Courtesy / Meg Handlin
Meg Handlin
Updated: January 27, 2023
How to attract top talent with concierge relocation benefits
By Meg Handlin, Maine Career Connect
Attracting new talent, particularly from outside of Maine, is a balancing act that requires focus and precision. It also takes teamwork to effectively communicate the opportunities and benefits of the position, company and location.
Even with the assistance of skilled human resource and talent acquisition professionals, employers looking to close enticing employment offers can face added obstacles when relocation is required. Understandably, relocating can be a stress-inducing event. There are so many moving parts. When you factor in partner’s and family members’ needs, this undertaking can deter sought-after candidates from saying “yes”.
To address this pinch point, many employers are retaining Concierge Relocation Services that go well beyond physically moving household goods from one place to another. In Maine, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce offers a concierge relocation program — Maine Career Connect — to provide a more personalized career relocation experience, with an actual boots-on-the-ground person who guides new hires and their partner/spouse and family into their new life.
In many ways the concierge relocation partner is like a personal project manager for corporate moves. They lighten the transition load by providing an extensive network of local connectors to help new hires with moving assistance, vetted resources, dual career support and social integration.
Moving assistance
While many employers provide relocation allowances or a moving company, they don’t typically provide a local support person to help find the right home or apartment that meets budget and need-to-have criteria. Because there isn’t a one-stop shop for housing in Maine, new hires can be overwhelmed by the vast networks of independent realtors, property owners and property management companies.
Even with the aid of online apartment-find platforms and advertisements, it’s still very difficult to evaluate an area without visiting it. Given current housing market trends affecting both rentals and home sales) — with limited inventory and increased prices — transferring deposits on an unseen property is especially risky. Clients are reassured when a concierge relocation partner visits a prospective home to ensure property and amenities are as promoted.
Vetted resources
Once housing is secured, the next step is to ready the new place for move in. The concierge relocation partner will provide an in-depth moving guide filled with recommended sources for healthcare, banking, utilities, public transportation, and all the other need-to-know details (i.e. how to register car, get drivers license, etc.). As a connector, the concierge relocation partner knows what’s happening around town and around the region and has a wealth of information and resources readily available.
Social integration
A new community means new people and new opportunities. A concierge relocation partner facilitates introductions to locals who share interests and will point clients to events and entertainment, hobby and sports clubs, outdoor activities, and volunteer opportunities. Invitations to social events or informal coffee chats help to ease the transition and foster meaningful interactions with peers.
Dual career support
What about the needs of a partner or spouse? Will they want assistance in finding a new job or a professional network? A concierge relocation partner can help develop a personalized action plan that includes one-on-one support to identify professional networking opportunities, strategic informational interviews and can be a plus-one at in-person business events to initiate connections.
As a concierge-level service, Maine Career Connect recognizes that every client has unique needs and priorities. A single person may benefit more from the moving assistance and social integration components, while a family of four may be more focused on finding the best schools, family activities and cultural attractions. And employers who can offer prospective employees this level of personalized support, not only sets themselves apart during the negotiation process, but also engenders a sense of loyalty for new hires that can lead to higher retention rates.
At the end of the day, an all-around positive relocation experience and community connection can pave the way for long lasting, mutually beneficial outcomes for both the employee and employer.
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