You’ve done it. You’ve had the final interview and it went swimmingly! You’ve been contacted by both the hiring company and your recruiting partner, both of which let you know an offer is going to be extended your way. This is huge! Butterflies, nervousness, the whole nine… You then head back home after work to let your significant other and your family know you’ve landed the big one. In your mind, they will be ecstatic, over the moon. You even pick up some celebratory beverages for your discussions back at the house.
The conversation starts off better than you expect and everyone is congratulating you left and right. You’ve outdone yourself. That’s when you drop it on them, “now we just have to find a place to live near the office.” It dawns on them, you have to relocate. Boy does the atmosphere in the room change.
Only one thought comes to your mind, “I should have told them about the relocation requirement earlier, this isn’t fair.”
After multiple conversations, it's just not going to work. Your family’s happiness is too important to put them through such a big transition. You now have to let the hiring company know that you will not be able to take the role. Your recruiter sure would appreciate an update :) but this isn’t something that crosses your mind. No biggie.
You don’t want to damage your reputation so how are you going to present this news to the hiring company? You want to leave things on good terms and should there be a chance in the future to work together, you’d still like to be considered. Should you be honest and let them know after discussions with your family that it's simply not the right time for a move? Should you create an emergent situation to lean on?
As always, honesty is the best policy. Sure, you might take a hit for not sorting things out in the early going, but it’s more important to be honest than to be without fault.
If a role has a steadfast relocation requirement, be sure to bring this up with those close to you. It will save you, the hiring company, and your recruiter time in the end. It might be the right role for you, but it might not be the right time for relocation. That is OK. Another opportunity will present itself. It will be the right role and the right location. That way you can continue the celebrations when offered the position.
Written by: Rob Scherer, Vice President at Hunter Crown, LLC
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