Are You Willing To Relocate?

<div><p><img align="right" alt="Licensed under Creative Commons from http://www.flickr.com/photos/themuuj/2224917035/sizes/s/in/photostream/" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMOx54ZB7xbTweTY50vzThXjC9WVD4WUZu2ZysKs899jSroh-Xm2TxRweiARFUKMZpfigfUHZ-m_PmXAsDvJMqs7tloTyHmBNo8kpGMv2JK0pflNCEHQ4wJ-uL9klbiFCT3U0tAOlN3n/?imgmax=800" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" title="Moving Day" width="244">I've recently been talking to people looking for DBAs and one of the questions that always gets asked early on in the conversation is "Are you willing to relocate?". It's an easy question to ask but not always easy to answer.  I suspect most people would easily give a yes or no if asked in a casual conversation, but if you put more thought into it the answer becomes more of a maybe (or "it depends" for the DBAs reading this).</p> <p><a href="http://www.kendalvandyke.com/2011/08/time-flies-when-you-having-fun.html">My current situation</a> has afforded me time to figure out my own answer. I listed out all of things I thought I should consider and found that I was able to group them into two general "cost based" categories: financial and emotional.</p> <p>The financial considerations included the obvious, e.g. salary and opportunity for career growth, and the not so obvious, such as: cost of living compared to where I live now, what it costs to move, and even the potential commute (my friend Andy Warren (<a href="http://www.sqlandy.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sqlandy" target="_blank">Twitter</a>) recently wrote <a href="http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Editorial/75251/" target="_blank">an editorial on SQLServerCentral.com</a> about this that I recommend reading). </p> <p>I think the emotional considerations are even more important, though, because money alone doesn't lead to happiness. For example, I have friends who moved from Toronto to Orlando for a fantastic job and a very comfortable life but after a few years moved back because that was their home where they felt most happy. I can relate; my wife and I are both Florida natives, and with three kids plus siblings and parents within driving distance I realize how emotionally difficult it would be for my family to move far away from that.</p> <p>So all things being equal, my preference would be first to stay local, then relocate elsewhere in the state, and finally move "somewhere else" (admittedly I'm not entirely sure where that somewhere else would be). That's not to say I would turn down an opportunity that requires relocating over something local, but it would have to be something special. Special is something life altering - maybe even historic - like launching rockets into space or solving world problems. Special is something unique, meaning you're the only place doing what you're doing. Special is a once in a lifetime opportunity that can't be passed up. In other words, if I can find a job close to home doing roughly the same things you're doing halfway across the country, I'm probably not going to be motivated to move. That's not a knock against you - it's just what I've decided is best for me right now.</p> <h5>Alternatives</h5> <p>More recently, especially in the technology industry, companies are starting to open up to telecommuting. Steve Jones (<a href="http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/steve_jones/" target="_blank">Blog</a> |<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/way0utwest" target="_blank">Twitter</a>) and Robert Pearl (<a href="http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/pearlknows/default.aspx" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/PearlKnows" target="_blank">Twitter</a>) recently shared their thoughts about it in <em><a href="http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Editorial/75167/" target="_blank">You Can Telecommute</a></em> and <em><a href="http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/pearlknows/archive/2011/08/01/telecommuting-hype-or-happening-making-the-case-to-your-higher-ups.aspx" target="_blank">Telecommuting - Hype or Happening?</a></em>. With what I've heard about how hard it is these days to find quality DBAs I don't think it's unreasonable to consider telecommuting if you think you've found the right person for your team. However, I also understand there's no replacement for in person meetings, so maybe a good middle ground is to be onsite for one work week each month. It seems reasonable to me, at least.</p> <h5>Are <em>You</em> Willing To Relocate?</h5> <p>I think it's a good idea to ask yourself this question from time to time because things can - and do - change. Maybe it's the unexpected downsizing that lies ahead, or more optimistically it's the next great job offer that you get after meeting someone at a <a href="http://www.sqlsaturday.com/" target="_blank">SQLSaturday</a> or the <a href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/" target="_blank">PASS Summit</a> (or whatever conference you happen to be at).</p> <p>I encourage you to take some time to think about what it would take for you to relocate for a job. It's a good exercise to go through, and you'll find yourself in a much better position to give an answer you're confortable with the next time someone asks.</p></div>

7 comments

Robert L Davis said...: I've been asked this question a lot. My reply is usually along the lines of, "yes, for the right opportunity." This is usually followed by a discussion about whether or not they are willing to pay relocaiton costs. If their answer is no, then my answer is no.; August 31, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Adam Saxton said...: Yeah that's a tough spot. With all of your family and friends there, you are effectively giving up your support group. That is one thing my wife and I have struggled with. Sometimes it does feel like we are alone, but it is getting better over time. Especially now that the kids are in school and we are making more friends.; August 31, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Todd Robinson said...: The biggest consideration for most people is how are they going to deal with the current real estate market. I've had opportunities come across my way, which even included a relocation component to it, but if you bought your house in the last 4-8 years, you are more than likely underwater, even if you did put the recommended 20% down. I'm in that position right now. If I were to leave the Atlanta area, I'd be faced with a short sale and have to come up with a substantial amount of money. Unless they wanted to pony up the additional sum of money to allow me to break even, I couldn't even begin to entertain an offer.; August 31, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Toddering said...: "Yes, for the right opportunity." sounds right to me.

If the primary breadwinner has a job he enjoys, where he can grow his career - that helps the whole family. I think it's best to hear exactly what the potential employer offers and to include my wife in the evaluation of options.

Also, a lot of companies want contract to perm. I wouldn't move my family for that, but I may be willing to rent a room for 90 days and commute home weekends to test a new job.; August 31, 2011 at 1:55 PM
John J Schultz said...: This issue gets more complicated with kids in the picture. Once they move from the place they grew up, they usually split their opinions on who likes the new location, and who does not. That's the biggest unknown I've encountered: no one wants to see their kids unhappy.

I wouldn't rule out relocating for the same job in a different place. If you've found your talent, but the area is causing you or your family stress, then changing just the location can be a good thing. Sometimes it's moving closer to family, sometimes farther away, sometimes it's just because the climate is hard for someone, or even just because it's there and I've always been interested.

My move to Florida was a manifestation of this. I love writing software, but the DC area was just a battle of status seekers which was always interfering with my creativity. The environment now is much better for me.; August 31, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Brent Ozar said...: I know can be frustrating when companies aren't open to telecommuting, but frankly, when companies *are* open to telecommuting, you've got some incredible competition. Offshore DBAs will beat you on price every time - I've seen companies offering managed remote DBA services for as little as $30/hour.

Getting into a telecommute position usually requires an existing trust relationship with the company. If they have to build a new relationship with a stranger, they're either going to choose a managed relationship (with a big consulting company) or they're going to want to see some incredible credentials. It's a really tough market.; September 3, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Xarn said...: Just curious.
When you are talking about relocate, you mean relocation within single country?

I tried to find out is it common procedure for companies to hire DBA overseas but no one can tell me anything about such practice.; February 2, 2012 at 2:54 AM

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