Can you relocate?

by David
(Portsmouth NH)

How do I handle relocation hinderance question during this tough housing market?

Response from Carl: If you're asking how you can assure a potential employer that you are willing to relocate for the job if that's what it requires, the best thing you can do is be upfront and tell them why you are willing to relocate. Often, the issue of your spouse/significant other (if applicable) comes into play since they'd presumably be coming along with you! So in that regard, a potential employer will want to know that you will actually relocate when the time comes.

With the housing market and the economy the way it is, many employers might choose to pick a local candidate over someone that would have to relocate. Unfortunately, this is something you might experience. This is especially true if the employer might look at paying for some or all of your relocation costs since they wouldn't have to pay this for a local candidate.

From your perspective, the easiest thing you can do is try your best to search for jobs local to you. In this market, employers may be looking for any reason to disqualify a candidate for consideration for a job and certainly if you'd have to relocate for it, this could potentially be a big one especially if you they also have local candidates to consider. This happens even in a good market when there are plenty of jobs to go around, too.

Carl