If you are interviewing with a company and in order to take the job, you will need to relocate to the new office, you may want to ask about relocation assistance. Many movers, College Bound Movers included, offer this service to commercial business owners, who in turn offer it to their new hires. Corporate relocation services may include anything from coordination and packing to storage and long-distance moving.
As an employee, it can be exciting to take on a new role and approach this journey with gusto, but it can also be challenging and overwhelming for you to pack up and move to a whole new city for a job.
But if your employer offers relocation assistance, this can lessen the burden a bit so you can make the transition with ease. Here are some tips on how to ask for relocation assistance from your employer.
Understand Your Employer’s Position
Relocation is expensive, costing up to $100,000 to relocate just one employee, says Allied Global Workplace Mobility Survey. As a result, companies may be hesitant to offer this type of assistance.
But smart employers also know that once they get a talented employee on board and trained, that employee can bring them a return on investment that far exceeds the initial cost of a relocation package. It can take up to six months or more for you as the employee to be productive and give your boss that return, so many companies will do all they can to reduce that time frame.
Feel out your employer, ask others, and reach out to HR to see what their position is on employee relocation assistance before you ask formally.
Ask About the Relocation Assistance Policy
Most companies have some kind of program in place and they will tell you about it upon your hiring. Before you sit down to discuss it, think about what you will need help with. Are you locked in a lease with your landlord that you can’t get out of? Will your employer help pay the fees to break it?
Will they help your spouse find a job in the new location, too? Will they cover the costs of a mover? These are all great questions to ask.
Sometimes you may not know what’s fair to ask for, though. It’s common to feel that way, which is what leads to many people underestimating how tough moving is and the high costs that come with it.
Unexpected expenses are part and parcel of moving. Build those unforeseen events into your package. Hey, the worst they can say is no. In fact, you may be surprised at what they will agree to. After all, they must find some value in you as an employee or they wouldn’t have hired you.
Be collaborative in your approach
How you frame your request will impact your chances of getting what you want. This is why you should ask collaboratively. Break out of the “self-centered” mindset when it comes to negotiation and instead turn it into the “us-centered” approach, says Chris Voss, author of “Never Split The Difference.”
Frame your request in a way that shows your employer how the request will benefit them as well.
When to Ask For Relocation Assistance
Obviously, don’t ask for anything specific until you have a job offer. But if you’re interviewing with a couple of firms, it’s very helpful to know where each company stands on relocation assistance, as this could be a deal-breaker logistically for you. No sense in wasting anyone’s time.
- Check the job description for relocation assistance mentions: Some companies will spell it out right there in the description if they offer this type of assistance.
- Look at current employees on LinkedIn: Look at the profiles of current employees to see if they received assistance.
- Be upfront about your needs: If you require relocation assistance and this is non-negotiable, be direct in your interview. Hold off on the specifics until you actually get an offer, though.
In the end, keep in mind that companies will be more willing to provide relocation assistance if they know you’re going to be a valuable addition to their team. Focus on that and use your “valuable asset” approach when asking for anything.
Contact College Bound Movers
College Bound Movers offers corporate relocation assistance as part of our many services. We can help transition your employees through efficient packing, relocation and storage assistance. Get your free quote at 603-513-2468.
