How’s the weather treating you? If you’ve had enough cold / heat / rain / sleet / fill in the blank, you might be vowing to be gone by this time next year. That’s a common enough resolution, which tends to repeat over and over before the average individual makes it real.
While the inertia could be related to anything from a lack of commitment to financial instability, I’m betting the real culprit is the lack of a plan. If this is going to be your year, the following 12-month plan will help get you started.
January. Begin by deciding what you'll do with your current residence. If you own, you'll need to review options such as selling your home, renting it out, or perhaps asking friends to swap caretaking for rent.
You’ll also need to schedule time away from work, for tasks at home as well as trips to your target location. Plan for at least a few long weekends, if not three or four stretches of two or three weekdays in a row.
February. Decide where you're moving. Use any process or criteria that appeals to you: economic data, weather, locations where friends or family reside, proximity to a favorite activity, etc. With strategy, almost any location can work, so don't be afraid to dream. Once you've decided, research to verify that your choice will work for you. Force yourself to choose by the end of February.
March. If a house sale is part of your plan, create a timeline and project list to prepare.
If you’re not overwhelmed with house issues, use this month to determine your job goal. Research can help, as can a career counselor. Don’t forget options for transferring or working remotely for your current company.
April. Visit the new location. This is an exploratory trip, where you'll meet with people from the community or your profession without explicitly asking for work. Make the connections through your house of worship, professional association, or college alumni association, and by asking friends and colleagues for contacts. Set up coffee chats designed to help you learn about resources and broaden your overall network.
May. Update your resume and start any refresher courses you might need. Prepare your reference list as well, and update your LinkedIn page.
June. You'll launch your search soon, but first you need to research the market. Since Internet postings won't provide enough leads, assume you'll be contacting companies directly to express your interest. Use this month to build a list of 50 employers, complete with as many department managers as possible.
July. Ready, set, go. Write to managers for meetings, and note when you'll be in town next. Follow up with phone calls to schedule these in-person conversations. The minute someone says "yes," research exhaustively to prepare, while continuing to fill your calendar. Make a trip to conduct the meetings.
August. It's full-swing job search now. Your goal is to talk with dozens of potential employers and schedule first or repeat meetings with at least three per trip. And yes, this is probably getting expensive. If that's prohibitive, consider taking a lower-level position in the new location and conducting the "real" search after you've moved.
September and October. Clean up details on both ends of the equation. You'll need another trip to shop for a home and possibly schools, and as much job search as you can fit into your schedule. If you can go part time at your current job, that will help.
November. By now you should be heading into final interviews with at least one employer. If not, pour on the steam to unlock the jam. Consider any option that will make a move feasible, including contract or part-time work.
December. Assuming you have an offer in hand, this is your month for packing, leaving, unpacking and starting fresh. If you don't have an offer, consider your options: move anyway and continue searching; delay the move but continue searching; negotiate with your current employer to work remotely … just don't give up unless you've lost interest. With this much momentum in your favor, you're probably closer to a successful finish than you know.
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