There are many things to consider when relocating a candidate. Making sure they are a fit for your organization and the position you are trying to fill accounts for about one-third of the equation. But it’s the other two-thirds where you’ll usually find the roadblocks, and the reasons why some relocations fail.
Relocating a candidate from another state, or even just a few hundred miles, can be overwhelming for the person. Concerns about the risk of failure on the job, and leaving the life they know and starting over, are overwhelming. It gets more complicated when a spouse and children are involved. Will the spouse be able to find an acceptable job? Are the schools okay, is the neighborhood safe, can I find a place to live within my budget, and feel comfortable? When a younger “Millennial” candidate faces these concerns, they may say no. There are many reasons a candidate will say yes to the job, but no to the opportunity because they are not willing to relocate. Forget the older generations who used to relocate for advancement and had fewer relocation concerns, they are settled and not going anywhere. You are dealing with the millennial generation that, on average, hasn’t relocated on his or her own as an adult. Remember, our industry lost a whole generation during the crash, so there is a gap in the age structure. The cushion of middle-aged workers is much thinner than it used to be, so you have to pursue the youngsters.
Millennials will evaluate your opportunity differently if they have to relocate. Young Millennials starting a family are serious about the decisions they make that affect family and lifestyle. They see the risks, but maybe not the potential rewards.
So how do you approach Millennials and relocation? Forget the term, “Relocation is negotiable.” Many times we find the perfect candidate, only to have them say no to relocation. It is the perception of relocation that has to change; the fear and uncertainty have to be addressed. The solution is simple—make relocation a process, not a risk. How do you do that? Stay tuned, next month I will outline the solution.