Companies are Relocating More Employees

It has the power to change your life, but job relocation is a big step into unknown territory. Is a new career worth relocation? It's daunting to consider uprooting your life to start anew somewhere else. Whether it's your family, friends or familiar surroundings acting as a hometown anchor, it's time to figure out if job relocation is your answer to a new career, life and home.

It doesn't matter if your employer or your significant other's employer pops the question; it's a valid query in today's job market: Are you willing to relocate? Personal preferences aside, a major influence in job relocation are cost factors. Will your employer cover any or all of your moving costs? Will you be able to sell your home, apartment or condominium? Can you move your child to a new school at this time? Each of these questions will play a key role in your decision. With ongoing life and career changes, your answer can differ from the last time you mulled this decision over, and a job relocation checklist is in order.

While reviewing the pros and cons of a move, keep in mind that employers' expectations are changing as trends show that relocating employees is on the rise. An Atlas Van Lines survey taken by relocation-services personnel and released in April 2014 notes that 41 percent of respondents saw job relocation numbers increase from 2012 to 2013, and 25 percent think the numbers will increase in 2014. More telling is the fact that 77 percent of the respondent's companies have a job relocation policy, and 45 percent are relocating employees outside of the United States. The top destination for job relocation of U.S. workers is Asia followed by Western Europe and the U.K. On the other hand, the top destinations for transfers in the United States are the Midwest at 35 percent, the South at 30 percent and the Northeast at 28 percent.

If you're considering relocation, these are some staggering statistics—especially if you're uncomfortable with the possibility. Moving to another part of the country can be intimidating, but when you're relocating to another country, you must also consider language barriers, cultural differences, medical needs and familial responsibilities.

Then again, moving to another state or a new country can be an exciting transition that positively affects your livelihood and family life. Becoming familiar with different cultures, learning new languages and broadening your horizons can be an uplifting and educational experience that turns out to be the best move you could make.

In the end, you should question whether relocation for work truly benefits your career. If you do take the leap, keep networking. Though job relocation is on the negotiation table for now, it's an ever-evolving jobs market.

(Photo courtesy of (Stock images)/freedigitalphotos.net)