How Far Will You Go For A Job?

Location, Location, Location.  If you’re buying real estate or opening a business, you know that location is important for resale or getting customers in the door. Location is also important when you’re looking for a job.   It’s tempting to take a job with a few negatives after months of searching and waiting.  How far would you go for a job?  Here are some things to consider before you say “Yes.”

Relocation – Just about every job I’ve applied for had a question about relocation.  What do you say?  If you say no, will you take yourself out of the running?  If you say yes, are you locked into picking up at a moment’s notice and moving you and your family to another location?   One company had an extensive pre-assessment to determine not only if you would relocate but where you’d be willing to go.  Later, the interviewer commented on the small number of places where I was willing to relocate.  If you’re tied to an area with children in school or close to retirement, is the job worth making a change?

Commute - I love to watch HGTV’s “House Hunters,” where people look for new homes because of job relocation, a growing family or just a change of scenery.  One of the considerations for buyers is the commute to and from work.  Distance isn’t the only consideration.  Twenty miles in a sleepy country town may take 20 minutes, while the same commute in Washington, DC on the beltway during rush hour could take two hours or more.  I once worked on an island and commuted two hours by boat every day.  How much of your free time are you willing to give up for a job?

Safety - The new job may be a chance of a lifetime, but if the workplace is located in a high-crime area surrounded by barbed-wire fences with heavy security, it may not be worth the daily stress and concern for safety.   Will you have to travel narrow country roads late at night in snowy, icy winter weather?   Will you have to share the interstate in heavy traffic with 18-wheelers, heavy equipment or construction trucks traveling at 80 mph?  Are the train or bus stations safe and secure when traveling off-peak hours?  Nothing is certain in life, but it’s best to resolve these issues or find alternatives before you commit to a job.

Parking – “Parking Wars” is another favorite TV show.  Parking tickets and lot fees can add up. Will you have to get to work an hour early to find street parking or a spot in the parking garage?  Safety is also an issue if you have to work late in an area that is deserted after five o’clock.  Empty streets and secluded parking garages in downtown or remote areas can add stress to the added cost.

Family Time - A new job can come with a new schedule with more responsibility and longer work hours.  It was easy to get in a run before dinner or go to the kids’ soccer games when you clocked out every day at 5 p.m.  How will the new job change your schedule and affect your family life?  Is it worth missing out on family events for the money?  These are tough questions that can affect people and relationships. 

Consider the consequences and have a family meeting to discuss the changes and work through any issues.  After careful consideration, you’ll be in a better position to say “yes” or “no.”