How To Decide If A Big Career Move Is Right For You

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Imagine the job of your dreams — your ideal work schedule, environment, and colleague relationships, not to mention the daily tasks themselves.

Now come back to reality. Is this what you have right now?

Interestingly enough, new research shows a correlation between location and job satisfaction, suggesting a few prime places have better job opportunities. In light of this information, where you live might determine your happiness in your career.

Over the course of one year, from March 2014-2015, Monster and Brandwatch examined 1.1 million tweets in the U.S. to find out when, where, and why people take to Twitter to discuss how they feel about their jobs.

Results showed professionals in many East Coast states were the least happy — with Florida in the lead, carrying the torch of job hate. Following closely behind were West Virginia, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, Ohio, and Louisiana.

The states with the happiest professionals were Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, and California.

East Coast professionals, ready to plan a cross-country move yet? Truly, if you don’t love your job, there’s probably a better career elsewhere for you — you just might have to move out of state for it.

Here are some questions to consider when deciding if making a big career move to a new location is right for you:

Are you running from a problem instead of running to a better life?

You’ve probably heard the saying, if you run away from your problems, they’ll only follow.

There are always going to be aspects of a job you won’t like. It’s just a matter of finding one with the least of all evils. Get to know yourself before you embark on your out-of-state job search. Make a list of your job “deal-breakers” and “must haves.”

Know what you’re OK with compromising and be truly honest with what you want. If you’re not happy with the type of job you have where you are now, you’re likely not going to be happy doing it in an unfamiliar location.

Are you clear on your career goals?

Maybe you’re considering a career move because you think it will help you reach your professional goals faster.

For example, if you want to help grow a nonprofit startup, there might not be as many opportunities in that field if you’re living in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A hub where many of those businesses are located, like Brooklyn or San Francisco, might be a better fit for you.

When deciding if a move is right for you, access the types of opportunities around you and other locations. Research openings and organizations online and target jobs based on growth and personal development opportunities.

Do you have a tactical job search plan in place?

Obviously, it would be unwise to suddenly pick up and move to another state without a tactical job search plan. There’s no guarantee you’ll get a call for an interview during your first week, and you don’t want to be stuck in a new place without financial security.

Plan ahead and research specific companies in your desired location. Contact hiring managers to get a feel for whether or not you’d be a viable candidate for open positions. Use job search platforms and tools like LinkedIn to research and network with professionals in the area before you make plans to move.

Are you prepared for cost-of-living changes?

When deciding where you’re going to make your big career move, consider how much money you’ll need to make at your new job to cover living expenses.

For instance, if you’re moving from Nashville to Los Angeles, your cost of living might jump up 47 percent, according to Nerd Wallet’s Cost Of Living Calculator. Based on your new cost of living, prepare to negotiate the salary you want.

Will the new location meet your needs?

Consider weather, climate, traffic, and scenery. For example, if you can’t live without sunshine, Seattle probably isn’t the place for you. If you thrive in the hustle and bustle of the city, Boone, North Carolina, is probably a bad match.

Before making any big career move, thoroughly check out the area first. Schedule a long-term visit during which you stay with friends or room share through a service like Airbnb. Experience day-to-day life in the area. Go to networking meetups or schedule an informational interview while you’re there.

Whether you’re thinking about ways to grow your career with a move down the road or a more immediate transition, don’t make your decision without research. Don’t rush out trying to escape your current situation. Take the time to calculate and plan so you can make the best career move possible.

Are you considering making a big career move? To where and for what? Share in the comments below!