When to Consider Relocating a Candidate
Posted August 14th, 2015
As hiring managers are evaluating resumes, many automatically disqualify candidates from out of state. That’s because if a distant candidate proves to be the best professional for the position, they will frequently expect the employer to cover the cost of relocation. Those costs can be significant, and the candidate may not be able to start for months after being offered the job. Those are worthy reasons to be hesitant, but under some conditions, it’s worth it to consider relocating a candidate.
When You Have an Urgent Vacancy
If there is a role on your staff that absolutely must be filled and you haven’t had success finding local candidates, you should certainly consider relocating someone from afar. You can continue recruiting locally, often with diminishing returns, but throughout that process, your company will be operating from a vulnerable position. The money you’re losing by leaving the position unfilled could prove to be much more than the end cost of relocation.
When You Find Top Talent
Top talent is hard to find and even harder to successfully recruit. If you located a candidate that has an absolutely dazzling track record and skill set, and manage to convince them to come work for you, don’t waffle about the cost of relocation. The value they bring to your organization is tremendous, and if you don’t bring them into your fold quickly, you can bet that offers from the competition will come pouring in.
When You Can Get Creative
Keep in mind that you can dictate terms of the relocation. It’s not your responsibility to immediately offer up the full cost and set a distant start date. If you find an impressive candidate that can bring value to your company, and they are willing to pay half their relocation costs and start in a month, you should consider being somewhat flexible. Remember that all recruiting, even local recruiting, has costs.
If you are having trouble identifying qualified candidates locally or you need extra verification that a candidate is worth the cost or hassle of relocation, consider working with a recruiting partner. They can connect you with a larger candidate pool, and their candidate evaluation expertise can provide you with a level of certainty that would be impossible otherwise. If this is a situation you find your company in, contact the team at Bayside Solutions and gain connections up and down the West Coast.
