If you’re interviewing for a position and the hiring manager asks if you’re willing to relocate, it’s important to answer this question honestly. Learning how to answer this question can better your chances of receiving a job offer and possibly prepare you for relocation. In this article, we will discuss why employers ask this question, how to answer it and provide examples.
A formal answer would be: “For the right opportunity I am definitely willing to relocate. I believe that this position and company is that opportunity.” If you have no issue with relocating for this position, it would be very beneficial to ask the interviewer questions as well.
Job Interviews 10: How to answer, “Are you willing to relocate?” Good interview answer
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Always keep in mind that you are interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you.
Examples of the Best Answers
Here are sample answers to the question, “Are you willing to relocate?” that you can use as models for your own responses. You’ll find examples of “yes,” “maybe,” and “no” answers.
Sample (YES)
Absolutely! As a recent college graduate, I have nothing tying me down here. My ambition is to land a job working for a global company where I can advance my career over the long haul. And if this means moving in order to gain experience, enhance your operations, or secure promotions, bring it on! I love exploring and adapting to new environments and local cultures—there are always new friends to be made and interesting experiences to gain.
Why It Works: This “yes with enthusiasm” is the ideal response to the question of relocation. The candidate not only suggests that they are focused and passionate about advancing in their career, but also that they’re a team player who can acclimate to change in order to contribute to the company’s success.
Sample (MAYBE)
I love this area and my partner and I just bought our first house here. Nonetheless, I would certainly be willing to move for the right opportunity. I would want to do some research about a proposed relocation first to compare the cost of living and to see how the benefits of living there might measure up to those our family enjoys here. Can you tell me more about the opportunities such a relocation might offer?
Why It Works: This is a good example of how to say, “Maybe.” The interviewee offers valid concerns about relocating without ruling it out entirely. They then place the ball back in the hiring manager’s court with a question that demonstrates their sincere interest in the company.
Sample (NO)
Due to a current family obligation, I am not able to relocate at this time. However, I have experience working remotely and could be available to travel frequently to your other offices if these were viable options.
Why It Works: Sometimes, one simply can’t relocate because of life circumstances. Without going into unnecessary detail, this candidate offers a “No, but …” response. If they’re a top candidate for the position, there’s always the possibility that the employer might decide to forego the relocation requirement and hire them.
What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know
This is a job interview question that requires that you know yourself—are you open to the possibility of relocation? If you have the flexibility to relocate as the position requires, your response—if carefully phrased—can work to your advantage in both landing the job and in negotiating the terms of your employment and job relocation package.
This question helps hiring managers narrow down the pool of candidates that they are considering. Typically, candidates who are enthusiastic about relocating for their job make the best impression. A total unwillingness to relocate is generally—but not always—a deal-breaker.
When questioning candidates who are willing to move for a new job, interviewers want to know what concessions they’ll need to provide in exchange for this flexibility. These can include salary, benefits, relocation cost reimbursement, temporary housing, spousal assistance, signing bonuses, new home assistance, and cash allowance.
If you are willing to relocate, you can put a statement to this effect on your resume and cover letter.
Express enthusiasm for the position
When crafting your response to a question about your willingness to relocate for work, begin by stating your excitement about the role. This shows the hiring manager that you have a strong motivation to succeed with the position, which means you are more likely to endure any difficulties related to relocation.
Create a relocation plan
To determine if you feel comfortable moving, you can create a potential relocation plan. First, you should examine the cost of living where you would move. Compare your current cost of living with the new location and your potential earnings. You should also consider the area you will live in. Moving from a big city to take a job in a highly rural area is a big shift in lifestyle, for example. The more thoroughly you research your potential life in your new location, the more honestly you can answer the question.
Once you understand the new cost of living, research living arrangements. Consider the cost of the home and the work commute to expect. Make sure there are homes within commuting distance of the business in your price range.
You should also consider the moving process. Depending on the employer, they may offer to cover some or all of your relocation expenses. If not, you’ll need to calculate the cost for moving and incorporate it into your budget. Moving can also take some time, so you may need up to a week to pack, move and unpack your belongings.
Assess the question honestly
This is a question where it is important to speak truthfully. Before applying for and accepting a job that requires you to move, you must understand that you can manage the job and lifestyle changes. You can answer this question honestly by acknowledging the difficulty of moving can cause and expressing your excitement for a new step in your career path.
Assure the hiring manager you are comfortable moving
After explaining your plans and your enthusiasm, reassure the hiring manager about your ability to relocate. Offer any other details about the move that you’re excited about or any long-term plans you can make once you relocate. You can detail your aspirations for the role with the company to show you’re ready to contribute.
Once you have created a strong response to the question, spend some time before your interview to practice your response. This is a sound decision for all questions you feel you are most likely to encounter. Practice allows you to get comfortable answering the questions so you will sound natural and relaxed during your interview.
Moral of the story, if you want the job, either give a transparent and valid reason why you can’t or shouldn’t relocate, or express an openness to discussing it. That way, you ensure everyone’s on the same page before moving forward in the interview process—and impress the hiring manager with your positive and professional attitude. Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to prove that yes, English majors can change the world. She’s written almost 500 articles for The Muse on anything from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBCs Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. She calls many places home, including Illinois where she grew up and the small town of Hamilton where she attended Colgate University, but she was born to be a New Yorker. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway.
It’s understandable if you want a job but aren’t necessarily thrilled to pick up and leave your current life for it. Maybe you’re comfortable with remote work. Maybe you just got settled in a new home and don’t want to leave it so soon. Maybe all your friends and family live nearby and the company’s location promises less interaction with the people you love.
If you really want the job but struggle to commit to relocating, you have to figure out the best way to break that news to the interviewer without hurting your chances. And if you’re OK with moving under certain conditions, you’ll need to express those conditions clearly before signing up for something you can’t follow through on later.
Try one of these responses to emphasize your flexibility and passion. Remember, like any interview question, you want to make yourself stand out against other candidates who are just as excited about the role. By focusing on what makes this role special to you and your attachment to its location (if you have one), you convince the interviewer that you’d fit right in.
Take answering the question, “Are you willing to relocate for the job?” Sure, in theory it basically requires a straight yes-or-no response (“yes I will move” or “no I won’t”), but of course things aren’t always that cut-and-dried.
7 sample answers to “Are you willing to relocate?” interview question
Your attitude is the most important thing for the interviewers
Maybe you cannot relocate at the moment, and have your reasons. Hiring managers will understand it, as long as you explain clearly why you cannot, and show your willingness to do so–when the conditions will be more favorable.
Also it makes a lot of difference whether you refuse to relocate because you are lazy or afraid to start in a new place, or because you want to consult your family, or take care of your ailing mother. Seeing that you do not think only about yourself, and want to discuss important moves with your loved ones, hiring managers will give you some extra points for your answer.
FAQ
Are you willing to relocate for this role meaning?
Are you willing to relocate are you willing to relocate?
