What you should consider before asking for a job relocation

By John Kariuki

When you are looking for a transfer, human reources experts advise that you should look for specific reasons for the transfer and ensure that they make sense.

Up until the Dot.com era, it was a certified psychological mark of a personality disorder if an employee switched job stations more than every two years.

But the IT Industry has made it normal for employees to transfer frequently to remain fresh and to bring new blood into information-based companies.

But it is still prudent not to ask for transfers too often. You cannot job hop too frequently, because your current or potential new boss will think that you are unstable and unproductive. Think carefully about transfers to ensure they match your long-term personal and employment goals.

Write a formal transfer request and justify your reasons for it.

Highlight your abilities, accomplishments, grade and work experience.

Complement your employer and your boss as being first-rate. Writeabout your commitment to your employer and state specifically where you want to transfered.

Reasons For A Job Transfer

If this feel that your job is not challenging enough , request to go to a more challenging branch or division. Attach any evidence that demonstrates your initiative and willingness to take additional duties and responsibilities in your letter.

If you have problems at work, use formal channels to resolve them before requesting for a transfer. This way, you can prevent the problem from recurring in your new posting. However, if the problem is sexual harassment, a transfer is often the prescribed official remedy.

If you problems arise from personal family matters, it can be both a blessing and a curse. Many employers will work out transfers to accommodate you getting closer to your spouse or family.

However, scores of employees seek transfers to run away from marital problems.

If you are a boss or a supervisor, use your people skills to find out the real reason especially for sudden transfer requests and counsel your employees on the best way of solving the underlying problem.

Some people may have legitimate health reasons for requesting a transfer.

Some people need warmer while others need cooler climates. Staying in a region that harms your health will cost your employer a lot of money in reduced productivity as well as pangs of conscience.

Some people will transfer to a place where an institution of higher learning they want to attend is located.

But before you give this as a reason, explore whether or not there are branch campuses in the town where you work. Many Universities nowadays offer distant learning modules and your employer may even reimburse and promote you once you complete studies.

If this is not possible, a transfer becomes the next best option.