Employers ask about location for a reason. They are worried that a candidate will accept, then leave after a few months because the move was harder than expected. You can answer that worry directly, and that is usually enough.
Put it on the CV
Currently Enugu · Relocating to Lagos from March 2027
A date is more reassuring than a promise. If you are not yet sure of the date, give the month you expect to move.
What to say on the phone
Keep it to two or three sentences: where you are now, when you can move, and what you can do for the interview. For example: “I am relocating to Lagos in March. I can attend an in-person interview on any weekday next week, and I have arranged temporary accommodation.”
Ask before the interview
- Does the employer cover travel for an in-person interview?
- Is any relocation support or temporary housing offered?
- When is the start date, and is the offer conditional on moving by then?
Be honest about relocation
Some employers will hire someone who lives elsewhere and expect them to move. Others need someone in the city now. Say which applies to you in your cover note, in one plain sentence: the city you live in now, and whether you can move, and when you could start.
Do not hide your location and hope the interview is the moment to explain. Recruiters often screen on location early, and an address that is not explained can end an application before anyone reads your experience. A clear sentence or two is enough.
If you are moving for the job, check the costs before you accept. Travel, a deposit on a flat, and the first month of rent can come due before your first pay date. Include them in your plan, and ask whether the employer offers any relocation support.
You can also browse openings by location on the state pages, which is a quick way to see which roles are advertised where you plan to go.