Relocating for a job: what to consider

If you’re keen to work in a specific location, this is a good way to help narrow down your job search. Relocating for work is a little different than relocating for university, which many of you will have done already. Here are a few things that you should think about first.

Should you relocate?

One of the most popular destinations for relocation in the UK is London, and a placement year can be a great way to try it out and see if that’s where you would like to start your career after university. However, we know life in the capital is not for everyone, and plenty of students stay in the North East, or travel to new cities for their placement year.

Think carefully about the sector you’d like to work in and whether it’s necessary to relocate. There are many other graduate hotspots outside London that you can consider. This includes Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester. Think about where you would like to live for a year.

What should I consider before relocating?

Firstly, think about the affordability of the area you’d like to move to - will your salary cover your cost of living and commute? Is the commute to work short or will it take you a long time to travel from your accommodation? Does the area suit your interests and lifestyle? How far away from home will you be and are you ok with this distance?

Your employer's size could affect the way you relocate. Many larger organisations have many graduates relocating at the same time, and they can put you in touch with people moving to the area to start work, so you’ll have the opportunity to make new friends from the get-go. However, in smaller organisations, you’ll likely have to make new friends and find accommodation by yourself – but this can be a great way to gain confidence and prepare for life after university.

Working remotely and hybrid working

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot more companies are making use of hybrid working, so you may find a placement that allows you to work from home. You will need to be clear on the employer’s expectations around this before you make any decisions regarding housing.

Some employers may allow you to work from home a few days a week, but expect that placement students come in more often at the start of the placement, to learn the ropes and meet people. This can be really helpful for settling in and allowing you to ask questions, so don’t assume that all work from home policies will apply to you from the start.

Another thing to consider is that some companies are moving away from remote working and are asking staff to return to the office. If you accept a placement, remember that this is always a possibility, so again you will need to think about this when making decisions regarding accommodation.

How placement students find accommodation

For students who stay in Newcastle, many stay in housing with friends, so that they can continue a bit of the student lifestyle while working. This can be a good way to make the adjustment to work easier, as you’ll have your support network around you as you would in any other year of university. Remember, you’ll be working full time so you likely won’t be able to go out quite as much. You’ll need to ensure your flatmates understand this and can be respectful of being quiet if you have an early start.

For students who move to a new city, accommodation can vary depending on the location and the company you’re working for. Some large employers who recruit lots of students and graduates each year will offer help. This might include introducing you to other new starters virtually before you move, so that you can find others who will be looking for a house and who will be looking in a similar location to you. This can mean that you’re in a house share with several other placement students from your company.

If companies don’t go to this level of hands-on help, they can still be a useful resource. If you’re not sure where to start in looking for a place, ask them what they would recommend, and if they have any advice they can share from previous students. They might be able to help you find an area to look at, or recommend a letting agent, as they’ll have more local knowledge.

Contact us

If you would like to find out more information about work placements, or even study abroad, you can reach out to the team at nubs.placementandstudyabroad@ncl.ac.uk