Relocation: Are You in a Tough-to-Fill Area? Tips to Attract Top Talent

It’s no secret that location can be one of the biggest hurdles in hiring. Whether you're based in a remote suburb, a high-cost metro, or a less well-known town, attracting qualified candidates willing to relocate can feel like an uphill battle, especially post-COVID when many professionals now expect remote flexibility. So, how can companies in “tough-to-fill” areas stay competitive?

Here are some tips and tricks to make relocation work for you, not against you:

🔑 1. Sell the Story, Not Just the Job

If your location isn’t doing the heavy lifting, the narrative needs to.

• What makes your company culture magnetic?
• Are you in a growth phase with exciting career path potential?
• Do you offer stability in an uncertain market?

Package the why behind the opportunity. Paint a picture that goes beyond a job description.

💸 2. Offer Smart, Flexible Relocation Support

It’s not always about a big dollar amount, clarity and flexibility go a long way.

• Consider tiered relocation support based on distance.
• Offer help with extended onboarding timelines.
• If full relocation isn’t feasible, consider commuter models or hybrid “fly in a few times a month” setups to ease the transition.

🌍 3. Being Transparent About Lifestyle

Don’t shy away from the reality of your location, lean into the positives.

• Lower cost of living
• Shorter commutes
• Great schools

You’re not just recruiting for a job, you’re recruiting for a life. Candidates (and their families) want to visualize what life looks like there.

🧲 4. Target Candidates with a Connection

Some candidates are more likely to relocate:

• Those with family nearby
• Alumni of nearby schools
• Candidates originally from the area who might want to “boomerang” back
• People currently commuting or working remotely but open to change

A little digging can go a long way in outreach.

🤝 5. Work With a Partner Who Knows How to Sell It

This is where we come in. We specialize in filling hard-to-fill roles in hard-to-sell locations. We know how to find and connect with people who are open to the right move, when it's presented the right way.

Whether you’re hiring in the middle of a city or the middle of nowhere, the right strategy makes all the difference.

Struggling with a critical role in a tough location? Let’s talk about how we can help. We consistently deliver qualified, vetted candidates, relocation-ready and aligned with your team.

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