Top 5 Places to Move for Healthcare Jobs

I remember my grandpa always telling me, “If you want to know for sure you’ll have a job when you get out of school, do something in the health field or be a teacher.”  I think he may have been on to something.  While I didn’t follow his advice — I can’t handle hospitals and I’m a writer, not a teacher — I have several college friends who did, and finding a job has been anything but a problem for them.  This is especially true in the medical field.  You can read report after report exclaiming that healthcare workers are in high demand across the nation.  If you’re in college, trying to figure out what to do with your life, or you’re looking for a new career, healthcare is an excellent plan right now. 

This Highest Concentration of Healthcare Jobs by State infographic, just released in the MoveBuilder Press Room, shows the top five states for healthcare jobs, along with the average pay you can expect there. Definitely worth checking out.  

Have you moved for a job in healthcare?  Tell us about it.  

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Top 5 Businesses to Grow in 2012 | Infographic

We know that employment and job opportunity is one of the major drivers of people choosing to move long distance.  Considering the amazing growth taking place in the five companies featured in this infographic — Top 5 Businesses to Grow in 2012 — it’s likely a few people are starting the New Year working at these places.

ideeli is one of these companies.  Ranked as Inc. 500’s #1 entrepreneurial superstar, Ideeli is a members-only online retailer offering limited-time sales on sought-after brands.  And when you tell your friends about ideeli, you get a $25 credit for each friend who buys. Pretty cool deal.

Solazyme is another.  This San Francisco, CA based company makes oil — transforming low-cost plant sugars into high-value renewable oils. BiofuelsDigest ranked them #1 in “50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” for 2011-12 and #2 on the Inc. 500 list.

Then there’s C2C Outdoor — ranked Inc. 500’s #3 Fastest Growing Company in America. What is it? It’s an advertising company, specializing in “out-of-home” advertising — representing brands like Ugg®, Pandora™, Abercrombie & Fitch, Teva®, and Oakley® to name a few. 

Don’t forget about Big Night Entertainment Group, headquartered in Boston.  The company ranked as Inc. 500’s #4 Fastest Growing Company in America. It operates high-end nightclubs and restaurants in Boston.

Finally, there’s Crystal Clear Technologies — voted #5 overall and #1 in Government Services Industry on the Inc. 500.  Headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, Crystal Clear Technologies is a woman-owned company that provides commercial and government clients with IT tools and support.

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How to Choose a Realtor Who Gets the Job Done

Buying or selling a home is a huge undertaking, and one of the most significant financial decisions you'll make as an adult. All things considered, the Realtor you choose will have a huge impact on whether the home-buying process is a success or a disaster.  Let's talk about how to make it a success.

First, it probably comes as no surprise that you'll want to find a realtor you can depend on to work on your behalf.  Many times you can find good realtors through good old fashioned word-of-mouth referrals.  Chances are, if they worked hard for your friends and family, they'll work hard for you.  But if you don't already have someone in mind, here are some tips for choosing a realtor who will get the job done and leave you satisfied in the end: 

• Make a checklist of what you're looking for in an agent.  Examples of these requirements may be the following: someone with integrity, someone who is available, someone who checks listings often, someone who is up on current market conditions and the home buying/selling process, someone who will keep your needs and budget in mind (without being pushy), someone who will work hard for you. 
• Search online.  An online search through websites like ratemyagent.com, homethinking.com, or zillow.com may provide consumer reviews that will help you make a decision. 
• Make sure the realtor is licensed.  To find this information, you can check with the real estate commission in your state.
• Ask for references.  If you've found a realtor you like, but you don't know anyone who has personally used them, make sure to ask for references.  Follow up by calling the references.
• Interview the agent.  A one-on-one meeting will help ensure personalities don't clash.  You definitely want to make sure you see eye-to-eye with what's important to you.
• Verify whether the realtor is representing you or the seller. 
• Verify the realtor has access to either the MLS or another reliable online home buyer's search service.

Now, let me explain something that I didn't know:  Real estate agents aren't technically Realtors® unless they're members of the National Association of Realtors— which happens to be North America's largest trade association. The benefits of working with a Realtor seems to be that they are held to a strict Code of Ethics, and the access they have to hundreds of MLSs— a database where homes listed for sale are stored.   Keep in mind that any person who sells real estate must be licensed by the state where they work as either an agent or a broker.

Ideas for Hosting a Moving-Out Party

Great Ideas for Hosting a Moving-Out Party
Saying good-bye to people you love can be bittersweet; it's exciting to see them embark on a new adventure but sad to see them go.  If you're saying bon voyage to a close friend or family member, we've got some great tips and ideas for hosting a moving-out party that's sure to keep everyone in good spirits! 

Choose a theme. 
If the city they're moving to is interesting or fun, try building the theme around it. For example:  If they're moving to Hawaii, have a luau.  If they're moving to Denver, decorate with snow.  If they're moving to Chicago, serve cuisine that Chicago is known for.  If you can't think of a city-related theme, how about this:  I recently read about a "Desserting Us" themed party on another blog— serving a buffet of desserts.  Love it! 

If you're sending a recent high school grad off to college, how about incorporating the new college into the party theme.  Decorate with school colors, hang pennants and serve pizza (the ultimate college food, right).  You can also do the "sending you off in style" theme and gift the guest of honor with some items needed to survive college.  For example:  money, gift cards, food, towels, bed linens and small appliances (just make sure they're allowed in the dorm).  

Create a great invitation.
Whether you make these on your own, or order them online, creating a fun invitation is really easy, and sets the tone for a great moving out party!  How about creating one in the shape of a suitcase?  Maybe use a postcard from the state they're moving to? Or, how about using a map of the city they're moving to?  

Get sentimental. 
Here are some great ideas for activities guaranteed to make the guest of honor feel loved (just keep tissue handy):

• Create a scrapbook that includes photos of the guest of honor with friends and family.  Leave room in the back for party guests to write memories and well-wishes.
• Give each party guest a card that says "I will miss (guest of honor's name) because…" and ask them to complete the card.  You can present the cards during the party.
• If you have a video-savvy person in the family (or know where to find one), create a photo-video chronicle and set it to music.
• Set up a photo area, complete with a background, where the guest of honor can have his/her picture made with the guests.
• Create an impromptu yearbook.  Let me explain:  Prior to the party, buy a blank book and begin by filling a couple of pages with memories of the guest-of-honor, fun facts about yourself, things to remember about the party, etc., then as the night goes on, have each guest do the same.  This will provide a fun favor for the guest of honor to look through once they've reached their new destination.
• Have guests find something interesting to see or do in the guest of honor's new hometown; then, compile a list and challenge them to complete each task once they get there.

Don't forget the gifts!
No party is complete without gifts and party favors.  Give the guest of honor a stack of cd's for the cross-country move, a guidebook of their new town, picture frames, or an item related to their new destination.  For your other guests, create a gift bag with a change of address card, stationary, and other items used for keeping in touch with the person moving away. 

It's true; no one likes saying good-bye to people they love.  But when you have no other choice, why not do everything you can to make it memorable!  Host a moving-out party that puts a smile on everyone's face.  Oh, and don't forget, if the moving-out party is a surprise, be sure to include that tidbit of info on the invite!

Have pics of a great moving-out party you would like to share? We would love to see (and post) them! 

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How do I Organize a Cross-Country Move?

If you've moved before, you know that a move of any size or distance can cause stress and anxiety.  But when it's a cross-country move, the concerns seem to compound.  What most people find is that staying organized and creating a thorough plan-of-action simplifies the moving process significantly (and who doesn't envy that?).  We've compiled some great ways to organize your cross-country move to make it as simple as possible:

Print off a moving checklist.
MoveBuilder offers a comprehensive moving checklist that begins eight weeks in advance of your move.  I think you'll find it very useful. 

Research first.
Before you spend time getting moving estimates, think about the types of moving services you need and what your budget is.  Then, start researching moving companies.  Word-of-mouth is a great tool, and thanks to social media, it's easier.  Using platforms like Twitter, Facebook, user review sites, and blogs (like this one), you can search company names to see whether they're involved in social media and what customers are saying about them.   Customers sometimes have issues— how does the company respond when they do?  This can often give you a good idea of what type of customer service to expect. (MoveBuilder is active with Twitter, Facebook and of course, this blog…follow us!) 

Start getting moving estimates.
Once you've decided on companies that meet your standards, begin requesting online moving estimates or estimates by phone.  If the estimates don't line up with your budget, make sure to speak directly with a representative; companies like MoveBuilder can often offer options that lower the cost of your move.

Begin reducing the amount of items you move.
This has multiple benefits: You save the hassle of unpacking extra items when you arrive at your new home, and you'll normally save money by moving fewer things. Consider having a yard sale or charity donation several weeks in advance of your move.  Go through the items you have in storage, every room and every closet.  A good rule of thumb for most items is this:  If you haven't used it in more than a year, you probably don't need it!  Also, avoid keeping the items that aren't sold in the yard sale.  You can donate them to a number of local charities or toss them in the trash.  If you donate, just remember to get a receipt for tax purposes.

Consolidate items in drawers, closets and cabinets.
If you gather "like" items into one location, it's easier to fill boxes with similar items— which you'll be happy about when it comes time to unpack.  Go through each room and organize items into a smaller area.  For example, if you can, keep all of your daily kitchen utensils in one drawer versus spread out over five; move all coats and winter clothes into one area; move all books into one location, etc.

Get packing.
For this, you'll need good, quality boxes.  These can often be purchased from your moving company.  Start by packing items that you don't use regularly, such as out-of-season clothes, decorations, books, etc.  Some tips to keep you more organized (and reduce your stress level) are to clearly mark each box with the room it should go into and the items enclosed (e.g. Living Room/ Picture Frames); then designate one room to hold all of the packed boxes until moving day (ideally a low-traffic room).  Taking these steps will give you a better idea of how much space you will need, keep you and the movers from searching the whole house for boxes and allow for easier unpacking once you arrive at your destination.

As a quick reminder, you don't want to load everything into the moving truck:  Items like daily hygiene products, medications, and the family pet need to make the trip in your personal vehicle (or an alternative). Chances are you'll need these things before you make it across the country.

Relocating long distance can be stressful and emotional, but there's no doubt that starting out with an organized cross-country move can make it much more enjoyable and exciting!  If you have questions about your move or want to know how MoveBuilder can help, give us a call at 800-968-1276.

10 Questions To Ask Your Moving Company

It's Top 10 Friday! And today we're talking about something near and dear to our hearts...questions you should ask when you're choosing a moving company. During the research phase, there are some important questions you should ask every potential mover. Before you make a decision, we recommend making sure you're satisfied with how the company responds to the following questions:

1. How much does it cost to move?
2. How is the cost calculated (by weight, linear footage, etc.)?
3. What happens if I use more or less weight/space?
4. Do I have to pay a down payment or a deposit?
5. Will my belongings ever be unloaded or transferred?
6. Will other families belongings be packed in the moving truck with mine? If so, how are they separated?
7. Is my move-out day guaranteed?
8. What is the transit time? Can you guarantee the delivery date? Is expedited transit available if I need it faster?
9. What type of liability coverage/insurance is included?
10. Can I track my shipment while it's in transit?

1. Get a free moving estimate from MoveBuilder to determine how much your move will cost. All we need for an estimate is your origin and destination, an approximate move date and the size of your move (try out the Room-by-Room Space Estimator for help figuring out how much space you'll need).
2. MoveBuilder's prices are based on the linear footage your shipment occupies in the moving trailer or the number of ReloCubes you use. That means you don't have to wait for the moving truck to be weighed to know your final cost— you know as your shipment is loaded.
3. Customer's love MoveBuilder's flexibility. If you need more or less space than originally estimated, no problem. Just add or subtract the per foot rate included in your estimate/reservation. Estimate accuracy is very important to MoveBuilder— with a complete inventory, our goal is to estimate within three feet plus or minus for every move. That's the reason we ask so many detailed questions.
4. Unlike many full-service movers, MoveBuilder does not require a down payment or deposit. We need a credit card to reserve, and that card isn't charged until your shipment is in transit to your destination.
5. When you move with MoveBuilder, your belongings are never unloaded or transferred. They stay in the same trailer or ReloCube they were loaded into until they're delivered to your destination. A definite plus since studies show that each time your shipment is handled, the potential for damage increases.
6. MoveBuilder never co-mingles household goods shipments. That means there's no danger of your goods being mixed up with someone else's or of a moving truck filled with your belongings sitting in someone else's driveway. If you don't fill the full trailer, the remaining space will be used for packaged, boxes or palletized commercial goods moving in the same direction. We'll provide a secure divider wall to separate your belongings from the commercial goods.
7. MoveBuilder offers only a day-certain moving day. That means you know the EXACT day your move-out will take place.
8. Take a look at your MoveBuilder moving estimate— it includes an estimated transit time. This is designed to give you an idea of when to expect delivery. Thanks to ABF's efficient transportation system, we can typically move you anywhere in the U.S. within 2-5 business days. If your shipment is time sensitive, ask your MoveBuilder representative about MoveBuilder Guaranteed. With MoveBuilder Guaranteed, your shipment is pushed ahead of other shipments in the system. If it fails to arrive on the guaranteed date, MoveBuilder will reduce your transportation charges by up to 100%!
9. When you purchase both loading and unloading services from MoveBuilder, Full-value coverage is automatically included— for FREE. If you choose only loading or unloading (not both), your shipment qualifies for Released Value Coverage. Please read MoveBuilder's Liability Statement for more detailed information.
10. MoveBuilder offers 24/7 tracking. You can track your shipment online, or call 800-570-0631 during our Move Managers' normal business hours: M-F, 8:00am – 6:00pm CST and Sat. 9:00am – 2:00pm CST