There are numerous reasons people choose to relocate for a new position, from being closer to family to a desire for a lifestyle change or for career progression. While this is the case across all industries, it’s quite prevalent in engineering – in a recent survey, 45% of UK engineers said they were open to taking a position in another country.
If you’re thinking about applying for jobs in other cities or country here are a few things to consider, as well as some advice for tailoring your application and tips for the interview process.
Important Relocation Considerations
Making a move to another city or country requires some preparation and research to ensure everything goes smoothly. Whether a location fits your needs, think about these factors:
1. Family/partner
If you have family and/or a partner, how will your move affect them? Will they be able to join you? What types of jobs are available in the new location for your partner and schools for your children?
2. Lifestyle
What kind of lifestyle do you want? Are you happy to live in the city or would you like to reside further out and commute? If so, what are the commute times? What about your hobbies and interests, does a certain location align more closely with those? Will you need to learn a new language when relocating, and/or undertake a further driving test to obtain a license?
3. Cost
What is the cost of living like in the new location? It’s important to factor this into your salary expectations for the new role. How much will it cost to move? Will you rent or buy? What about the costs associated with commuting, healthcare and insurance? You should also consider visa requirements and associated fees.
4. Job availability
Are there plenty of Automotive Engineering jobs in the city or country you like? What is the competition like for these roles? Using the services of a specialist Automotive Engineering recruitment agency can be of great benefit here, allowing you to draw upon their deep knowledge of local markets to find what type of job opportunities are available.
Tips for Applying for a Job in Another Place
Once you’ve considered all the implications of your move, the next step is to find a role that aligns with your goals and requirements. Applying for a job outside of where you live can bring its own unique challenges, but it’s important to get it right if you’re looking at relocating for work.
Here are our top recommendations to help you find your perfect fit:
1. Draw upon your network
A personal referral holds much weight for an overseas applicant, especially as the business needs a reason to consider someone living abroad rather than a local. Reflect on your personal and professional networks. Do you have any contacts, or contacts of contacts, at a company you’re considering?
You can also build online connections via LinkedIn, as well as relevant locally-based industry forums or virtual groups. These can also be a great source of inside knowledge about open roles. On that topic, be sure to reach out to a specialist Automotive Engineering recruiter to advise them you’re actively looking.
2. Be flexible
Once you’ve made a location decision, it’s smart to be open to a range of positions – full-time, part-time and contract. With hybrid work firmly embedded across many industries today, there may also be an opportunity to take up a remote working position that leads to an eventual in-person role.
3. Be available
While phone or video interviews are now commonplace, aim to be available for a face-to-face meeting as well if you can. This will of course depend on your circumstances, but you can let the hiring manager know you are willing to meet in person in your application. As most businesses have a tight hiring timeframe, it’s a good idea to scope out where you will stay and flight (or other transport) availability beforehand, enabling you to travel at a moment’s notice.
4. Personalise your CV and cover letter
Best job search practice dictates you personalise every CV you send out, honing in on why your skills and experiences make you the best fit for the open role. But for a long-distance application, you’ll also need to address the ‘why’ of your relocation and this is best done in your cover letter. Be honest when stating the reason, being sure to equally pair this with your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
If the position requires location-specific knowledge, focus on your transferable skills, enthusiasm for the role and your ability to learn quickly within your CV.
5. Address your relocation during the interview
It’s inevitable that the hiring manager will ask you about your motivation for relocating. If the company has branches in multiple locations, they may ask you why you chose this one specifically. Be prepared to expand on the reason you gave in your cover letter. Aim to highlight what you feel you will achieve with the move and the new role, with a focus on how it benefits them.
Bonus Tip: Partner With a Specialist Recruiter
As you can see, there’s much to consider when looking for a position in a new city or country, including determining the best location for your personal and professional circumstances, sourcing a great opportunity and preparing the perfect application to showcase why you should be considered over a local candidate.
In tackling such a task, it’s good to rely on a specialist equipped with the resources you need to achieve it. As an experienced Automotive Engineering recruitment agency with offices in the UK and Germany, we can support you with these undertakings, including interview preparation. Please get in touch for a chat as we’d love to help.