Relocation for a new job

CLAPTON

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I advise against bothering your new employer: asking for money before you have even started is a good way to sour the relationship, and if they have to cut back on recruitment then your contract could be the first to be rescinded.

By all means talk to your bank and complete any forms needed for a loan, but don't actually borrow any money until you are about to start work, just in case the offer is withdrawn.

I completely disagree with this : whilst I don't know how big tthe compnay is, its extremely unlikely that HR would find this request unusual even if its not company policy and they refuse.

Doshwaster

PaperclipMastermind wrote: »

I have asked the company offering the job about relocation funding or a loan but they haven't got back to me yet and I'm looking around for my other options so I can make the decision for accepting/declining the job based on whether I can afford to move down.

First of all well done for getting the job offer. The graduate jobs market is very competitive so you need to have a very good reason if you are going to turn it down as you don't know when the next offer will come along. Even if you end up hating the job and leaving after a year then it's all good experience for the CV.

Very few people find their ideal job straight away so we have to take some chances and be prepared make a few wrong turns. In my first graduate job the employer went bankrupt after 9 months. At the time it felt like a disaster but now it's just a funny story to tell in an interview.

I've relocated for work a few times now and it's always a leap into the dark but I've never regretted it. Good luck.

Clive_Woody

CLAPTON wrote: »

I completely disagree with this : whilst I don't know how big tthe compnay is, its extremely unlikely that HR would find this request unusual even if its not company policy and they refuse.

Agree with you, I've had relocation packages with various jobs even from my first job out of uni. If an employer wants you they may well be prepared to help out with a few quid...right up to a fully managed relocation with all costs covered (depends on the company and the role). Doesn't hurt to ask especially if they know you are moving for the role.

PaperclipMastermind

Deleted_User wrote: »

Also - are you sure the graduate loan doesn't require you to have an income? Any mainstream loan will require an income (current, not future).

You're very right, thanks for pointing this out, I went in to the bank and double checked after this and I would need 3 months previous income before they'd give me the loan, at which point I wouldn't need it anyway.

C.M. wrote: »

I would suggest looking for a room in a house share to minimise tour initial outlay - with a view to renting somewhere on your own once settled

It's unlikely the company will offer you a relocation package unless they headhunted you, or the role has been particularly hard to fill.

I would suggest saving up to move BEFORE applying for jobs that will require you to do so

I'm following up on this suggestion after looking at house shares in the area, they seem much cheaper. I was hoping to avoid living with people after having to live in university halls for the last 3 years but if needs must I'll do what's necessary. Also worth noting; I would have been more prepared but this was my first interview so I was mostly just expecting to learn some things about interview technique from it but then they called me the next day and offered me the job so it's all suddenly moving very fast for me and I was completely caught by surprise.

Clive_Woody wrote: »

You could maybe try for an overdraft extension (I'm assuming you have one already from your student days). The flat share idea really is the best, this is lowest cost and allows you to get to know the area a bit before deciding which bit you want to live in and signing a long term contract.

If you are still waiting to hear from your new employer about them supporting relocation costs, then call their HR folk today. As daft as it seems people send emails then sit there waiting for a response when a quick phone call can clear things up very quickly (I work in an industry where people have become over reliant on email and seem to have forgotten about phones...for making phone calls and talking to people)

The overdraft idea was something suggested by the person I talked to in the bank today, I have a £1250 overdraft right no, so I will probably end up using it for this. It's times like this that make me thankful I made sure to be out of the overdraft before I finished uni. Also good point on the phone calls, I'll call them up tomorrow.

Doshwaster wrote: »

First of all well done for getting the job offer. The graduate jobs market is very competitive so you need to have a very good reason if you are going to turn it down as you don't know when the next offer will come along. Even if you end up hating the job and leaving after a year then it's all good experience for the CV.

Very few people find their ideal job straight away so we have to take some chances and be prepared make a few wrong turns. In my first graduate job the employer went bankrupt after 9 months. At the time it felt like a disaster but now it's just a funny story to tell in an interview.

I've relocated for work a few times now and it's always a leap into the dark but I've never regretted it. Good luck.

Thank you for your kind words, while I doubt this company will go bankrupt any time soon (they've been going for 30 years now and have steadily been growing in that time), you're right about experience, which is always going to be useful, not only from the work but from moving down to a new area and the experiences that brings.

Thank you all for your help, hopefully every thing will work out in the end

PaperclipMastermind

Clive_Woody wrote: »

Agree with you, I've had relocation packages with various jobs even from my first job out of uni. If an employer wants you they may well be prepared to help out with a few quid...right up to a fully managed relocation with all costs covered (depends on the company and the role). Doesn't hurt to ask especially if they know you are moving for the role.

I agree with both of you here, you never get what you don't ask for. If a company is willing to take back a job offer over a request that they can easily say no to, I doubt I'd want to work for them anyway.

poppasmurf_bewdley

C.M. wrote: »

I would suggest looking for a room in a house share to minimise tour initial outlay - with a view to renting somewhere on your own once settled

It's unlikely the company will offer you a relocation package unless they headhunted you, or the role has been particularly hard to fill.

I would suggest saving up to move BEFORE applying for jobs that will require you to do so

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Just move down into a flatshare with your clothes and laptop - minimum expense.

Doshwaster wrote: »

Yes, a house/flat share is a good idea for the first few months as it will allow you to get to know there area and is a way of meeting people (even if you end up hating them)

Some good houseshare sites:
http://www.spareroom.co.uk/
http://uk.easyroommate.com/
https://www.housepals.co.uk/

If you are joining employer with a established graduate recruitment scheme they may offer some help with finding somewhere. I know some places have staff who are happy to put up new starters for a few weeks until they find their feet. Other companies pay for somewhere for you to stop for the first month either in a B&B or hostel. However, if they haven't mentioned anything like this yet then it is unlikely they will - but it can't hurt to ask. Unfortunately with budgets being cut everywhere this is the sort of perk which is disappearing.

Without doubt this is the best way for you to go. It means the least layout of money just at the time when you don't have much to spare. So no need for a loan which will hamper you for two or three years.

Whilst house sharing, you will be able to look around the area and find the area which you like most and are able to afford, plus give you time to save up for the deposit and two month's rent, etc.

That's what my daughter did when she left Uni.

Smodlet

I have nothing practical to add, PCMM (that's you, OP ) but just wanted to say congratulations on getting your first job so quickly after leaving uni. I wish you the best of luck with your move and your new venture. Will you let us know how you get on?

Doshwaster

PaperclipMastermind wrote: »

Thank you all for your help, hopefully every thing will work out in the end

I'm sure it will all work out in the end and you'll soon be the one giving out the advice.

Starting your first graduate job is usually tough as you are in a new part of the country, no friends, no money and unlike starting University there aren't a loads of people around you in the same boat.

House-sharing may not sound ideal but it's a phase most of us had to go though. It should be better than living in halls of residence or a student house. Choose wisely and you will be with fellow young professionals who have a proper job so can't spend all night partying or whatever students get up to these days.

In terms of money, try to avoid the temptation of going crazy with your first pay packet. After being a student it may look as if you suddenly have a lot of money coming in but you need to start saving for that deposit and everything else you will need for your first place of your own.