Relocation Trends Workers Need To Be Aware Of
  • Home
  • Job Board
  • Career Advice
  • Newsletters
    • Job Seeker Newsletter
    • Employer Newsletter
  • Recruiting Services
    • Recruiting Services Contact
  • Explore More
    • About NexGoal
    • Contact Us
    • NexGoal Team Members
  • Home
  • Job Board
  • Career Advice
  • Newsletters
    • Job Seeker Newsletter
    • Employer Newsletter
  • Recruiting Services
    • Recruiting Services Contact
  • Explore More
    • About NexGoal
    • Contact Us
    • NexGoal Team Members

Job Search Tips

  • Matt Hendershott
  • Career Change, Data & Trends, Job Search Tips, Remote Work
  • December 8, 2021

Relocation Trends Workers Need To Be Aware Of

How largely does location factor into your job search? Whether you’re looking to stay near home, move to that city you’ve always dreamed of, or you’re willing to go wherever the jobs are, the destination matters as much as the journey.

In the COVID-19 landscape, more people are relocating for work than ever before. For many, it’s due to necessity, with massive layoffs and economic changes forcing departure. For others, it’s their decision, as the pandemic caused many to take a hard look at their careers and desired a change. Remote work options provided new living arrangement possibilities, too. Your job’s location no longer had to be directly tied to where you lie your head.

A mid-2020 Pew Research Center survey found that just over one-in-five Americans either moved due to the pandemic or knew someone that did. Young adults (ages 18-29) were particularly affected, with one-in-ten reporting moving due to the pandemic. This age group was particularly affected due to having the least seniority when layoffs came and university housing being shut down.

Neighbor.com believes this trend continued in 2021, but not due to safety concerns or layoffs.

“While 18% of respondents who plan to move in 2021 are able to do so as a result of job flexibility brought on by the 2019 coronavirus, most are ultimately doing so to lower their cost of living.” –Neighbor.com

In an attempt to analyze the post-pandemic migration landscape, we’ve looked at what Americans are looking for in their new homes and where the experts believe those qualities can be found.

What are people looking for?

For those seeking a change of scenery along with a new career, the first thought is often to ‘follow the jobs’ and move to a big city. Places like Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. surely have the most options available, right? However, that doesn’t appear to be the case in the post-pandemic economy. Job seekers looking for a new location have different priorities than before.

Extra Space Storage, which operates self-storage properties in over 40 states, found common trends in their 2021 clients, painting a clear picture of what today’s movers are looking for in a new home.

Unsurprisingly, the preeminent factor in a new location is affordable living. High unemployment caused a need to find more affordable housing, but even for those who kept their jobs, remote work allows workers to move to more affordable locations while keeping their same job.

Extra Space also cited an Upwork survey that found between 14 and 23 million Americans plan to relocate thanks to remote opportunities.

“Those with remote-working jobs no longer have to adhere to the high housing costs of massive labor markets, and a large portion of those individuals are taking advantage of the opportunity of less expensive homes.” -Extra Space

They also found many people wanting to move to less crowded areas to not only be spread out from COVID but also to have more space for their own benefit. Outdoor spaces such as large yards and porches and balconies are particularly appealing. This has led to many moving outside of the big cities and into the suburbs. Bankrate even found that 90% of movers relocated to the same county they previously lived in.

Where are people moving?

More affordable living costs, the rise of remote work being normalized, and the desire for more space seem to be the most noteworthy qualities people are seeking in their new homes. If people are leaving or avoiding the big cities previously mentioned, then where are people moving?

Forbes used data from United Van Lines, a large moving company that relocated 110,000 families, to find where people were moving and why. We’ll look to the top-five states people are moving to for work.

Forbes found that Nebraska was the number one state people are flocking to, and the Cornhusker State made their ‘Best States for Business’ the last four years. They cite Nebraska’s low business costs and business-friendly climate along with a low unemployment make the state attractive for both employers and employees.

Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Iowa made up the rest of the top five. While these states all had their issues, including lower energy prices, slow growth, and low retention rates, each one offered low business costs for employers and lower average living costs and more remote opportunities for employees.

In their own research, Extra Space found Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, North Carolina, and Texas are their own top-five states seeing massive pandemic-related growth. Again, lower-than-average living costs and more affordable business costs reigned, and these states are particularly open and spacious.

Wrap up

As the Great Resignation occurs across the country, there is a Great Relocation to match. We all know COVID-19 had a massive effect on the country, and we can see this in the number of people relocating as well as their new priorities in seeking a new home. Remote work makes it easier to choose a place to live based on its own merits over being close to the office. In an uncertain economy, people are looking for more affordable living costs and more space to live their lives. If you’re looking for a new job or a new home, this data should provide insight to help you make an informed decision.

View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More
  • Jake Pshock
  • Career Advice, Confidence, Interviews, Job Search Tips
  • November 12, 2020

Mistakes To Avoid For A Strong First Impression

Getting judged based on your appearance, mannerisms, or body language occurs in a matter of seconds, especially when sitting down with a potential employer. Giving off a strong first impression is critical in job interviews as it often sets the tone for the conversation and the direction it will take. There is no ‘second chance.’ I am sure you’ve heard the popular principles of making a strong connection, such as dressing professionally, arriving on time, and researching the company. But today, I want to take a different approach to your frequently revealed career tips.

Earlier this year, our friends at CNBC Make It revealed nine of the most commonly made mistakes people make in their first impressions, as told by various millionaires across the country. We share a few of the critical examples below and how to make the necessary adjustments:

A Poor Handshake and No Eye Contact

Investor on “Shark Tank” and Founder of The Corcoran Group, Barbara Corcoran, lists maintaining strong eye contact as one of her four major rules to making a good impression (Review her other three rules here).

“I never hire anyone I don’t trust, and I always form my first impression of someone based on their eye contact. If you want someone to trust you, you better look them straight in the eye.” – Barbara Corcoran

Additionally, it is critical to offer a good handshake, which has less to do with being the strongest and more to do with being comfortable and confident. 

Being Dismissive

Always display positivity, kindness, and a willingness to help. Comedic star Jay Leno fondly recalls individuals early in his career who ‘showed him the ropes’ and were readily available with advice, but also remembers those who were quite the opposite. Jay shared a story where a bigtime celebrity was approached for an autograph. The lack of emotion and reaction from the celebrity arguably resulted in losing a fan and negative word-of-mouth along with it. 

Not Asking Good Questions

“To build rapport and credibility quickly, ask open-ended questions.” – Marla Beck, Co-Founder & CEO of bluemercury

For example, Marla recommends discussing how your interviewer got started in their career and what led them to where they are today. You can also ask about their goals and dreams for the future. Other questions to give off a positive, lasting impression include:

 -“Have I answered all of your questions sufficiently?”
 -“What is your ideal candidate, and how do I compare?”
 -“Do you need me to clarify or elaborate on anything from my resume?”
 -“What do the career paths look like for those who have previously held this position?” (My personal favorite)

For more clever, engaging, and thought-provoking questions to ask during your interview, check out this great article from our friends at Business Insider.

Appearing Disinterested

“It’s not enough to be interesting. You have to be interested.” If you do not appear invested in the conversation and curious to learn more about them and the position, your interviewer will not view you as a qualified candidate. Save some of your pitch for a second interview and take this time to focus on them, says Cardone Ventures for Women Co-Founder Natalie Workman. 

“And don’t forget to give them your business card — ideally with your picture on it — so they have a way to follow up with you. But remember: It’s ultimately your job to follow up with them.”

Failing To Display Your Strongest Assets

“I’m enthusiastic by nature, but I used to hold back because I wanted to seem ‘cool’ — until I realized my enthusiasm is actually one of my most valuable assets.” – Alon Rajic, CEO of Finofin

Please don’t hold back when it comes to showcasing your most outstanding qualities, skills, and job experience that sets you apart. Ensure the strengths you share are unique and specific to the job, rather than general statements such as being punctual or a ‘good communicator.’

“It’s so important to identify your strongest skills and showcase them proudly. If you’re an eloquent speaker, speak often. If you’re a great listener, ask lots of questions. But you also need to avoid overemphasizing them.” 

Final Thoughts

– Stay authentic.
– Don’t force words. Speak up only when you have something valuable or insightful to say.
– Remember the ‘give-and-take’ principle still begins with giving. 

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook

Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

More Career Tips

  • Mentally Preparing For Job Search Rejection
  • Building Resilience To Overcome Any Obstacle At Work
  • Emerging Trends and Outlooks For Construction & Manufacturing
  • The Most Effective Employee Retention Strategies
  • Workplace Trend Predictions For 2023

Featured Jobs

Medical Sales Executive
Chicago, IL

Medical Device Sales Representative
Orlando, FL

Mortgage Loan Officer
Atlanta, GA

Mortgage Loan Officer
Phoenix, AZ

Respiratory Sales Specialist
Albany, NY

About NexGoal

NexGoal is a corporate recruiting firm placing athletes and job seekers with the athlete mindset in their next career.

1471 Lear Industrial Parkway Avon, Ohio 44011

1-877-2-NexGoal

Recent Articles

  • Mentally Preparing For Job Search Rejection
  • Building Resilience To Overcome Any Obstacle At Work
  • Emerging Trends and Outlooks For Construction & Manufacturing
  • The Most Effective Employee Retention Strategies
  • Workplace Trend Predictions For 2023

Search NexGoal

Connect With Us On Social!

© 2009 NexGoal. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service