I got to do something really fun in the name of work this week!
One of the perks of being a recruiter is showing a prospective job candidate around an area they’re considering to relocate to.
In this case it was a family affair. While my candidate was on his job interview I got to show some WNY countryside to his wife and children, and we had a blast!
We picked a rural area because this family actually owns some livestock down in Pennsylvania, where they live, and would be looking for a similar situation/similar lifestyle.
Luckily for Western New York, we have it all; from farm country, to ski country, to city life and suburban heaven. WNY has many religious and cultural communities as well if you’re looking for neighbors with common ground.
So, WHAT am I getting at here?
I’ll tell you.
A job isn’t JUST about the requirements and starting salary. In many cases – especially with candidates who have families (who should be VERY MUCH a part of the decision-making process), location is prime as is standard of living and comfort with an area.
For instance – I’ve met MANY West Coasters who would/could never move to, much less survive in the Northeast. I’m not passing judgment. I’m just saying that you can have a job you love that pays you well, but if you’re not in your element it gets stressful.
I know a bunch of extremely successful people who have accepted jobs with Fortune 100 companies in states far away, or cities that don’t jive well with their personalities who leave those jobs to “come back home” or move to a place like home.
As a recruiter, it’s my job to gauge my candidates’ reactions to job locations. If they’re teetering on the edge of not considering a job opportunity based on location, it’s my job to talk with them, understand what their needs/wants/hobbies are and to see if the location would suit those needs.
When a candidate is getting close to an offer, or has been made an offer that would require relocation, it’s my job again to show them what a geographical area can offer that SUITS THEM.
No two people are alike – this is something my industry has painstakingly taught me. Just because Manhattan is a “happening place” doesn’t mean that everyone wants to live there. Just because Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state doesn’t mean that everyone wants to live there!
The prospect of relocation is a deal breaker for a lot of candidates – but for those willing to relocate, I need to ensure that they will find a measure of home and comfort where they hang their hat!
