RIP Relocation Thanks to Bluey

Bluey is the GOAT kids show and a recent episode titled “The Sign” is the GOAT Bluey episode.

Stop what you’re doing and watch it if you haven’t seen it.

Why am I writing about a children’s show on LinkedIn? First, we have 10-year-old twins and a 4-year-old so, while I’d like to share more “hot takes” on the latest jobs report or all the documentaries I’ve watched, the truth is that much of my time is spent half-watching shows like Bluey while tending to things around the house.

Secondly, and more applicable to LinkedIn perhaps, is what I noticed upon my 4th viewing of ”The Sign.” I realized that this episode serves as a microcosm of a trend we’re seeing more and more in executive recruiting. It is increasingly difficult to convince candidates, especially those with kids under 18, to relocate for a new role.

The main storyline of this brilliant episode is that Bandit, “Dad!”, has decided to accept a job in another city and relocate the family. This new job will provide more money and, in his view, the opportunity to give his kids a better life. This leads to anxiety and sadness for everyone in the family and ultimately, spoiler alert, Bandit abandons his decision to move, the family rejoices, and middle-aged parents around the world shed tears.

Relocating used to be the standard for advancing your career. My father’s division moved from Chicago to Atlanta prior to my junior year of high school. My wife moved four times as her dad followed opportunities to further his career.

A report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas stated that 1.6% of Americans moved in Q1 of 2023 for a job. That is compared to 1/3rd of workers saying they regularly move to take a new job in the ‘80s and ‘90s.?

So why is it more difficult than ever to get candidates to relocate for a job? In addition to the challenges that have always existed (the hassle of moving, the emotional ties of leaving a community, the challenges of selling a home, etc.), the market today makes it even harder due to the following variables:

·??????? It’s never been easier to find a new job. Would my father or my wife’s dad have relocated for a job if they could’ve looked on LinkedIn, Indeed, or any of the other sites that post jobs to research an alternative?

·??????? With so many companies now open to employees working remotely or commuting, a job in another city may not necessarily mean that you’re required to relocate. As a result, candidates who are uneasy about relocating may decide to wait to see if another opportunity becomes available, one that’s either local or will allow them to work remotely.

·??????? Today’s job market remains hot. “Eh, I’ll find another job” is a line from “The Sign” that we also hear from candidates who are interested in the opportunity, but not if it requires them to move.

·??????? Interest rates and home values remain higher than they have been in recent years. It’s likely that candidates who relocate will potentially double the interest payments on a new home, which could negate the increase in compensation they’d receive from the new company.

·??????? And, most importantly, kids feel a new sense of empowerment to stop their parents from moving the family now that they’ve seen “The Sign”.?

If you or your company is hiring a role that requires candidates to relocate, be prepared to have candidates bail out during the interview process or even after accepting the offer just like Bandit does in “The Sign”. Consider hiring an executive search firm to manage the search process since, in addition to finding candidates, it is our job to continually close candidates on their willingness to move forward, especially when saying ‘yes’ means a new job and a relocation. Bandit’s ultimate decision to say “no” in “The Sign” is a permission slip for all pop culturally astute leaders to also say ‘no’ when they’re faced with a decision to relocate.

Seriously, watch this show.

#bluey #thesign #executivesearch #relocation #careergrowth