Moving for personal reasons 4

[jf89]

Hello all,
I got a job straight out of college that I love. The people, my duties, growth potential, trajectory of the company itself... it's all great. Now two years out of college it's working out so that I eventually have to move back home for personal reasons ("home" is about 2 hours away). We have an office near where I want/need to be, but the prospects of a transfer to that particular office are slim (though still possible if I'm lucky).

My question is: How do I go about starting the process of this move? The transfer is best case scenario, as I could stay in the same/similar projects and still work at a distance with the same people at a company that is strong and getting stronger. My other option is obviously finding a position at another company where I'd like to live. I would't want to commute the 2 hours, and there are no easier commuting options like regional rails between the two areas.

I want to explore the option of transferring first, but I'm not sure how that might affect me in the workplace if a transfer isn't possible after I've told my boss I plan to leave. As for a timeline, this isn't something that has to happen immediately, but I'd sleep a little better at night if I had a plan.

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[zdas04]

I've seen people successful with honesty. I know it sounds odd, but sometimes managers are nearly human. I've seen people go to their boss and say "my mom is elderly and I need to get to her town sometime in the next couple of years to help her, what is the chance of a transfer, remote work, or job exchange?". The company I worked for would almost always jump through hoops to make that happen. Occasionally, they would do it, but make you move yourself if there just wasn't a business reason to spend the quarter million required to move someone.

On the other hand there are pointy headed bosses who are so focused on their own career that they wouldn't let a valuable member of their team leave short of death. If you have one of those, then your only option is to quit. So the downside of honesty is pretty low risk since your personal reasons for the move are compelling to you (and you are the only one that they need to be compelling to).

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.

 

[berkshire]

Go to HR and ask to be placed on a transfer list, so that if a job comes up in that office, you will be at least up near the top of the list.
You have said that this does not have to happen immediately. Indicate your desire to move closer to home, if the opportunity arises, do not make a big deal out of this, it is just something you would like to do.

Then without telling anybody start looking for a suitable job in the area you want to live in.
If you find one, take the new job, if the transfer comes up first ,take that.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[patprimmer]

I'm with David.

If the reason is truly compelling tell boss you really like the job and company but you will eventually need to move to wherever even if it eventually means resigning.

It is probably better if you can disclose the reason, of course presuming it is what would generally be considered a good reason, although if you really feel it is private that is your right of course, but disclosure probably slightly helps your case. Heck it might even significantly help.

Regards
Pat
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[TheTick]

No guarantees, but if you share the reason, it could color the outcome.

Family thing, e.g. aging parent or child care: employer likely to accommodate.

Girlfriend thing: C'ya!

 

[KENAT]

Like so many of the questions in the soft fora there is no wrong or right answer, it depends a lot on various aspects you haven't explicitly mentioned (and probably would have trouble doing so succinctly). What is your relationship with your boss like, what is the company culture like, what is his boss, what exactly is your reason...

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[Maui]

Why couldn't you move an hour closer to home and simply deal with the longer commute? I've known many people who have done this type of commute for years, and yes it can get old quickly if you are the kind of person who doesn't like driving. But it sounds like a reasonable compromise based on what you've shared so far.

Maui

http://www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com

 

[SNORGY]

My daily commute through traffic is one hour, both to and from work. It's no big deal, really, once you get used to it.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I absolutely HATE commuting --- even changed jobs because of it.

MuleShoe has some very good points. There are real people in real management positions - sometimes. I hope to to think I am one - but that always could be argued.

 

[SkiisAndBikes]

I have moved twice for personal reasons. Both times I was upfront and discussed with my boss and it worked out really well. I was accommodating in giving them ample notice and was somewhat flexible in my moving date. The first time, my boss put some feelers out within his contacts. Ultimately I found my own job in the new town, but the door was open to return at any time.

The second move worked out even better. With about four months notice, my boss contacted a few of his colleagues which resulted in three interviews. I was very lucky for their help and if the job interviews fell through, they were seriously contemplating letting me set up a branch office.

Not every situation works out like mine did, bosses personalities differ and office politics sometimes get in the way. Good luck with your upcoming move.

 

[msquared48]

Every morning I move for personal reasons.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com