Articles From the Team

Conveyancing jobs and relocating: some tips for job seekers

If you’re ready for a move and actively looking at conveyancing jobs, it’s normal to feel stressed -looking for a new job can be one of the most stressful times of our lives. What if your aim is to relocate at the same time? Inevitably, this comes with additional stress.

Finding a job in a new location is different from a regular job search. It involves a lot of planning and preparation. For this reason, I thought I’d share some helpful tips I’ve learnt along the way (from speaking to conveyancers and based on my own personal experience of relocating).

First and foremost, consider whether relocating is a viable option for you.

• Can you afford to move to a new city?
• Are you prepared to move away from family and friends?
• Have you given thorough thought to the pros and cons of moving away?

These are important questions you need to ask yourself before you prepare yourself for a new job and a new move!

If you answered YES to all of the above, then it’s time to start: exciting times ahead!

1. Have a look at cities/areas of interest to you. Is there a particular area where you have connections? Inevitably, this makes the move easier. If you’re on your own and you don’t know anyone, consider the fact that this can be pretty daunting. (I’m talking from experience here: when I relocated from Scotland to Manchester I didn’t know a single person!) Once you have more of an idea about particular cities and areas of interest, get in touch with a legal recruitment agency that operates and specialises in different regions and different areas of law.
2. As a start, treat the job search in the same way if you were looking at local opportunities. Don’t change your ‘checklist’ because you’re moving. You’re about to make a big life decision so make sure you’re chasing your dream job! Conduct firm research as you’d do so with any job and check if relocation assistance is something a prospective employer's open to. You’d be surprised at how many firms will support this for the right candidate!
3. Look at the cost of living! Depending on whether you’re going north or south, the cost of living can be significantly different and salaries will reflect this. Make sure you take into consideration the cost of property, public transport, parking etc.
4. Be realistic with timescales. Remember, you have to pack up your current life in order to move, so don’t rush it or give an unrealistic deadline to potential employers. This will leave you more stressed!

Whatever your reason for relocating for work, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. From experience, when I first moved to Manchester I missed my family and friends in Scotland. But for me, I was moving from one great city (Glasgow) to another. I’ve made some friends for life and I’ve really settled into the lifestyle. The benefits of my relocating have exceeded my expectations and made the move so worthwhile.

Related

Should I relocate for my new role or is commuting a better option?