tip, show you’ve done your research. Eg. I’ve already looked at the location, I fancy living in areas X or Y and have identified the type of flat I’d like to live in and have worked out my commute time and costs. (and so on)

What ties do you have keeping you to your current location?

Have you recently sold your house and you’re committed to a move, have you given notice on your apartment and are moving out, are your kids completing lower school and would be changing school anyway, have you discussed a relocation with your family? Clarity around this means you’re less risk to a client.

All the above can be included in your CV profile paragraph, your e mail and/or cover letter to the recruiter/client and can also be covered in a phone call.

Are you originally from there or did you go to college/University there?

If you’ve studied there before, you’ll have spent several years living there so it’s proof of concept! Get this in the education section within your CV!

Have worked in the location (or surrounding) previously or have you worked in other locations previously or successfully relocated for work previously?

If you’ve relocated or worked in other locations for long periods previously, you represent a lesser risk than someone who hasn’t. Instead of writing; Amazon, Wood Group or Barclays, write; Amazon, Edinburgh. Wood Group, Aberdeen or Barclays, Glasgow, thus highlighting the fact you’ve successfully worked across numerous locations previously.

Hopefully, this is of some use to those that are trying to relocate for work, try out a few of the tips above and see if it improves your application responses. If you’d like any more advice feel free to reach out to me on [email protected] or 0131 297 2703