Do you dream of being overseas and pursuing your dream career? You surely do! People are always willing to relocate to find a job abroad and know their full potential.
It is a process with many possible pathways, but don’t worry, we will show you the best ways and guide you to work in your dream destination!
Preparation to Working Abroad
- First things first, remember that Google is your friend at this stage of the process! You will have to dedicate time to research work visas, jobs, salaries, costs of living, and more.
- Be in the right mindset; which means that you need to be patient, willing to take risks, and motivated at all times as this process is lengthy but so rewarding at the end!
- Are you an outgoing person? Great! You won’t have an issue with finding connections and asking about employment opportunities in person. However, if you are an introvert, you might want to get out of your comfort zone to expand your network.
- One method that some people do to prepare themselves would be traveling to the country for a short time before moving. This would allow you to get familiar with the environment and culture.
- Learn ALL about resumes and CVs. Make sure to update your resume according to the style and standards of the country. For example, in Italy, you include your date and place of birth, citizenship, status (single, married, etc.), education, as well as a legal statement that allows the hiring company to view and process your personal data.
- Before accepting a job offer, always check if you have the right documentation and visa to legally work in the country.
Best Ways to Find a Job Abroad
#1 Attend job fairs
Consider searching your local area to find overseas job fairs. You can do that either by asking around in your work or even if you’re a student, the university’s student office might help.
Also, a quick Google search for the phrases “job fair abroad” then the name of your city will likely result in at least one option. You might even find many online options!
Going to career fairs and social events can open more doors in your life. They are a great way to find companies recruiting people to work in their international offices. It is possible that you could even go through an interview on the spot.
You can introduce yourself to companies on a personal level and receive feedback on your profile and CV. By being there, you are showing your dedication and making useful connections!
Pros: You can meet potential employers and most of the time, you’ll get the response back regarding the job application immediately instead of waiting.
Cons: The competition is higher during a job fair as there are many candidates that may be qualified for the job.
#2 Social Media
Yes, your social media accounts are not just for fun! You can use them to present yourself and what you do, and share that you’re looking for a job overseas.
You never know who might see your account, it could be an employer looking to recruit someone abroad. Throughout these channels, you’ll get a chance to network with professionals and share your portfolio and CV.
You can even build your professional brand by creating a website showcasing your work experiences and personality.
Pros: Compared to a resume, social media accounts give you the chance to present more than just your professional experiences, but also extra things like volunteer work and talents.
Cons: Some companies/employers do not use this recruitment system as they see it as unprofessional or not credible.
#3 Company Career Pages
It’s great that you want to find a job abroad, but it would be even better if you know the type of job and company that you want. This would narrow down your options and make the research process a bit easier.
For example, if you would like to work at a tech company, HP is known to hire foreign workers in multiple countries.
Make a list of all the companies that you would like to work in then visit their websites, and go to their “career” pages to find opportunities. The job postings on these pages usually have more up-to-date information than a job board.
Pros: Job boards tend to be overwhelming and you may not find what you are looking for. If you directly search on the company’s site, the options would be less but more efficient!
Cons: The process of visiting each website individually might be time-consuming.
#4 Freelance/Digital Nomad
In some cases, you can find a job abroad without getting hired by an employer, you would have to become a freelancer. The rules to work legally vary from one country to another, so make sure you check the regulations before traveling.
For example, as a freelancer, you can immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person, but there are requirements that you would have to meet first. Check them on the government’s website.
Writers, photographers, graphic designers, voice actors are some of the many jobs that you can do as a digital nomad. Many countries allow you to live there, but again, you would have to look into the visa options and pay close attention to the rules.
Spain, for example, is planning to launch a brand-new visa for digital nomads where you can stay there for one year and an extension is possible too.
If you can’t stand the idea of having a 9-5 office job, then becoming a digital nomad is a great way to follow your passion!
Pros: As a digital nomad and a freelancer, your schedule will be flexible and you would get a better chance of exploring the new destination.
Cons: Your income won’t always be consistent, it depends on how many clients you can find and your years of experience.
#5 Work Exchange
It is also known as work travel or voluntourism, and it is a type of travel where you offer a particular skill that hosts are looking for; something that you have experience with.
Instead of money, you’ll receive free accommodation for the period you’ve agreed to work in, along with other benefits (that vary between hosts) like meals, discounts on events and trips, language lessons, and more.
Some examples of the work that you can do are hospitality services, renovation and maintenance, photography and videography, tourist guide, and language teaching.
Work exchanges are the best way to reduce travel costs and travel on a budget! Check out some opportunities on GoAbroad.
Pros: You get to travel, pursue something you’re passionate about, and save money abroad on housing and other expenses.
Cons: Even though you get benefits for free, you don’t get paid for the work you do there.
#6 Short-term work abroad
If you don’t want to work abroad on a permanent basis, getting a working holiday visa is a great option.
Many countries, such as Australia, Canada and USA, offer it which allows you to stay and work for up to two years or less depending on the country you choose.
If you want to work for even a shorter amount of time, there are work abroad programs available, each with different requirements to apply.
Pros: One of the best things you’re getting is the work experience! Once you choose to start applying for jobs back home, you will stand out from other applicants.
Cons: The working holiday visa has an age limit of 18-35.
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