If you’re seeking a new job in accounting and finance, have you considered looking outside your region? Expanding your job search might provide options not available locally, from a higher salary to a better quality of life. But relocating is a decision that most professionals must weigh carefully. After all, moving involves more than a new job – it’s a lifestyle change.
In a recent Robert Half Finance & Accounting survey, 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs) were asked what factors would most influence their decision to relocate to a different city for a better job opportunity. Based on the poll’s results, here are some questions to help you consider whether relocation is right for you:
• What would influence you? Thirty-one percent of CFOs said the quality of life in a new city would influence their decision to relocate, while 27 percent said salary would be a major consideration. Another 13 percent cited cost of living in a new city, 6 percent said status of a new position and 5 percent pointed to distance of move. Twelve percent of CFOs surveyed said they would not move at all. What matters most to you when considering a move? It’s important to know what factors you most care about so you can determine if the benefits of moving outweigh any drawbacks.
• What do you want personally? If it seems like a move might be smart professionally, be sure to ask yourself some personal questions regarding quality of life, the consideration mentioned most often by CFOs in the survey. Are you ready to live in a new town? Or are you content with your current living situation? You might make a list of the desirable qualities about your community and compare them to what the new community could offer, both professionally in personally. This list can serve as a guide as you assess whether relocation is a good option for you.
• What are your options? To help determine whether to expand your job search outside your current city, tap into your professional network, including industry associations and contacts at other firms, to help you assess whether a move is desirable or even necessary. For instance, if you are in a small town where you have worked for a number of years, a larger city could offer new prospects for professional growth. On the other hand, if the higher costs of living associated with larger cities will jeopardize your ability to take part in many of the activities you most enjoy, a higher salary or other professional advantages may not ultimately make the most sense for you.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
This article was provided by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International, Inc. As the industry leader and expert in temporary financial staffing, the company provides an array of resources to job seekers, including salary data, job search tips, advice on which skills are in demand, and online courses providing continuing professional education credits. Accountemps has more than 330 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.
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