As today’s top story notes, government is nationwide and so are government jobs. This means that not all positions working for state or federal agencies are in locations that most would find ideal. If they were, large cities would be even more overcrowded, DC traffic would be in constant gridlock, and everyone else would be crammed onto the west coast. But because state governments need local workers and because federal agencies are not all headquartered in DC, public servants are more spread out, sometimes in rather remote locations, depending upon who they work for. Going beyond the obvious “there’s a lid for every pot” notion, how can hiring managers of remotely located agencies draw candidates to apply for and accept positions where there is less excitement and action around?
Depending upon the position, offering part or full time telework opportunities is one way to remove some of the fear of relocation. Many agencies are cutting overhead costs by enabling workers to telework several days a week or even altogether. Not having to pick up and move an entire household would certainly make working for a far-away organization more appealing. Another option is to offer a long term plan to get the individual back to their ideal location. Working for a certain amount of time in a less ideal location with the idea that one will get back to their chosen city eventually and still maintain their tenure at the same agency has much more appeal than being shipped off to the middle of nowhere, never to be seen or heard from again. Setting candidates on a specific career path also increases the likelihood that they will remain with the organization longer. Finally, age is a factor in determining how and where to draw candidates to certain areas. Younger individuals are more likely to be drawn to larger, more metropolis areas, while more individuals more established in their careers are less likely to want to be in a heavily populated, overly crowded location. When recruiting candidates for any position, it is important to factor in their personal wants and needs, not just the skill requirements of the job.
Would you move to a more remote location for the right position?
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