Companies compelled to seek out-of-towners.

• Position: Employment

The percentage of job seekers moving for new employment increased slightly in the first half of 2016, indicates data released by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., Chicago, Ill. The rise in relocation may be an indication that worsening labor shortages in certain regions are forcing employers to find out-of-town candidates.

"The number of metropolitan areas experiencing labor shortages is growing. As it does, employers in these areas will have to seek candidates from beyond the borders of the local talent pool. Job seekers who are willing to pull up stakes and relocate for new opportunities are finding welcoming arms," says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer.

The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that there are 108 metropolitan areas with unemployment rates below four percent, including such major cities as San Francisco, Calif.; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Boston, Mass.; and Cleveland, Ohio. "When the unemployment rate gets in the three- to four-percent range, it becomes extremely difficult to find any available workers, let alone ones with the particular experience and skill set required for unfilled job openings. So, employers have to cast a wider net."

However, simply seeking candidates from other cities and towns is not enough. Most people do not want to go through the hassle of relocating. Companies will have to offer a bigger carrot to entice candidates. The 2016 Atlas Van Lines Corporate Relocation Survey found that 89% of employers offer some type of relocation reimbursement to new hires. Some 36% of respondents indicate that they...