Is now the right time for a career sea change?

Is now the right time for a career sea change?

Uprooting your life, changing jobs and moving to a new area are all big decisions. “Think about where your life is headed for the next 5-years,” suggests recruitment consultant Suzi Johnson who has assisted several WHS professionals relocate for work. “You don’t want to have to pull the kids out of high school if things don’t work out, or have to leave half-way through an assignment to have to look after an ageing parent.”

Carefully weigh up the pros and cons. Be clear about what you hope to achieve by moving. Some hope to escape the rat race, others seek a beautiful location to live or a better quality of life.

The career benefits of a sea change

Moving away from crowded urban areas may broaden opportunities. “Typically, rural areas have a smaller pool of experienced candidates,” says Suzi Johnson. “With less competition, you can more easily stand out from the crowd and might be able to aim for a ‘step-up’ opportunity that wouldn’t be available to you elsewhere,” she adds.

Many of the safety professionals The Safe Step has helped relocate report more prospects to expand knowledge and skillsets, alongside opportunities to create a larger network of SMEs within industry sectors. “The Safe Step team provided me with excellent support during the [relocation] process. They guided me through the transition and were always available to address any concerns or questions I had," says Dwayne, a Regional Safety Advisor who The Safe Step placed when he relocated from Kalgoorlie to Esperance.

Not all sea or tree-changers seek more responsibilities or better pay. Often the reward of a rural lifestyle is a better work/life balance. “Less traffic, affordable housing and easy-access to nature often appeal,” says Johnson.

Before making a move

From sun-soaked beaches, to bush oasis and friendly country towns, Australia offers beauty rich and rare. The tricky part might be narrowing-down where you want to move to. Consider what sort of environment might suit you best. Climate, geography and outdoor activities are often big drawcards for a seachange or treechange.

As well as thinking about employment opportunities it’s important to consider the availability of amenities and local infrastructure. Will you have access to healthcare, childcare, education, transport and shops, for example? Cost-wise be aware that some regional areas are experiencing housing shortages and a second car might be required.

Scouting potential locations is highly recommended by those who have previous experience with a safety career sea change. “If a relocation opportunity ever presented again, If I could, I would visit the proposed location with my family and talk to as many locals as possible to gain a sound understanding as to what the location has to offer,” said Renee, a Safety Manager who relocated to Rockhampton.

The importance of working with a recruiter

There are some amazing opportunities available in regional areas, but they are not always easy to find. This is where a specialist WHS recruiter can help. “The wider your search area, the trickier your job search becomes,” says Suzi Johnson.

A recruiter may be able to help your career relocation in several ways including:

• Pinpointing suitable industries and locations to target for employment opportunities
• Floating you to major employers based in regional areas
• Benchmarking appropriate salaries for the region
• Educating employers about necessary relocation costs
• Working with you to position yourself for a step-up role

Negotiating relocation costs will be an important part of any move. “You used to be able to relocate a family for far less than it costs now and you need to give real thought to your personal situation to cover for an intrastate or international move. With higher costs of living it can be substantially more than you or your future employer have considered. This is something I often have to educate clients about when they are seeking talent to move for a job,” explains Johnson.

With offices in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, The Safe Step has extensive networks stretching across the country and you will have the choice of joining a diverse range of clients that fit your values and desired workplace culture from multinationals, Australian owned, councils, NFP, locally owned business.

“The Safe Step is not just a recruitment agency, it is an agency with a holistic approach to all their clients’ needs throughout a stressful process that includes relocation,” says Clare, a WHS Manager who moved from Cairns to Perth. “I felt that all my wants and needs were listened to for a new role in WA… and Suzi’s knowledge of the roles and hiring teams was a huge bonus.”

After relocating

A successful relocation is about more than just the move. Start by exploring your new surroundings, embracing local culture, and engaging in community activities to expand your social circle. Maintaining ties with friends and family from your previous home is crucial. Your Safe Step also forms a part of your support network as Renee attests, “Suzi has been amazing. Throughout the relocation process, she often checked in on my family and me, showing genuine care. I am immensely grateful for her ongoing support.”

To establish yourself professionally, prioritise building relationships within your team and throughout the broader business. Seek out local associations, attend networking events, and explore regional business hubs. Online forums and platforms like LinkedIn provide valuable connections, and your Safe Step recruiter can help you tap into a national network of safety professionals. Suzi Johnson notes,

"The Safe Step excels at connecting individuals in the WHS profession. We also host webinars, networking events, and other professional development opportunities.”

Above all, remember that patience is key during this adjustment period. Adapting to a new workplace and locality often requires time.

Your new lifestyle awaits!

By carefully considering your goals, assessing the potential benefits, and working with a reliable recruiter, you can make an informed decision and dive into a career seachange. Where would that be? What are you waiting for?

The Safe Step has placed WHS professionals in city centres and regional locations such as:

• QLD                 Biloela, Cairns, Dirranbandi, Emerald, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Townsville.
• WA                  Albany, Broome, Carnarvon, Dampier, Esperance, Kununurra.
• NSW                Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Hunter Valley, Orange, Parkes, Tamworth, Wollongong.
• VIC                  Ballarat, Bendigo, Falls Creek.