The question: “Are you willing to relocate?” helps recruiters assess a candidate’s adaptability and their level of interest and commitment to the job and the demands that come with it.
Questions that measure an applicant’s willingness to move locations for the job are common in companies with global operations or multiple offices across different states, cities, or regions.
Understandably, this particular interview question can be quite a tricky one, regardless of whether you are a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional in your field. That said, let’s find out how to best respond when recruiters ask questions like: “Are you willing to relocate for this position or role?”
Key Takeaways
- Recruiters usually ask the question: “Are you willing to relocate?” to evaluate a candidate’s commitment, adaptability, and readiness to meet the demands of the job.
- Whether you are ready to relocate or not, it is important to be honest with the interviewer and help them manage their expectations in case you get the job.
- Avoid answering interview questions about relocating by requesting an increased salary offer or not exhibiting any openness or consideration to the possibility of resettling for the job.
Why Employers Ask: “Are You Willing to Relocate?” at Interviews?
Employers ask the question: “Are you willing to relocate?” at interviews because they want to know or confirm beforehand whether a candidate has what it takes to meet the requirements and demands of the role they are applying for.
These requirements often include traveling, fieldwork, or working closely with different teams. In some instances, recruiters include questions about potential travel and relocation in internship interview questions because the company may have operations locally and internationally.
Recruiters and employers may also ask a similar question along the lines of: “Will you be able to reliably commute or relocate?” because their office is located in a remote or distant part of the city.
As such, employers need to know ahead of time if you can commute a long distance every single day to get to work while maintaining a good attendance record.
“Are You Willing to Relocate?”: 3 Sample Answers
There are different ways to answer the interview question, “Are you willing to relocate?” and it depends on your circumstances and readiness to travel and change your location.
To give you a better idea of how to provide an ideal answer to the said interview query, we’ve prepared a few “Are you willing to relocate?” sample answers:
#1. How to Answer if You Are Willing to Relocate
Perhaps you are used to traveling a lot, or you have lived in different cities and countries in the past.
You may even be seeking a sample “Are you willing to relocate” answer for fresh graduates because you are eager to pursue a career that pushes you outside of your comfort zone.
No matter what the reason may be, your response must exhibit not just your eagerness to move to a new place but also underscore how relocating can benefit you in achieving your career goals.
Sample answer for fresh graduates: I’m truly ecstatic about the possibility of traveling and working in a new place that’s tied to this role. I may be a fresh graduate, but I believe this is an advantage because I am more open to embracing new challenges, taking risks, and exploring how far I can go—both literally and figuratively—to develop my skills and expand my knowledge.
Sample answer for applicants used to traveling: To be honest, traveling and living in a new country or city is not new to me. Having visited numerous places in the past, I’m happy to say that I’ve immersed myself in different cultures and ways of life. As such, I can easily adapt and manage my expectations when asked to relocate for the role.
#2. How to Answer if You Are Unsure if You Want to Relocate
In truth, employers don’t expect every single applicant to answer with a strong and resounding ‘Yes’ when asked: “Are you willing to relocate or travel?”. After all, changing your location for a job also means sacrificing certain important aspects of your life, such as your family, relationships, and your regular routine.
It is safe to say that being tentative about moving for a job isn’t always considered an immediate deal-breaker, especially if the recruiter is also considering other strengths and weaknesses that you possess that may be instrumental in successfully fulfilling the role.
You can say that you are open to traveling and settling in a new place but voice out your worries and apprehensions about adjusting and working somewhere far from where you live.
Sample answer: I have to admit that I am happy with where I am currently living. At the same time, I am not closing my doors to the possibility of relocating for the right career opportunity. If required, I would gladly consider moving to a new city or place.
#3. How to Answer if You Do Not Want to Relocate
At times, the question: “Are you willing to relocate?” may be presented by the recruiter when you are completely unprepared to process and think about the inquiry more thoroughly.
It is okay to decline the possibility or requirement of relocating for a job as long as you clarify that you are not closing your doors completely to the idea. Recruiters should know that not everyone will readily rebuild their life in a new city or country at the drop of a hat.
Sample answer: Relocating for a job opportunity certainly has its advantages for my career and personal growth. But since I recently welcomed a new bundle of joy into my life, I’m quite content with where I am currently situated. That said, I am more inclined to pursue work that’s closer to where I live or one that offers a remote work setup.
4 Ways to Prepare & Answer the “Are You Willing to Relocate?” Interview Question
The key to preparing and answering the “Are you willing to relocate?” interview question is to assess your current situation and weigh the pros and cons of moving to a new place for a job.
You can use the following tips as your guide:
#1. Decide if Relocation Works for You
Relocating comes with various expenses that may leave a dent in your wallet if you are not financially prepared to resettle in a new country or city.
That said, you should not commit the common interview mistake of not requesting more information about the opportunity. Take some time to research the location where you are required to move before responding with a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Try to gauge whether the company will readily provide relocation assistance should you agree to move. The company or agency may not immediately provide assistance or incentives if you agree to relocate.
For instance, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has specific instructions on which positions are covered and excluded from their relocation benefits. They also base the incentives on whether the employee has successfully met the agency’s official performance appraisal criteria.
You must check the average monthly expenses in the area and compare the amount with your regular living costs in your current place of residence.
You can also review the housing arrangements, frequently used modes of transportation, and the distance of your would-be office from residential and commercial spaces.
#2. Assess the Question Objectively
Give yourself enough time to see the bigger picture and think about how moving to a new place will affect your life.
Interview questions that have to do with relocating can be considered tricky interview questions that recruiters may ask if they feel that a candidate possesses the potential to fill the position.
Let’s say you are applying for an executive or supervisor-level position, and your previous work experiences show that you possess a plethora of leadership competencies, such as impeccable team management and decision-making skills.
With your level of expertise, recruiters may be prompted to probe further into your capability to step outside of your comfort zone and fulfill jobs with high expectations.
It would also be helpful to arm yourself with tips on how to cope and thrive while working abroad or in a different city. In this manner, you can manage your expectations of the job demands better and have a clearer idea of the kind of lifestyle that awaits you after relocating.
Indeed, it can be exciting to explore a new country or city while embarking on a new milestone in your career. However, you also have to be realistic when it comes to admitting the amount of expectations and challenges that you can handle.
#3. Show Enthusiasm
Whether you are ready to relocate or not, exuding enthusiasm and openness to the possibility of pursuing your career in a different location leaves a good impression on the interviewer.
When you think and feel positive about a work opportunity, it implies that you have the passion and drive to overcome obstacles and be successful in your chosen field.
The said traits are also synonymous with dependability and resourcefulness—two of the top traits that recruiters often look for in highly qualified applicants.
#4. Practice Your Answer
Practice makes perfect. If needed, rehearse your responses in front of the mirror and try the sample scenarios we’ve described in this article.
Better yet, have a friend, mentor, or career counselor arrange a mock interview session with you. It would be even more helpful if you used variations of the said interview query, such as “Why do you want to relocate?” or “What would make you open to relocating for a job?”.
The goal is to make you feel more confident and more insightful when answering the “Are you willing to relocate?” interview question.
What Not to Say When Asked “Are You Willing to Relocate?” at an Interview
When asked whether you are willing to relocate, you shouldn’t say:
- I am willing to relocate for a higher salary offer.
- Yes, I’d be happy to move to a different city or country for the job if the company agreed to cover my housing expenses.
- No, I am not willing to relocate for the job because I do not see a need to change my location to advance my career.
The sample answers above are highly discouraged because they exhibit unprofessionalism and a lack of initiative and receptiveness to accept the possible challenges that come with the role or job.
Final Thoughts
Relocating for a job is certainly not a suitable transition or an easy choice for everyone. For some, moving to a new place for work means starting from scratch, stepping outside of their comfort zone, or overcoming their biggest fear.
That is why the best way to respond to the “Are you willing to relocate?” interview question is with careful consideration of what relocating means for your life and your career.
Be honest, receptive and open, and remember that your readiness to relocate for a job is just one of the many factors that recruiters consider when assessing whether you’re the right fit for the role.
