LinkedIn is one of the world’s largest professional networking platforms, with over 800 million members globally. As a leading career-oriented social media site, LinkedIn aims to connect professionals with new job opportunities that align with their skills, experience and interests.
With so many members and companies using LinkedIn to recruit talent, it’s common for candidates to consider relocating for a new position found through the platform. This raises an important question – does LinkedIn offer any relocation assistance to members who land jobs in new cities or countries?
What is Relocation Assistance?
Relocation assistance refers to financial and logistical support provided by an employer to help an employee move locations for a new job opportunity. Typical relocation assistance includes:
- Moving costs – Funds to pack, transport and unload household goods
- Temporary housing – Short-term accommodations like a hotel or furnished rental
- Home finding trips – Paid trips to search for permanent housing in the new location
- Home sale support – Services to help sell the current home, such as listings fees or real estate agents
- Home purchase support – Help with identifying, viewing and financing a new property
- Visa/immigration assistance – Guidance on obtaining proper documentation to work abroad
Relocation assistance makes it easier for employees to uproot their lives and transition to a new area when changing jobs. It’s a valuable benefit that removes much of the financial stress and logistical planning normally required for long-distance moves.
Does LinkedIn Itself Offer Relocation Assistance?
As a networking platform, LinkedIn does not directly hire candidates for roles at other companies, so it does not provide relocation assistance. LinkedIn is not the employer offering a new job – it simply facilitates connections between professionals and organizations doing the hiring.
However, some important points about relocation and LinkedIn include:
- Companies advertising open positions on LinkedIn may offer relocation packages to candidates.
- LinkedIn members can find and apply for opportunities located anywhere in the world.
- The LinkedIn platform makes it easier for users to connect with professionals and organizations in other geographic areas.
So while LinkedIn does not directly give relocation assistance, the site opens up more possibilities for relocating and enables you to find employers that do provide these benefits.
Do LinkedIn’s Internal Relocation Policies Apply to Members?
No, relocation assistance programs offered internally by LinkedIn to their own employees do not extend to general LinkedIn members. These policies only apply to current staff members relocating for new positions or transfers within the parent company.
As a large global corporation, LinkedIn likely provides typical relocation support like moving stipends, temporary lodging, and immigration assistance to help employees change office locations smoothly. But this is an internal employee benefit – not something offered to the hundreds of millions of members signed up to use the LinkedIn platform.
How to Get Relocation Assistance Through LinkedIn
While LinkedIn doesn’t directly provide relocation packages, members can still potentially receive assistance by:
- Searching for and applying to openings clearly advertising relocation benefits
- Asking about relocation policies during interviews and negotiations
- Considering opportunities that allow remote work or telecommuting
- Discussing needs with recruiters and hiring managers to learn what aid may be offered
- Researching the hiring company’s typical relocation support on sites like Glassdoor
With the expansive reach of LinkedIn’s network, you can use the platform to open doors that ultimately lead to obtaining employer-provided relocation assistance elsewhere.
What Types of Roles Commonly Offer Relocation Support?
Certain professional fields and seniority levels tend to have a higher likelihood of relocation assistance compared to entry-level or local roles. Some examples include:
- Tech industry jobs – Engineers, developers, programmers
- Executive and leadership positions – C-suite, directors, vice presidents
- Specialized experts – Scientists, medical professionals, professors
- Skilled trades workers – Electricians, construction, oil/gas/mining
- Finance and consulting roles – Investment bankers, analysts, managers
- Major corporations – Large companies with offices globally
Candidates with in-demand qualifications that are harder to find tend to have more leverage to negotiate relocation assistance. Entry-level and low skill roles generally don’t offer these benefits.
Typical Relocation Packages by Industry
| Industry | Typical Allowance |
|---|---|
| Technology | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Engineering | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Finance | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Consulting | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Factors Impacting Relocation Offer Amounts
Several elements influence how much relocation money an employer may provide. Key factors include:
- Job level – More senior roles receive higher amounts
- Talent need – High demand skills get better packages
- Moving distance – International relocations get more support
- Company size – Bigger budgets from major corporations
- Current location – Popular metro areas may see smaller amounts
- Family size – Married or families get additional aid
Understanding these components can help you evaluate if a prospective employer’s relocation offer seems fair and competitive.
Negotiating Relocation Assistance
Once you’ve received a job offer, follow these tips to negotiate the best relocation package possible:
- Ask detailed questions on the employer’s standard policy
- Calculate reasonable expenses for your situation
- Highlight your skills and value to the organization
- Politely request additional support if needed
- Provide competitive data from industry peers
- Avoid ultimatums or aggressive tones
With preparation and an understanding of typical practices, you can often increase relocation assistance during final offer discussions. Just remember to keep the conversation positive and focused on win-win solutions.
Alternatives if Relocation Help is Not Provided
If your new position does not come with an employer-paid relocation package, some options to explore include:
- Ask about a salary advance or signing bonus to cover costs
- See if remote work is possible for a period to delay relocating
- Determine if any relocation costs are tax deductible
- Research affordable temporary housing choices
- Look into do-it-yourself moving options to save money
- Consider negotiating other perks like more PTO or flexible hours
With creative problem-solving, you can find ways to make a job opportunity work even without formal relocation assistance.
Tax Implications of Relocation Packages
One important caveat is that many forms of employer-provided moving support are considered taxable income in the U.S. Some key tax rules include:
- Direct moving expense reimbursements are not taxed
- Lump sum payments are treated as regular income
- Temporary housing stipends are taxable
- Loss-on-sale for home transactions are deductible
- Make sure to save documentation like receipts
Consult a tax professional to understand the potential impacts to your unique situation. Plan ahead to avoid surprise tax bills on relocation assistance.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn itself does not provide relocation packages
- However, employers advertising roles on LinkedIn may offer assistance
- Focus job search on positions likely to have relocation aid
- Negotiate support as part of the offer process
- Understand tax implications of any moving benefits
With LinkedIn’s help, you can expand possibilities and land exciting new career opportunities complete with generous relocation assistance.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn is an invaluable platform for discovering and applying to job openings that could require relocating. While LinkedIn does not directly offer relocation packages, many employers advertising positions on the site provide excellent support like moving expenses, temporary housing, and home sale assistance to help candidates transition to new locations smoothly.
By focusing your search on roles and companies that frequently include these coveted benefits, negotiating skillfully, and planning ahead for taxes, you can absolutely land fantastic relocation deals through LinkedIn’s vast network of opportunities. With some preparation and strategic hunting, you’ll be on your way to an exciting new adventure in no time.
