The document provides tips for preparing for a job change, including making yourself available for phone calls and responding to emails within 24 hours. It advises ensuring you want to leave your current employer by discussing other opportunities, and having frank discussions with your family about the potential move to get their support. The document also suggests preparing well in advance if selling a house or relocating, researching locations, and being prepared to start a new job within a few weeks of accepting an offer.

1. Southern Recruiting Solutions
PREPARATION FOR A JOB CHANGE
Making a job change can be one of the most difficult decisions we have to make in our lives. It
doesn’t have to be as difficult as most people make it though. Much of the stress is due to a
lack of preparation. What happens very often is the ball will start rolling very quickly once that
first interview takes place. Individuals often start preparing once they anticipate an offer of
employment and that is far too late in the process. At that point they feel overwhelmed. Here
are 6 tips for making the change a smoother transition.
1.) Make sure you are able to set aside some time during the business day for phone calls. HR
personnel and hiring managers are not always able to make evening calls. Return all calls and
emails that are related to job search within 24 hours. Emails are still the most popular ways
recruiters and clients will communicate with you. Forward them to your mobile device if
possible. If you plan to be away and are unable to do so make sure the parties that are helping
you are aware of this. Not returning a call or email makes a bad first impression.
2.) Make sure you really want to leave your current employer. Hopefully you’ve had more than
one talk with your boss about your dissatisfaction and you are sure that no other opportunities
exist internally that would meet your objective. When you give your notice you want to feel
comfortable that you have exhausted your options. If your boss comes back to you with a
counter offer you will immediately know that it’s only a short term fix for their problem. You
are leaving and that does create a problem. Accepting a counter offer rarely works in your favor
in the long term and you tend to “burn a bridge” with the company making you the job offer if
you accept one.
3.) Have a frank discussion with your spouse and family members. Make sure you have their
support with your decision to make this change. The change itself can be stressful enough. If
your spouse does not support you, this change will probably not take place. If your son or
daughter is about to start their junior or senior year in high school this is not a good time to
move them across the U.S. If relocation is involved make sure your spouse and family are
behind the move. Often times it can be very difficult for them to leave friends and family
behind. Even more so for a non-working spouse who may have a well established network of
friends and be very connected to family members. You’ve got a new job to keep you busy. They
have to establish a whole new network.
Southern Recruiting Solutions

2. PO Box 23462 Tampa, Florida 33623 813-207-2070 - phone
4.) If you plan to sell your house in order to accomplish this move you have work to do. Get a
“Market Analysis” done on your home by a professional realtor. You need to know how long it
will take you to sell at your asking price. You may also have to support a temporary residence
while you are selling your home. How long can you afford to do that? This is data you need to
have in hand long before an offer comes forward.
Relocation packages vary from company to company. Prepare yourself for the lowest
denominator which might be a flat sum of cash to move. Better packages include pack, ship and
move and maybe two weeks or so of temporary living coverage. The best packages will pick up
realtor fees and closing costs and perhaps offer you 30 days of temporary living coverage. Most
are not offering extended temporary living coverage. Most companies “relocation packages”
are fixed and are not a negotiable factor.
5.) Be prepared to start a new job in two weeks from the time you accept an offer and give
your notice, if there is no relocation involved. 3-4 weeks is common if a physical move is
involved. Often times you will find yourself in the new job and city well before your spouse and
family. Make sure you have their support for that possibility.
6.) If relocation is involved research the locations you are interested in. Go to city web sites.
Make sure the culture offers what you are looking for. Can you afford to live there? Do they
have a state income tax? Is the school system the caliber that you are seeking for your children?
What salary do you need to earn there in order to maintain your present lifestyle?
Southern Recruiting Solutions
PO Box 23462 Tampa, Florida 33623 813-207-2070 phone