GKR London was founded by Grant Kaveney in 2010 to provide recruitment services to the residential property market. Now, we are a team of twenty consultants offering solutions to residential estate agents, new homes, commercial properties, project managers, surveyors, property managers and all types of support roles such as PA’s, Marketing, Accounts etc. We have helped many candidates relocate to new cities in the UK, and we have also sourced opportunities for candidates looking to move from the UK, abroad. Destinations including South Africa, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Ireland & Croatia. To start with though, we've answered some of the common questions from candidates seeking a fresh start in a new city.
Whilst applying for positions in a new city, should I include my current address on my CV?
Our instinct reaction to this question is no. We know that many recruiters, hiring managers and employers within the industry would see an address outside of their location as a possible red flag and decide not to progress your application. Before they have the chance to speak with you, if it is not clearly outlined in your CV, they may not even realise that you are looking to move to the local area. Furthermore, without having secured somewhere to live in a new city, how can they be sure that you are committed to moving and not just toying with the idea? We know from first-hand experience that job searching in a new country or area is certainly possible before relocating if you fully invest yourself. We have worked with candidates from Ireland, Manchester, Bournemouth and even further afield such as Australia and Dubai, all of whom have fully invested themselves to us and our clients.
Are there any advantages to employers hiring experience from outside of the area?
Yes. We cannot speak for all sectors here but particularly in property, we would highlight a few things that candidates may not realise are advantages which candidates can use as selling points. Coming into a new market might seem incredibly daunting and you will need to put the efforts in to grasp any new market confidently, however many employers will enjoy teaching you a new market “their way”. Without having any pre-conceived ideas or experiences about how work might be executed in your city of choice, your new employer will be in the best position to engage you with their business practices, becoming an advocate for the brand. Another thing to consider is your value without knowing the market already. If you are competing against candidates with lots of market experience but require a bigger pay check, ask yourself, can you accept a lower salary during training? Often, employers will preferably choose to invest in your development if you are.
Are there any disadvantages that I need to consider?
It can be easy to be greedy when you relocate, especially if you are relocating somewhere with higher living costs to what you have been used to. Demanding too much too soon may suggest the wrong motivations towards the move; your employer will want to know you are invested in them specifically, rather than invested in the pay rise you are looking for or the illusion of city life which may not last long-term. Especially whilst they invest into your training and development. We appreciate that different cities can offer you an increase on your earning potential, but it is important that you are realistic from the get-go around what an affordable salary could be, what a starting salary could be, and what milestones you can work towards during your first year to prove your worth, earning your pay-rise.
How can I prove my commitment to the move?
As mentioned above, you need to fully invest yourself to the job search. If you are moving from other parts of the UK, do you have funds and time to organise travelling to the city to conduct interviews? If you are living abroad, can you equip yourself with the resources to conduct Skype or Facetime interviews? Finally, put a time-frame on it and again, be realistic. If needs be, speak to some recruitment consultants to get some advice around how much time you can anticipate job searching and work backwards from there. Anyone that is helping you with the search and relocation will appreciate a deadline.
Should I submit applications with a covering letter about relocating?
Yes. Or better still, follow up your application with a phone call! We can’t guarantee you will always be given the opportunity to discuss with someone on the phone though, so a cover letter is a bulletproof way to convey your motivations and put any red flags at ease. Take your time to write a compelling cover letter and make sure you are tailoring it to each opportunity you are interested in. Cover letters can be really effective, but not if they are in any way, shape or form - generic.
If you work in property and you are looking to relocate, get in touch with us today! It can be difficult to know where to start but if you are prepared to fully invest yourself, GKR London would be happy to help you from start to finish.
