Two weeks.
You sit up groggily in bed. You’re tired; you couldn’t sleep for thinking about the fact you're moving to another country.
Two weeks. Your company is sending you to work abroad in just two weeks. It doesn’t seem like enough time.
But when you speak to your Crown Consultant, they’re surprisingly confident.
“Don’t worry,” they tell you. “We can do it.”
“Where do I even start?” you ask.
They give you a list of things to prioritise, including your paperwork.
“Now,” your Crown Consultant says. “We should talk about what you’re moving.”
“I have no idea,” you admit, looking around your home. You seem to own a lot more stuff than you remember. How will you get all this sorted in two weeks?
Your consultant reassures you, “We’ve moved a lot more in a lot less time. Let’s get you booked in for a survey.”
Turns out that Crown do a virtual survey of your possessions so they can provide an accurate quote right upfront. “So you don’t need to give your employer an estimate that might change; the figure we give you is the amount we’ll charge.”
“Brilliant,” you say. The less you have to deal with Sam in accounts, the better. They’ve always scared you a little.
Your consultant gets your survey booked for a few days time. “That will give you time to decide what you want to take.”
“Okay.” But you’re not so sure. There’s a lot of stuff to get through.
Your consultant hears your uncertainty.
“Figure out what you’ll actually use or need while you’re away,” they tell you. “Leave the furniture; it often costs more to move than just buy new things when you arrive. Sell or give away anything else. Or leave it with family or friends.”
“What if I can’t ask friends or family to look after my stuff?” You don’t want to sell it, and a quick sale means you won’t get what it’s worth.
“We can pop it into storage instead,” your consultant replies. “We’ve got ultra-secure, environment-controlled facilities that will keep your things in perfect conditions for as long as you need us to. No problem.”
“Is that expensive?” you ask.
“Depends if you’re looking to store a few books or the lost library of Alexandria.”
“Somewhere inbetween,” you smile. This conversation is much easier than you’d expected. You thought they’d be trying to sell you on upgrades and add-ons at every turn. But they’re just trying to help.
“And don’t worry about packing everything up,” they say. “You’ve got enough to do before you go without finding time to do that. With our packing service, we pack it all for you. And they do it to international standards, so you know it will be safe.”
Brilliant. That’s one less thing to worry about.
“Now, let’s talk about the other end.”
“When I arrive?” Surely Crown Relocations just drop off your things and that’s it?
“Exactly. You’re thinking about the time before your move, but you need to think about the time afterwards too. You’ll be trying to get settled into a new job and a new home. There’ll be a lot to do.”
“Right. Of course.”
“Separate the things you absolutely need when you arrive. Paperwork and documentation, medicines, pet food if you have one, some clothes. Whatever you can’t live without. Put them in your own bags. That way you won’t waste time trying to figure out how to survive without a laptop charger if your possessions are delayed.”
“Delayed?”
“It happens. There are a lot of variables to an international move. Rough seas, bad weather, mechanical failures, that sort of thing. So let’s make sure you don’t lose time if we encounter a delay.”
Good tip. “Okay. Thanks.”
“No problem. Now, we’ve got local teams all over the world, so there’ll be one to help you get settled in. So instead of trying to figure out how to arrange a lease or sort out an Internet connection, you can get on with starting your new life, meeting your new team, and getting on with your job. They can handle anything you need, so it’s worth asking them for help.”
“Wow. Okay.”
“See if your employer will pay for it. It makes sense for them; you’ll be able to start work quicker and you won’t be distracted by all the little jobs of settling in to a new country. And it lifts a lot of stress and worry off your shoulders.”
You make a note to ask Simon if he’ll cover that. If not, it sounds like something you’d be willing to pay for yourself. The last thing you need is hassle when you’re trying to get started in the new office.
“I’ll think about it,” you say, and then your stomach growls so loudly that your consultant hears it.
“Get some breakfast,” they say. “I’ve sent you our guide to a smart move. That will save you a lot of time. I’ll give you a call in a couple of days about your survey, but you can call me any time if you have questions.”
“Thanks,” you say, and you mean it. The idea of packing up your life in two weeks seems much more doable now. “I appreciate your help.”
“No problem. That’s what I’m here for.”
You receive your consultant’s email while you eat your breakfast.
There’s some good advice in there, including an FAQ for people moving abroad for work that answers some questions you didn’t even know you had.
Two weeks. You can do this.
If you're interested in reading more, check out our most frequently asked questions when moving abroad for work!