HOW TO FIND WORK ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Grace Clapham In Change School TV With career change tags With 0 Comments

In case you missed last week’s episode… we talked about 3 Signs you’re working in a Toxic Environment … 10 Sanity Tips to stay sane in a toxic workplace…. and 5 Ways To Get Proactive and Be Part of the Solution / Effort to Detoxify Your Workplace

Head on over to bit.ly/ChangeSchoolTV19 to watch the replay!

Tonight’s Episode (#20) will be short and sweet with a downloadable TIP SHEET which we’ll share later to help you Find Work Abroad Opportunities

A topic that is becoming more and more pertinent for career shifters/seekers as we now have fewer barriers to relocating / working remotely and more reasons to explore international placement or even remote working opportunities.

Whether you’re seeking opportunities to work abroad, strategies for a smooth relocation, or for finding location independent jobs that give you the freedom to travel while earning money - you have options.
 

For tonight’s episode, we’ll cover: 

1. Reasons to Work Abroad
2. Key Things To Consider and Plan Ahead For
3. Pro Tips For Finding Work or Jobs Abroad
4. Helpful Online Sites and Resources
 

REASONS TO WORK ABROAD

  • Global exposure - Discover and immerse yourself in new cultural environments + settings
  • New perspectives - Learn about yourself and the world through new connections + experiences
  • Cost of living - Enjoy a more fulfilling life+work style by reducing your daily expenses
  • Spouse relocation - An opportunity to develop new skills + relationships somewhere new
  • Embrace change - Embark on a new adventure that inspires + challenges you!


 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Work permits + visas - It’s important to understand what is required to travel or work abroad. Policies and information can vary depending on the country you’re coming from, what country you’re going to, your current employment status, and the length of your stay. Contact your local consulate office for the most up-to-date information. They can also provide guidance for preparing to work abroad and help point you in the right direction to get this process started. 
 

Language + cultural barriers - It’s always good to familiarise yourself with the local language, cultural nuances and customs of a new country you’re considering to move to. Consider taking online language courses to start the learning. Try asking friends who are from those countries, or traveled there before, to build up your knowledge or gain helpful tips. 
 

Professional industries + positions - It’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the economic dynamics of the country you’re considering to move to. Things like where to look for work opportunities and the type of work you can expect will help to guide your search and exploration. Read up a local newspaper or website or setup a Google country alert to stay in the know, or reach out to people you know who are living / working in your target market(s).
 

Cost of living and money matters - Manage your expectations about the costs that would be involved for your move and transition. Try to gauge average rent prices, meal expenses, and other costs of living so you can save up and plan accordingly. Depending on your financial situation, consider taking up freelance jobs / flexible gigs that will allow you to work remotely while you ‘scout’ or search for more permanent work opportunities abroad. Remember that it’s usually easier to apply for jobs in a new country when you’re physically there, so try to get creative about how you can earn extra bucks and/or fund an exploratory trip during your transition. 
 

Think ‘glocally’ - Remember to take into consideration time differences and local holidays when scheduling skype calls or virtual meetings with prospective employers or companies abroad. Try to adjust and accommodate their time zones to demonstrate your cultural intelligence. 
 

Medical insurance + healthcare - In most cases, it is advised to consult your insurance provider to understand their overseas coverage options and/or how you can ensure you have some type of medical insurance while you travel or once you’ve relocated. It’s never too early to start researching this to compare and contrast the different options that are available to you. 
 

Temporary Work - If you’re at an early stage of your career, or typically, under the age of 30, consider teaching English as an entry-point to live and work abroad. English-teaching jobs are abundant, the pay is great, work is pretty easy, and you can usually expect some pretty sweet perks. Also look into working holiday schemes to potentially trade work for accommodation. It’s always easier to find your next job / career opportunity while you’re already working.  

 

PRO TIPS FOR FINDING WORK ABROAD
 

News feeds - Subscribe to select news feeds covering the markets you’re interested in to start getting plugged into the local ecosystem and receive updates in your inbox. Take note of any new sectors the government is promoting or supporting.
 

Government websites - Research government websites to find out what the most needed skills are and whether specific qualifications are required for immigration or work visas. 
 

Job/Career sites - Take some time each week to research job boards, company job listings, or recruitment sites to discover current position openings and which companies are hiring.

 

Internal transfers - If you work for a multinational company or large organisation, you may be able to request an internal transfer to a foreign office, relocated position, or a referral to other ‘partner’ companies. Speak with your boss or HR department to explore these potential options.  


Localise your resume - Consider best practices and norms for adapting your resume or cover letter appropriately. For example, using US vs UK English spelling, including a profile picture for positions in Asia, or even recording a video resume. 
 

Tap your network - Reach out to people in your immediate / wider network and tell them what you’re looking for (which markets, what field) … ask for introductions / referrals / ideas.
 

Social networks - Search and join Facebook or LinkedIn Groups (both local and expat ones) using search terms like ‘digital nomad’, ‘work abroad’, ‘careers’, ‘jobs’, or ‘freelance’.


Event platforms - Look up local Meetup pages and Eventbrite listings to discover the type of events, networks and communities you can connect for professional/social networking.
 

Travel networking - Plan a visit to your country of interest and spend a bit of a time there to immerse in the culture, get to know the surroundings, and get a feel for the place. Visit local coworking spaces or ‘hubs’ to say you’re looking to make a move and exploring opportunities. Drop into local cafes and collect event flyers over a latte and casual chat with some locals!
 

Chambers of commerce + embassies - Your ‘home’ country’s chambers of commerce and embassies are often a good resource for relocation services, business directories or even job listings. Drop in or setup an appointment to speak to someone who can share what’s available. 
 

HELPFUL SITES + RESOURCES

 

Download our Tip Sheet for FINDING WORK ABROAD here.