How to Land a Job Abroad

Whether you want to broaden your professional experience, earn more money thanks to a favorable exchange rate, travel and see more of the world or even relocate permanently, seeking employment overseas can be both exciting and more than a little daunting. Here we explore some of the various options, as well as what to be aware of and how to put your best foot forward.  

Explore your options online

If you don’t yet have a set idea of which country you’d like to work in, it’s a good idea to start creating a shortlist based on the kinds of vacancies that are available in the countries that pique your interest. If you’re in a highly specialized field, you may find there’s a particularly high demand in areas that might never have occurred to you.  

Websites like Indeed, Jooble, and Monster are good places to start, as they showcase opportunities from all around the world. Once you have your shortlist, you can start digging deeper into employment and immigration policies, checking out what the area’s healthcare and living costs are like, and getting in touch with local agencies that specialize in placing candidates overseas in the locations which appeal to you.

Skills shortages

Your best chance of securing work abroad is in those fields and industries which have a skills shortage in your specialty, as the local government may have special programs in place designed to streamline and speed up the process. If you’ve got a list of the countries you’re interested in traveling to or living in, do a little Googling about the skills shortages in each of them and find the ones that align best with your qualifications and experience. New Zealand, for example, releases a yearly skills shortage list. If you are qualified in the skills they’re after, they may offer you what’s called an Essential Skills work visa and offer faster processing of your application.

Get in touch with some international agencies

Large international recruiters and specialized placement providers such as engineering recruitment agencies with a global footprint are also an excellent way to get expert advice and be put in touch with potential employers overseas. They may have branches in the countries you’re interested in or have partnerships in place with other firms. Mention straight off the bat that you’re keen on relocating, and they’ll be able to give to guidance as well as help keep your expectations realistic. They’re also more likely to be aware of international opportunities that aren’t advertised internationally online.

National newspapers and local classifieds

Once you’ve honed-in on the most suitable countries, scouring their local online newspapers and classifieds will give you a better idea of the quantity of jobs available, what they pay, and what experience they’re after. With these facts at your disposal, you can start focusing all your efforts on the best fit.

What about your current employer?

If the company you currently work for has an international footprint, landing a job overseas might be as simple as asking for a transfer! Another option is keeping your current job and working remotely or telecommuting.   

What if I don’t have formal qualifications or years of experience?

If you don’t have the necessary formal qualifications you need to land a well-paying job overseas, you have two options. Either accept that you’ll have to make do with a lower-paying job in exchange for the chance to travel and broaden your horizons, or make a plan to acquire the skills you do need! It might not be as difficult as you assume either. If you have a background in construction for example, you can significantly boost your chances of getting a job overseas by taking a course in a renewable energy field such as solar installation, opening up opportunities in the newly booming ‘green jobs’ sector.

If you’re young and simply want a chance to travel, explore your options for a working holiday. While the options open to your will vary from region to region and most countries will require proof that you have sufficient savings to support yourself for the first three months of your stay while you look for work, there are few better ways to really get to understand the culture of a place than actually living and working like a local.

While these visas are generally limited to those aged 35 and younger, there are still options for older folks too. WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and opportunities such as those offered by Help Exchange, where you exchange a few hours of labor a day in return for food and lodgings, are a fascinating option to broaden your horizons, and maybe even uncover a whole new potential career path!