blairdin Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Anybody been in a position where they are neogiating moving the length of the country for a job? I've been asked to apply for a job in London. Quietly confident I would get it if I applied - I performed the role a few years ago on a 1 year contract, but it's a permanent position now. I'm not sure about London, it's a lonely place, but it's also the only place where I can further my career at the moment. So - what kind of petty demands am I allowed/entitled to make as part of a relocation paackage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chester copperpot Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Anybody been in a position where they are neogiating moving the length of the country for a job? I've been asked to apply for a job in London. Quietly confident I would get it if I applied - I performed the role a few years ago on a 1 year contract, but it's a permanent position now. I'm not sure about London, it's a lonely place, but it's also the only place where I can further my career at the moment. So - what kind of petty demands am I allowed/entitled to make as part of a relocation paackage? I was in a similar position 2 years ago, where I applied for a Head Office secondment based at Canary Wharf. Agreed with the wife I'd go down for a 2yr secondment (If I got it), then come back 2 years later with a much heftier salary and obviously bigger ambitions. They offered me 5K relocation package plus 4K a year London living allowance. However I still had to pay my mortgage up here, and keep my wife and 2 kids in our own house. I also needed to find my own accomodation down there which I needed to fund due to the offer of 5K up front and 4K per year (?330 a month) The 13K I was being offered for 2 years down in London was just not financially viable for me, especially when I was away from my family for 2 years (had just had a baby too), so prob best I knocked it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 I was in a similar position 2 years ago, where I applied for a Head Office secondment based at Canary Wharf. Agreed with the wife I'd go down for a 2yr secondment (If I got it), then come back 2 years later with a much heftier salary and obviously bigger ambitions. They offered me 5K relocation package plus 4K a year London living allowance. However I still had to pay my mortgage up here, and keep my wife and 2 kids in our own house. I also needed to find my own accomodation down there which I needed to fund due to the offer of 5K up front and 4K per year (?330 a month) The 13K I was being offered for 2 years down in London was just not financially viable for me, especially when I was away from my family for 2 years (had just had a baby too), so prob best I knocked it back. I'm lucky in that all I have to worry about is me (and Roman the cockatiel). I'd prefer to not sell my place up here, but thought about signing it over to letting agency to let out on my behalf at least for a few more years so I have something to come home to if it goes tits-up. But if I'm not selling, I'd be 100% reliant on some form of relocation sum to cover my moving costs and help with a deposit on a flat somewhere down there. Actually putting a figure on that is difficult though! So it's helpful to know what your employers valued it at. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chester copperpot Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I'm lucky in that all I have to worry about is me (and Roman the cockatiel). I'd prefer to not sell my place up here, but thought about signing it over to letting agency to let out on my behalf at least for a few more years so I have something to come home to if it goes tits-up. But if I'm not selling, I'd be 100% reliant on some form of relocation sum to cover my moving costs and help with a deposit on a flat somewhere down there. Actually putting a figure on that is difficult though! So it's helpful to know what your employers valued it at. Cheers. No worries mate. Depends on how much they want you. If it was like me, I had to be successful to get the package. You might be in a stronger place than I am, as I work for a huge bank, and they can get whoever they want in from London if the boys from north get a bit greedy. Good luck mate, hope you get what you're looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boaby Ewing Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I'm lucky in that all I have to worry about is me (and Roman the cockatiel). I'd prefer to not sell my place up here, but thought about signing it over to letting agency to let out on my behalf at least for a few more years so I have something to come home to if it goes tits-up. But if I'm not selling, I'd be 100% reliant on some form of relocation sum to cover my moving costs and help with a deposit on a flat somewhere down there. Actually putting a figure on that is difficult though! So it's helpful to know what your employers valued it at. Cheers. I'd negotiate pretty hard on it - if you want a flat on your own in a semi-decent area you're looking at at least a grand a month. So take that as your base and go from there (subtracting your mortgage obviously, you can't expect them to bankroll that). Cost of living isn't that much more if you're sensible (though it is slightly more expensive... say ?3 a pint, and you'll probably use Tesco Metros and the like more than big supermarkets without a car). Additionally, it is definitely a city which encourages eating out and takeaways more than any where else I've lived. Budget about ?100 + for tube travel/buses a month, and a taxi home is rarely less than ?20, even for a mini-cab. Basically, it depends how much of a career move it is - you can't push it too far, especially in the current economic climate, but at the same time if you don't ask you don't get. And if you're a viable candidate from within the company, it's worth baring in mind that it generally costs a few grand to get someone externally. Anyway, even if they aren't being too generous, if it could mean returning to Scotland in a few years with a much more senior position and a fatter salary then it might be worth going for it regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 No worries mate. Depends on how much they want you. If it was like me, I had to be successful to get the package. You might be in a stronger place than I am, as I work for a huge bank, and they can get whoever they want in from London if the boys from north get a bit greedy. Good luck mate, hope you get what you're looking for. It's one of the major reinsurers that have asked me to apply for a position with them. Claims is quite a specialist role but by no means would I say it's a blank cheque. That's why if I decide to go for it I want to have an idea of what is reasonable/realistic/not greedy in terms of relocation packages.... Cheers again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 I'd negotiate pretty hard on it - if you want a flat on your own in a semi-decent area you're looking at at least a grand a month. So take that as your base and go from there (subtracting your mortgage obviously, you can't expect them to bankroll that). Cost of living isn't that much more if you're sensible (though it is slightly more expensive... say ?3 a pint, and you'll probably use Tesco Metros and the like more than big supermarkets without a car). Additionally, it is definitely a city which encourages eating out and takeaways more than any where else I've lived. Budget about ?100 + for tube travel/buses a month, and a taxi home is rarely less than ?20, even for a mini-cab. Basically, it depends how much of a career move it is - you can't push it too far, especially in the current economic climate, but at the same time if you don't ask you don't get. And if you're a viable candidate from within the company, it's worth baring in mind that it generally costs a few grand to get someone externally. Anyway, even if they aren't being too generous, if it could mean returning to Scotland in a few years with a much more senior position and a fatter salary then it might be worth going for it regardless. Thanks Dave. In terms of my job, I've pretty much climbed as high as I can working for an insurer, so that means a reinsurer is the next step for me. Imagined it being a few years from now, but if there's an opportunity at the moment I'd be nuts to rule it out. Having worked for most of the main Scottish insurers, that makes me a good candidate. I imagined living outside London and commuting, not sure I want to live in the city. Sensible place would be close to Stanstead or Luton, but again I wouldn't know where to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boaby Ewing Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Thanks Dave. In terms of my job, I've pretty much climbed as high as I can working for an insurer, so that means a reinsurer is the next step for me. Imagined it being a few years from now, but if there's an opportunity at the moment I'd be nuts to rule it out. Having worked for most of the main Scottish insurers, that makes me a good candidate. I imagined living outside London and commuting, not sure I want to live in the city. Sensible place would be close to Stanstead or Luton, but again I wouldn't know where to start. Are you going to be on Fenchurch Street again (unless I'm mistaking you for another poster)? If so, I'd pick an area based on being able to get a frequent overland train direct to Liverpool St., or Fenchurch itself, it'd make a massive difference. Regardless, don't need to tell them you're planning on commuting in when you're negotiating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deek Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Thanks Dave. In terms of my job, I've pretty much climbed as high as I can working for an insurer, so that means a reinsurer is the next step for me. Imagined it being a few years from now, but if there's an opportunity at the moment I'd be nuts to rule it out. Having worked for most of the main Scottish insurers, that makes me a good candidate. I imagined living outside London and commuting, not sure I want to live in the city. Sensible place would be close to Stanstead or Luton, but again I wouldn't know where to start. Harpenden and St Albans are good places to live if you are not moving inside London. Both are served by Thameslink on the Luton airport line. 20 minutes to St Pancreas or 30 minutes to London Bridge for the jubilee line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Tolbooth Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Thanks Dave. In terms of my job, I've pretty much climbed as high as I can working for an insurer, so that means a reinsurer is the next step for me. Imagined it being a few years from now, but if there's an opportunity at the moment I'd be nuts to rule it out. Having worked for most of the main Scottish insurers, that makes me a good candidate. I imagined living outside London and commuting, not sure I want to live in the city. Sensible place would be close to Stanstead or Luton, but again I wouldn't know where to start. Hi Blair, Cracking news on your job prospects mate, I'm dead chuffed for you. I totally hear what your saying about London being such a lonely place and I think commuting might be the best thing if you decide to move down there. Chelmsford an surrounding area is a nice place to live, and it's very close to Stanstead for cheap air fares up and down to watch the JT's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Are you going to be on Fenchurch Street again (unless I'm mistaking you for another poster)? Spot on Dave. Difference being if I go this time it means fully committing to it. Harpenden and St Albans are good places to live if you are not moving inside London. Both are served by Thameslink on the Luton airport line. 20 minutes to St Pancreas or 30 minutes to London Bridge for the jubilee line. Hi Blair, Cracking news on your job prospects mate, I'm dead chuffed for you. I totally hear what your saying about London being such a lonely place and I think commuting might be the best thing if you decide to move down there. Chelmsford an surrounding area is a nice place to live, and it's very close to Stanstead for cheap air fares up and down to watch the JT's And cheers both. Tips on actual place names always good. Like I said, would have preferred to have finished Open Uni and CII exams first, but it's too good an opportunity to write off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brunstanejambo Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Regarding relocation packages, I did Edinburgh to Camberley (20m south of London) about 12 years ago and the deal I got then was - 50% increase in salary - which actually meant that I had about the same money to live on once housing costs were covered. All moving expenses paid for - solicitors, estate agents fees, movers, & storage. 6 months rent-free accomodation as I house hunted 6 years and a few steps up the career ladder later I moved back up to Edinburgh and got offerred a slightly poorer deal - 10% decrease in salary - which again actually left me with the same to live on after housing costs as Edinburgh had caught up with down South a bit by then. All moving expenses paid for again. Only 3 months rent-free accomodation when house hunting. Due to the cut in pay that I was facing to move back home I took my time accepting the offer, and let the company know why - worried about the pay cut and effect it will have on my private life. They then upped their offer to only a 5% pay cut, and gave me a one-off 'signing' bonus to help me 'adjust' in my first year. Make up your mind about moving job based on what you think is best for your career and family life - and once you have an offer on the table, be prepared to put on the old poker face if you think the initial offer is not up to much or if it will leave you worse off every month. Remember - recruitment costs companies a lot of money and once you have an initial offer, employers are very unlikely to take it off the table for the sake of an extra few grand. At the very most, they may say 'take it or leave it'; but if you have impressed them enough to get offered the job in the first place, chances are they will be willing to negotiate so that they do not have to spend more money on more recruitment. Something to beware of though - you have to put up with a lot of w*nkers down there who will stab you in the back to get themselves ahead. And you will want to kill at least 3 London/Essex wide-boys a week who will insist on referring to you as 'Sweaty' - as in sweaty sock -> Jock. T*ss pots the lot of them. The only good thing is that there will be plenty of other 'Northerners' (i.e. anyone from anywhere further up the M1 than St Albans) down there with whom you can conspire against the Southern p**fs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Cheers Brunstane. First, it's not so much the salary, know roughly what I'd get down there for the job. It's more about how much help I can reasonably negotiate to get there. By the time you throw in storage/removal costs, costs of either selling or renting out my place up here, deposit on place down south, it's an absolute bloody fortune. I've spent a few days looking into it and I'm amazed at how much it all adds up to. I spent a year in London contracting so would be going in with my eyes open. You also reassured me a little about being able to move back up here and not be worse off. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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