Moving On ... Some Tips

Taking on a career in radio means a life of coming and going; across town, in-state, or out of state. Based on all the recent activity in our industry, I thought it would be a good idea to remind some of the veterans and give tips to those inexperienced with the change of job-scenery.

The Job Offer...

• Find out when the potential new employer needs an answer.
• Ask for a copy of the offer and benefits package.
• Do not hesitate to ask questions about the benefits package.
• If you accept the offer, what is the start date?
• Is the salary negotiable?
• What will your hours be?
• Who will you report to?
• Will the company pay for the move?
• Find out about rating bonuses.
• What are sick, vacation and personal day policies?
• If they do not give out contracts, get a letter of agreement spelling out everything.

You Have Accepted...

If they are paying for your move, find out how many estimates you need. Word of advice: Mayflower is the only one that gives an exact price. All the others are estimates subject to change up or down. Except for the driver, independents are hired at both ends for loading and unloading. Pack your own things because the cost of allowing them to do it is high and they are not always as careful with your things.

More To Do & Ask...

• Always visit the market prior to moving there.
• If you use a moving company and drive to your new destination, see if you can get expensed for your gas, food and lodging.
• Ask for suggestions on where to live.
• Find out how often you will be paid; twice a month on the 1st and the 15th or every week. Ask if there is direct deposit.
• How does the health insurance work? Does the company contribute or pay for it all?
• If you have kids, call the Chamber of Commerce and check on schools.

Voluntarily Exiting...

• Before giving notice, backup any files you might have stored on the company computer.
• Systematically remove all personal items you wish to keep (Loading a Box would get stares and rumors).
• Air personalities -- make a list of any monies owed from personal appearances or endorsements (ad agencies are slow on station payment and talent fees are included with whatever the company is owed).
• Sit down with your immediate supervisor and give your two-weeks' notice.
• Coordinate a goodbye inner-office memo with management to the staff. (E-mail is too impersonal).
• Remain gracious right through your departure day.
• Check on any leftover vacation time which can be converted to cash.
• If there is an Employee stock plan, 401K, a stock portfolio of any sort, bonuses owed, and health/dental insurance, make sure to get with H&R or the Business manager for a smooth transition to your new place of employment.

Non-Voluntary Exit Plan

• Immediately attempt to backup any personal files that you might have stored on the company computer.
• Air personalities before signing off on anything, make a list of any monies owed from personal appearances, endorsements, and vacation days transferable to cash. (Ad agencies are slow on station payment and talent fees are included with whatever the company is owed).
• If there is an employee stock plan, 401K, a stock portfolio of any sort, bonuses owed, and health/dental insurance, make sure to get with H&R or the Business Manager to understand your plan of action.
• Go to the unemployment office and file the very next business day that you can.
• Prepare a statement and send it to All Access, along with a picture to the editor of the format you are in, or Net News. Thank the people you just worked with and provide the ways you can be contacted. It will be a news item and you will get calls and e-mails.

Banking...

Always find out what banks are in the town you are moving to. If you don't already do so, I suggest opening an account with national financial institution (i.e., Bank of America, Wells Fargo). Check and sure they have a branch in the town you are moving to. Any checks you write would be treated as local and save you the hassle of any waiting period. When you do move, do not tell the bank or the money in your account will be frozen until an entire banking cycle has passed and all checks have cleared. Just wait until you get to your new city and deposit a check emptying your previous account into your new one. By the way, all Citizen Banks are not connected; I learned that the hard way over the years.

License, Registration, and Insurance Please...

Use Google or Bing to do a search for the DMV in the state you are moving to and find out what is required for you to become a resident of the city and state. If your license plate or plates expire in the month of your move, get it renewed before you leave so you will have time to get whatever is needed to be recognized in your new location for residency.

From Personal Experience...

At the time, I moved from Kansas City to Dallas, I never thought to renew my Missouri plates and they were due to expire at the end of the month. I had things to do, find a place to live, meet my staff, learn the town, and prepare for an upcoming rating period. The only people I knew in Dallas was the station owner and the COO. I did not feel comfortable dragging them to the County Tax Assessor's Office to sign a document vouching for my new residency so I could pay the property taxes on my car and get plates. I had an out-of-state license and not enough time to get into a place to get a utility bill proving I was now a resident of the state. So, I looked at the Texas accepted forms of verification and found out I could use a car insurance invoice bill to get a driver's license and use the license with my new address on it to pay the taxes to get Texas plates without having to wait. A lot of stuff varies from state to state, for example vehicle emission tests are required.

Conclusion

One of my favorite definitions of change comes from Frederic M. Hudson, founder of the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, "The Continuous Change Rule -- Navigating the journey is more important than the destination, since all arrivals are temporary. There are no static resting places, only continuous change throughout all the years of our lives." Sounds like radio!