Changing careers can be a daunting experience, especially if you are moving to a new city (or country, for that matter). There are many factors to consider. How do you decide if you’re making the right decision? Is it the job for you? Will you enjoy the new city? I recently moved from London, England to Los Angeles, California and decided to put together a few tips to help others making the big move for a new job.
Research: Whether you’ve already accepted a position or you’re hoping to land a job once you arrive, first things first, research. Look up agencies that specialize in whatever it is that you do. Contact them directly, introduce yourself and be honest. Do they have Yelp reviews? Where are they located? Look up employees on LinkedIn. Read their Tweets and Facebook posts. This will familiarize you with the company and if you can begin to visualize yourself working there, you’re off to a good start.
Get to know your company: Interviewing can be pretty scary and an unnatural experience for a lot of people. Suggest to your new boss that you grab a coffee or go for lunch, that way you can get to know one another in a more relaxed, neutral environment. Maybe invite your new team, that way you’ll have several new people just waiting to be your friend.
Explore: This is one of the best things about moving to a new city. Look at sites like MeetUp to see if there are other people who share the same hobbies as you. Los Angeles is a great place to explore! There are so many hikes to choose from (my favorite is the Hollyridge trail which takes you right behind the Hollywood sign) or new restaurants to discover. If you’re in the tech industry, check out groups like LA UX Meetup, UX Book Club of LA and Digital LA and start networking.
Be patient: There will be times when you feel homesick and lonely but be persistent and patient. It takes time to settle into a new place, make new friends and see results from a new job. The times that you feel low will be the times that you put in the extra effort to make it work. Be willing to take yourself out of your comfort zone and throw yourself in head first.
If you’re currently re-locating or have your own suggestions, we’d love to hear what worked for you. Tweet us @ArtisanUpdates and tell us what you think.
Laura Pell, Talent Acquisition