Are You Willing To Relocate?
This is one of the common questions that can come up in any interview.
Relocation is an important issue for candidates and recruiters alike. In certain instances, the expectations of the organization and the convenience of the candidate may not align and therefore it is important to prepare for this question to avoid any confusion. Even if your position on relocation is not what the employer is looking for, giving a good answer makes sure this does not affect your chances of getting the job.
In this article from the How To Answer Series by Your Legal Career Coach, we bring you guidance and tips on how to answer ‘Are You Willing To Relocate?’ during an internship or job interview. Read on!
WHY DOES A RECRUITER ASK THIS QUESTION?
This is a question that requires self-assessment on whether you are open to the idea of relocating. If the answer is in the affirmative, your response—if carefully worded—can turn out to be a huge advantage not only for cracking the interview landing the job and in negotiating the terms of your employment and job relocation package. This question helps hiring managers narrow down the pool of candidates that they are considering.
Typically, candidates who are enthusiastic about relocating for their job make the best impression. A total unwillingness to relocate is generally—but not always—a deal-breaker. When questioning candidates who are willing to move for a new job, interviewers want to know what concessions they’ll need to provide in exchange for this flexibility. These can include salary, benefits, relocation cost reimbursement, temporary housing, spousal assistance, signing bonuses, new home assistance, and cash allowance.
TIPS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION
- HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POSITION
Your answer should reflect that you consider the position you are interviewing for to be the utmost importance. Issues of relocation come later, part of the reason behind asking the question is to check how serious you are about the job.
Read Our Article On ‘How To Answer- Are You Willing To Fail’ HERE.
- EMPHASISE YOUR INTEREST IN WORKING WITH THE COMPANY/FIRM
Regardless of your relocation decision, it is critical that you inform the recruiter that you are interested in working for his or her organisation. This will show the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in working with them, and they will be more likely to evaluate your application in a positive light.
- THERE SHOULD BE AN HONEST APPROACH
It is integral to be honest when answering this question. You must assess whether you can manage the employment and lifestyle changes before applying for and accepting a job that needs you to relocate. You can honestly answer this question by admitting the challenges that relocation can bring and expressing your excitement for a new chapter in your career.
Read our article on ‘How To Answer- How Many Hours A Week Do You Normally Work?’ HERE.
- PLANNING BEFOREHAND ABOUT RELOCATION
You can make a potential relocation plan to see if you feel comfortable moving. First, look at the cost of living in the area where you want to relocate. Compare your present living expenses to those in the new location, as well as your future earnings. You should also think about where you will live. Moving from a big metropolis to a job in a mostly rural location, for example, is a significant lifestyle change. The more you learn about your future life in your new area, the more truthfully you can answer the question.
If you have recently graduated out of college and are applying for an entry-level job, your answer may look something like:
Absolutely! As a recent college graduate, I have nothing tying me down here. My ambition is to land a job working for a global company where I can advance my career over the long haul. And if this means moving in order to gain experience, enhance your operations, or secure promotions, bring it on! I love exploring and adapting to new environments and local cultures—there are always new friends to be made and interesting experiences to gain.
If you are not willing to relocate, you may express that in the following manner:
Due to a current family obligation, I am not able to relocate at this time. However, I have experience working remotely and could be available to travel frequently to your other offices if these were viable options.
HOW NOT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION
- DO NOT DISMISS THE POSSIBILITY FOREVER
Even if you are unwilling to relocate at the moment, instead of decisively eliminating any prospect of relocating, it is best to give a message that you may be open to it at a later point in time.
- REFRAIN FROM DISCUSSING TOO MANY PERSONAL DETAILS
The recruiter is not interested in too many personal details on why you are or are not interested in relocating. Your answer should be crisp and concise. In all probability, elaborate excuses for not relocating is likely to things make worse for you.
- DO NOT BADMOUTH YOUR CURRENT LOCATION
As a candidate if you are looking forward to a new location as soon as possible because you dislike your current situation, refrain from sharing this negativity with the interviewer. Instead you can focus on the new opportunities that relocating with the company would offer.
YLCC would like to thank Sachet Labroo for his valuable insights in this article.
Read our article on ‘How To Answer- Describe Your Work Ethic’ HERE.
