How to Negotiate a Start Date With Relocation
Negotiating a start date with relocation is a standard part of accepting a job in another city. The move possibly requires you to uproot your family or sell a house. It takes time to work through the issues, and you should carefully decide just how much time you need before starting the new position. When you open negotiations, you must consider the employer’s situation as well. The employer could want you on the job in two weeks. You must balance what is fair for you and the employer.
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Instructions
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Talk things over with a spouse or partner if you are in a relationship. Including your partner in the decision making usually makes for a smoother relocation. Ask your partner for the best date for you to start based on family issues.
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Get a clear understanding of your new employer’s needs by asking about the most pressing issues you will face in the new job. For example, you could have a new job as the manager of a department and department budgets for the new fiscal year are due in three weeks. Your boss could want you involved in the discussions as quickly as possible.
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Talk with your current boss if you are employed. Tell your current boss that you’re eager to get started in your new role as quickly as possible but you also want to be fair to your current company and teammates. Ask your boss how much time the company needs to adjust to your moving on. You’re not bound by the answer, but just having the conversation is a nice touch and helps you leave on a good note.
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Call your new employer. Tell the hiring manager you would like to start in 30 days. That gives you time to wrap up loose ends on your current job and put a house up for sale or negotiate a termination of your apartment lease.
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Offer to start in three weeks if your new employer needs you sooner. If that isn’t soon enough, agree to start in two weeks.
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Ask for special considerations if you agree to start in two weeks. For example, if you are starting in two weeks to work on budgeting, ask your employer for permission to telecommute for a week after budgets are completed. This allows you to start the new job, attend to important tasks and then return later for a week to telecommute while working on relocation issues.
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