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Bigger cities don’t pay more – at least, not enough

I would scream this from the mountain top if I could. Big cities don’t necessarily pay more. Big cities don’t pay more! BIG CITIES DON’T PAY MORE (at least not enough more)!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you shouldn’t move to a big city. I love big cities. Before Memphis, I was living in the Los Angeles area. It was beautiful. Given the opportunity, I would do it all over again.

But, as you already know – money doesn’t go as far there. In California, my apartment cost about the same amount of money as an apartment in Tennessee. But, can you guess what was different? It was less than half the size of what I was used to. It had no air conditioning. It had no dishwasher. It had no private parking. And, it had no washing machine or dryer for my clothes.

That sounds like it must have been a real shack, right? Wrong. I lived in the same neighborhood where celebrities lived. I ran into a few during my time there, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver (before their breakup), Hillary Swank, and Minnie Driver.

Let’s get this right. We’re not talking cheap – we’re talking different. When I lived in LA, my priorities were different. I have friends who still live in cities like LA and NYC. Some live in tiny apartments. Others have roommates well into their 30s and 40s. It’s not a big deal. It’s not bad. It’s just different.

But, what probably won’t happen when you move to a big city is this. The new company you’re interested to work for may pay you more. But, they won’t pay you that much more. They’re not going to pay you so much more that you’ll be able to have the same house in your new swanky city. You’re going to have to make choices – like whether or not you’re down for living in a smaller space.

Why is this? Why wouldn’t a company pay you an adjusted cost of living wage? If you take an internal move, they might – or they’ll get closer. But, if you’re going to work for a new company, it’s unlikely.

This is the thing. A big city like LA has lots and lots of people; 3.9 million to be exact. Many of those people are qualified to do the same job you’re qualified to do. Most likely, you will have more competition for your job than you do today in your smaller city. And, it’s a supply and demand job market. If you want to make $100K per year, but there’s someone else who already lives in the city (and is also qualified) that’s open to taking $85K, what incentive does the company have to pay you $100K?

It’s that whole “big fish, little pond” concept. And you know, sometimes it’s good to be a big fish. For example, a city like Memphis sometimes pays more for specialized talent than LA. Why is that? Because there are very few people in a city the size of Memphis who can fill a certain job. But, in LA, there are lots of people who can.

Now that I’ve said all this, let me say that it’s not impossible to make much more in a larger city. This is especially true if you’re jumping up the ladder so to speak.

But, just don’t assume that a big city will pay you much more. It’s not a given. And, for the most-part, that’s a myth. You may make more, but the question is – how much more? And, are you prepared to try living without air conditioning or without a dishwasher?

Of course, there’s no right answer. It’s all a very personal choice. Just be sure you understand the pond before you jump into it.

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

 

Three tips for moving to another city

Have you ever thought of moving to another city? For many job seekers who are searching in a difficult market, I often recommend looking in other places. But, searching in one city while you live in another can be a challenge.

In a new city, chances are good that your professional network is weak. You won’t have the same number of friends you can call and ask for referrals. When you do get an interview, it can be hard to get to the company in person. The entire process can be frustrating, and can leave you wondering if you should just stay put.

If you’re interested to move to a new city, follow these three steps to find a new job. They’ll make the entire process easier and faster.

First, research all of the cities you’re interested in. Think about the qualities that matter to you. For example, you may want to live in a city with a certain size of population. Perhaps you want to be within driving distance of the mountains, the beach, or your aging parents. Cost of living may matter to you, or the quality of the nearby schools. Whatever qualities you select, create a spreadsheet where you can track how each city ranks. Narrow your list down to your top one to three cities.

Next, visit the city (or cities) you’re most interested in. But, don’t go as a tourist. Plan a business networking trip. Have lunch with friends in the area, and meet recruiters. Attend networking events, and job fairs. Look for any opportunity to build connections and learn more about the local market. Not only will your knowledge grow, but people will take your interest in their city more seriously if they meet you. You’ll transform from a printed name on a resume to a real person.

Last, save money for unexpected expenses. Although some industries pay their employees relocation, not all do. After you land a job in a new city, there’s a chance you may need to pay some or all of your relocation expenses. If you’re moving to a more expensive market, you may also need a little extra money to make the transition seamless. Start saving now.

Moving to a new city shouldn’t be taken lightly. Making the right move requires research, work, and time. And, it takes honesty. Very often, job seekers ask me whether or not it’s okay to use a friend’s address on their resume and job application. Don’t be lured into this trap. You will forfeit any potential relocation the company would have paid. And, you’ll have to make up a story about why you’re not available to come in for an interview on short notice. When the company realizes you’re being dishonest, it will put an automatic strain on the relationship.

If you are interested to move, take the time to save and plan. Your search will take time, and possibly money. But, you’ll secure an entirely new place for yourself and your future.

Angela Copeland is a Career Coach and Founder of Copeland Coaching and can be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.

127 | Moving Abroad – Greg Taff, Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research in Oslo, Norway

Episode 127 is live! This week, we talk with Greg Taff in Oslo, Norway.

Greg is a Research Scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research in Oslo, Norway. He conducts land use change research in northern areas, primarily in the Artic, great Scandinavia, and the Baltics. Greg’s specialties include GIS, remote sensing, and statistics.

On today’s episode, Greg shares his tips to moving abroad. He covers how to go about finding a job, the jobs easiest to land in other countries, and trips for your move. If you’ve dreamed of moving to another country, you need to hear this episode!

Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

To learn more about Greg’s work, check out the NIBIO website here: http://www.nibio.no/en.

Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!

120 | Personal Brand Building – Jenny Hargrave, InterviewFit in Guildford, UK

Episode 120 is live! This week, we talk with Jenny Hargrave in Guildford, United Kingdom.

With over 15 years of experience, Jenny helps companies attract and retain sought-after talent in competitive sectors through her executive search firm. She also assists job seekers by helping them to develop a strong personal brand through their CV, professional profile, and face-to-fact interviews at her firm InterviewFit.

On today’s episode, Jenny shares her tips on how to build your personal brand, and how to prepare for a successful Skype interview. She also helps us to understand the concept of a ‘personal statement,’ and gives us tips for how to relocate from the U.S. to Europe for work.

Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

To learn more about Jenny and her company InterviewFit, check out her website at http://www.interviewfit.co.uk/.

Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!

 

114 | International Careers – Interview with Margaret Buj, Head of Digital Recruitment, Connect Digital Group in London, England

Episode 114 is live! This week, we talk with Margaret Buj in London, England.

Margaret is Head of Digital Recruitment at Connect Digital Group. She’s also an Interview Coach, guest speaker, and was recognized as a Power Profile in HR on LinkedIn. She has also worked to place candidates in both the U.S. and in Europe.

On today’s episode, Margaret shares an insider’s view of recruiting, how to negotiate a job offer, and tips for relocating to another country.

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Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.

 

To learn more about Margaret, visit her website at http://www.interview-coach.co.uk/. You can also find her on Twitter at @MargaretBuj, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Margaret-Buj-Interview-Coach/179079935464761. 

Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!

 

113 | Career Confidence – Interview with Sarah Archer, Career Coach at Career Tree in London, England

Episode 113 is live! This week, we talk with Sarah Archer in London, England.

Sarah is a Career Coach and Co-Founder of Career Tree. She’s an expert in career change coaching with a focus on helping clients find work they’re passionate about and makes them feel happy and fulfilled. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology with research on career confidence before career change using positive psychology techniques.

On today’s episode, Sarah shares her secrets to landing a meaningful job, finding happiness at work, and moving to another country.

sarah-archer-podcast

Listen and learn more! You can play the podcast here, or download it on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.



To learn more about Sarah and Career Tree, visit her website at www.careertree.org.uk. You can also find her on Twitter at @careertreetips, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CareerTree1.

Thanks to everyone for listening! And, thank you to those who sent me questions. You can send your questions to Angela@CopelandCoaching.com. You can also send me questions via Twitter. I’m @CopelandCoach. And, on Facebook, I am Copeland Coaching. Don’t forget to help me out. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave me a review!

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