Working abroad is not for everyone, but I doubt that many of us have not thought of finding a job in a more exotic place than our country of origin. Getting a job abroad can be one of the most rewarding life experiences you’ve ever had. But it’s not as simple as packing a bag and heading to the airport, hopefully.
Here are 10 tips on how you can move your international career:
PLAN: – This is the only way to manage a successful move. If an internal secondment to your current job is not an option, you will need a job search strategy to make sure you are not dreaming of the challenge yet on your next vacation. If you are considering entering jobs in Dubai or Singapore, think of all the search tools available to you (online, networks, personal contacts, etc.) and plan how you will use them as much as you can.
DRILL IT: – You need a very clear picture of the type of job you are really looking for, or your search could be disjointed. Do you want the same job, but somewhere else? A step forward in the profession you have chosen or something completely different? A vague notion of simply “working abroad” will be obvious to potential employers and will not go well.
Do your homework: – Now is the time to research potential companies, countries, and jobs. The best method would be to work for your existing organization at a foreign outpost, but if this is not possible, be sure to consider the logistics of the necessary qualifications and the visa/residency or language issues that might reduce particular roles or nations from your list.
DEVELOP AND CONQUER: – Maybe you don’t have the language and/or work experience necessary to secure your dream career abroad. This should not be an obstacle to broadening your horizons and correcting your lack of skills. Explore ways to increase this resume to include the perfect criteria for going out and getting what you want!
SORT THIS CV: – Without being able to find the next career change face to face, your first impressions will be made via your CV (or CV) and cover letter. Your cover letter should be concise, professional, culturally aligned with the country of your choice and above all spelled correctly! There are many resources online to help you with resumes, on how to create a resume and cover letters.
WORK IT: – After all, sometimes, of course, it’s as much “who” you know as “what” you know. There is no point in being the quietest job seeker in the room. Make sure EVERYONE knows the type of career change you are looking for and politely ask how it can help you. Use online social networks such as LinkedIn to broaden your networking horizons – it works, trust me. Members of your network can help you with job leads.
SCREEN IDOL: – You may be asked to attend a video interview. Preparation is vital because you will no longer be able to count on your written language skills, which can, of course, be checked and corrected. Prepare and practice!
CHASE: – You MUST follow all contacts and job offers. It may not be LE, but who knows what it could lead to, in terms of connection and contact. It also shows that you are serious about taking up a job abroad and that you are not wasting time. Remember to be assertive without being aggressive.
JUST DO IT: – It may sound rather reckless, but there is a lot to be said for pitching sticks and moving to the country of your choice and finding work while being “on the ground”. You would, of course, have put your visas in order and organized your finances to live without pay for, say, up to 3 months, but if this is viable for you, then this might be the right decision. Make sure you have paper references and all the right documents with you to speed up the process, rather than coming and going. If it is not viable, then at least “job search leave” could be a plan.
GOOD LUCK: – Going abroad is a big problem for everyone, it’s also one of the most exciting and fulfilling adventures you can ever do. Plan properly and be careful, the world is literally your oyster!
