Welcoming recent college graduates to your team is a great way to bring in fresh energy, ideas and talent. For many of these grads, this is likely their first full-time job and potentially their first time relocating. Offering additional support as they navigate this move and the beginning of their career can go a long way in helping them feel welcome and ready to go on their first day.
Are you planning relocations for new graduates? Here’s how you can develop a comprehensive graduation relocation programthat helps them through the transition.
Getting to know a new town is one of the most daunting (and exciting!) parts of a big move. This can necessitate a lot of research to learn more about the best places to live, neighborhood cultures and more. Recent graduates may not know how to find this information – or even what information they should be searching for. Even if they moved for college, schools have built-in support and community for incoming students that don’t typically exist in a post-grad world.
Providing relocating grads with information about their new city empowers them to make informed decisions and shows they’re joining a welcoming team that wants to support them.
This can include information about:
Many recent grads are also first-time renters, which means they might not fully understand the costs associated with moving or how the rental process works. The best way to support them when moving after graduation is to offer tools and resources that cover leases, deposits, and application fees. Fully understanding the costs associated with renting a new place will help them financially prepare for the transition.
Recent graduates will also need to decide whether to live with roommates or live in a studio. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons will help them decide which option is best for their needs and budget.
Another way to support recent graduates through their move is to connect them with local realtors or apartment locators. These professionals can share valuable information about their new city and navigate the home search with ease, ensuring they find a safe and comfortable living situation that doesn’t add to the stress of moving and starting a new job.
Investing in a quality graduate relocation program is another great way to ensure employees, whether they’re recent grads or have been with the company for a decade, have support through the entire moving process. Recent grads in particular likely don’t have the money they need to hire movers on their own, so alleviate that burden with financial support.
Your existing employees can be a great resource for newcomers! Consider assigning a mentor or peer group from their new team to help your relocating grad navigate the position, learn more about the organization and get plugged into their new city. This built-in support system can help with first-day jitters by ensuring they already know one person outside of the hiring team before they start. Not only can a buddy policy like this help recent grads, but it can also benefit all new hires by establishing a welcoming and supportive company culture from the start.
Relocating for a first job is an exciting yet stressful experience for recent graduates. As they navigate the changes, you'll want to help them through the process by setting expectations and thoroughly communicating the benefits available with the relocation package. You'll want to offer hands-on support and schedule regular meetings, so they feel comfortable addressing concerns or asking questions about the process. The more transparent you are about the financial support and resources available, the easier the transition will be.
With 95 years of experience, Allied has helped countless recent college graduates relocate to start the next phase of their lives. Allied Corporate Express©️ is designed specifically for small corporate relocations for recent graduates relocating for a first job. With Corporate Express©️, your HR team and moving employees alike can rest assured that every relocation will be simple, seamless and stress-free. Our national network of over 400 agents means each relocation is supported by quality movers from the community who can offer unique local insights. Learn more.
Are you offering graduate employee relocation services for new hires? Explore our frequently asked questions about creating effective programs for recent grads.
Graduate relocation support is typically lower value, and doesn't have as many built-in resources as standard employee relocations. That means you don't need to budget for resources such as job search support, home-buying assistance, or child care aid.
A graduate relocation program should include financial assistance for logistical support and moving services. Depending on the situation, you may also want to offer a stipend for temporary housing.
Prioritizing transparent communication through the process will make the experience less stressful for individuals relocating after graduation.
The duration of the relocation support will vary depending on the move and the resources offered. Typically, support ends once the graduate relocates and finds a place to live. However, you may want to provide other internal resources, such as mentorships or a peer group, to help them acclimate to their new community.
Why invest in graduate relocation support instead of leaving it to the employee?
Offering graduate employee relocation services can make a job offer more appealing, helping you attract top talent. It can also help improve employee satisfaction and boost employee retention.
