We all have fantasies about our ideal job. Dream jobs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are already working in ideal situations, while others are desperately trying to gain the experience needed to move up the corporate ladder. I got a little predicament for you. What would you do if you were offered your dream job, but you had to be willing to move anywhere in the country as part of the offer?
Well mi amigos, this kinda happened to me. A couple weeks ago I received a conditional job offer from a government agency that I never would have thought I had a prayer at getting in to. It’s not a sure thing, but it is definitely a great start. One of the conditions of the position, however, requires that I sign a mobility agreement. Basically that means that I agree to work wherever the agency places me. Not only that, but I could potentially be moved a couple different times throughout my career. I guess it would be kind of like the military, except not as frequent moving and I could quit whenever I wanted without receiving legal ramifications.
Before I continue on the hiring process I have been thinking “Would I be willing to give up my dream location for my dream job?” I really want to move back to the Pacific Northwest (where I was raised) and have been planning to do so within a couple years, but now that this offer has come up my plans may change. Life is about being flexible and going after your goals, but what the heck are you suppose to do when those goals conflict? There is always the potential that I get placed where I want to live, but there is also the chance I get placed in French Lick, Indiana (nothing against any of you readers from French Lick).
So bloggers, it’s time for your two cents. You helped me adjust my student loan payments and were responsible with the sale of my motorcycle. Now it is time for you to tell me what to do with the rest of my life. Would you be willing to relocate for your dream job?
HELL YES I'd relocate!
I already work in my dream job and industry, and I am willing to move anywhere for it, depending it's a good city, etc..
It's why I am already halfway packed and planning on only moving with 3 large suitcases and 2 carry ons 🙂 No furniture, no hassle!
Location matters very little, imo. You can adjust to wherever you are placed. Mobility offers you a much wider range of job choices, and thus, flexibility and security.
When I graduated, I got a job offer and was 2000 miles away within 2 weeks with nothing but 2 suitcases. Yesterday, my boss told me that I'm moving to Chicago for the next 6 months. It's very stressful, but it's cool. The job is interesting as hell, and the pay is decent.
Furniture is definitely the big drag of moving, as FB said.
I relocated to a place where I didn't know a single person within 500 miles for a job that I really wasn't even sure what it was. "Paycheck? Where do I sign?!"
A couple months ago I would have moved in a heartbeat, but now that I am living with the BF, I'm not so sure (he was luckily placed in the same area as me for his job). I know it shouldn't be about the money, but his job as a mechanical engineer earns him almost more than double what I am earning as a marketing major. I wouldn't want to be without him because we did the long distance thing long enough, but I couldn't ask him to move away from a job that will allow him to quickly pay off his debt. We are also at the point in our lives where the money is important (want a future house, kids? paying off loans, etc) so I place more importance over his high-earning job than my job (not saying that I would sacrifice happiness; I am in a good spot, but at this point I would sacrifice the 'dream job').
Moving out of the area would be very tough for me. Joining new stations is never fun, means having to leave the old station behind, etc. For someone who isn't tied down by such things, though… whetaver. I'm not the one to give advice on this, I just know that I wouldn't be willing to move out of this area any time soon. If anything, I want to move closer to the station 😀
My dream job, however, is being a truck driver. So while I could live in the same place, I'd hardly ever be here.
Moving once for a job is one thing, especially if you're single. But this sounds like they can move you whenever they feel like.
If you've got a serious relationship, you've got to deal with their job and their needs. If you have a house, you've got to go through the whole hulabaloo of moving and selling it. If you have kids, you're uprooting them from their schools and friends. Even adults will need to find new 'local' friends and groups.
Personally,, I'd never take a job that would require me to relocate more than once. Mr and I both relocated from NY/NJ to D.C. for his job (also gov't), but his office/job will never relocate.
Hmmm….Seems like it's a pretty split vote. I am going to continue through the hiring process because I don't want to give up on this position. I'll be sure to keep you all posted as I progress. It seems that the young singles are more than willing to relocated and the "in love" and settled folks aren't going anywhere.
Thanks for all your input!
I'd definitely relocate, there's not much keeping me at where I'm living in Australia at the moment. Would be excellent to to have a change in scenery and a job that I really wanted.
So Ninja… stop being so mysterious. Tell us a bit about this dream job??
@ Josh – I gotta keep it mysterious. Lets just say it involves bad guys and lots of danger.