To relocate or not: Where you can grow your career. Wednesday, 3rd March 2010 Source : ExecuNet

Relocation may or may not be a consideration for you if you're seeking your next career opportunity.

But if you are open to expanding your geographic area, you may want to check out Forbes magazine's recently released list of "Best Places to Get Ahead"¹ to explore some possible destinations.

The list was compiled after the analysis of several data points, including the comparison between job growth in the second quarter of 2007 versus the same time period in 2009 in various counties.

The publication also identified counties that had the greatest income growth and studied counties that had annual median household incomes of $75,000 or higher.

The number one location on the list was Fort Bend, Texas, which posted a 10-percent increase in incomes from 2007 to 2008. Among the most prominent industries in this area are energy, education and hospitality.

Delaware County, Ohio was second on the list, where income increased 10.5 percent. Number three was Kendall County, Ill., which reported a 12.5 percent increase in income. Rounding out the top five — and tied for fourth place on the list — were Williamson County, Tenn. (13.9 percent) and Arlington County, Va. (6.6 percent increase in income; a 3.5 percent jobs increase).

ExecuNet's 2009 Executive Job Market Intelligence Report² provides an even broader view of where job opportunities can be found.

According to search firms, the West Coast is the top growth region, followed by the Southwest (including Texas). After two straight years as the top growth region (in 2007 and 2008), the South/Southeast region is now at number three. The Mid Atlantic and Midwest regions are fourth and fifth, respectively.

The regions where executive search firm recruiters expect the biggest growth in 2010 will be released in the forthcoming 18th annual Executive Job Market Intelligence Report.

¹ www.forbes.com/2010/02/01/jobs-income-growth-lifestyle-real-estate-get-ahead_slide.html

² www.execunet.com/e_trends_survey.cfm