Relocating for work – what to consider

As key players in the executive search and selection field, InterSearch Ireland has experienced and continues to experience the current ‘employees market’ in 2018. The unemployment rate, currently at 5.1%, serves as a very attractive time not only for Irish citizens to return home, but for expats to consider relocating to Ireland as a new destination for the next step in their career. There has been significant growth, especially in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors as innovation and investment increases within these areas.

With the unemployment rate so low and opportunities available in a wide range of sectors, it is becoming more challenging to attract candidates to alternative career opportunities. Ideal candidates are highly valued by their employers and risk being counter offered.

It is when clients are faced with challenges in talent acquisition that we as executive search specialists are retained to use our knowledge and expertise to exhaust all avenues and find the dream candidate. This process includes an extensive search for top talent abroad, which adds complexity to the search process, as an international candidate will require relocation.

Relocating – what to consider?

There is a level of responsibility on us as executive search consultants to ensure a smooth, happy and voluntary transition for the individual considering a relocation for their ideal next step. We ask the pertinent questions and have the meaningful conversations from the beginning to ensure that the individual has considered certain aspects.

Duncan Gruselle, head of public sector division at InterSearch Ireland has been involved in many candidates’ relocations to Ireland. His own experience of relocating to Ireland from the UK with his family a number of years ago has given him a depth of empathy and understanding when conversing with others in a similar situation.

“The challenges of a relocation run in parallel with those of the search process and can add significant complexity for the parties involved. At InterSearch we pride ourselves on ensuring as smooth an appointment process as possible for all concerned; the hiring organisation, the future employee and their dependents.”
said Duncan Gruselle, head of public sector division at InterSearch Ireland.

Cost of living

This is important, especially concerning house prices, rental fees, taxation levels, childcare and healthcare. These costs should be benchmarked against one’s current cost of living. Does the opportunity itself hold higher importance than the cost of living? Does the increase in salary balance out the higher taxation level? The cost of living in Ireland is certainly manageable but will depend on the town or city you are relocating to. Where there is a higher cost of living, salaries also tend to be higher. Cost of housing may then become the more important consideration. However, where there is good road access, it can allow individuals the opportunity to live within a commutable zone at a fraction of the price.

Education

If relocating with family or planning a family in the future, the cost of education will be a significant factor to consider. Ireland, fortunately, has a well-established and high-quality education system. For those relocating with children about to enter third level education, the cost and standard of third level education should also be factored in. Ireland has 7 universities and 14 institutes of Technology, with a proven track record of producing highly qualified graduates well prepared for the demands of the workplace.

Employment Prospects

If you are relocating for an exciting career opportunity, it is also essential to assess the future long-term employment prospects in that country to ensure you will be able to advance your career in your preferred industry. This may involve a deeper understanding of growth potentials in your preferred sector. By way of an example, Ireland is one of the world’s leaders in Medical Technology with over 300+ MedTech companies all supported by academic, government, industry and clinical agencies, and so there are plenty of employment prospects in this area.

Family

Are your kids at an appropriate age to move them? Does your family want to move? How will language barriers be overcome? Will there be employment prospects for the spouse or partner? Are you happy enough to be away from friends and extended family for extended periods of time? These are all critical conversations to have before deciding on a career move abroad.

The Company

At InterSearch Ireland, we have a very close relationship with our clients who are key players in their industries. We are highly knowledgeable of how they operate and understand their respective organisational cultures and strategies. While we can only give so much information to the candidate, it is also imperative for the candidate to research the company culture, history, and ask the pertinent questions during interviews. Both parties will be looking for the best fit.

Anyone who has experienced working in a foreign country has likely experienced a level of uncertainty when initially immersed in unfamiliar cultures. However, the last thing either party involved wants is for uncertainty and unhappiness to transition to the workplace and personal life.
This is why having these conversations and doing the necessary research is vital prior to relocation. InterSearch Ireland adds value to the executive search process by addressing concerns over relocation challenges and advising candidates on what to consider while deciding if relocation is for them.

“Having these conversations about relocating are critical to the success of a search assignment. A well-managed process reflects well on the hiring organisation and represents the very best of starts for new staff relocating from abroad and maybe, lead to a quicker learning curve in the role and faster integration into the organisation.”
said Duncan Gruselle, head of public sector division at InterSearch Ireland.

Written by: Eimear O’ Driscoll, Executive Search Researcher

Published by InterSearch Ireland a proud member of InterSearch Worldwide

Original Source: Ireland – InterSearch Ireland