9 Tips for Finding the Best Job for You in Another Country

Overview

• The benefits of working in a different country
• Tips for landing your ideal international job
• Why it’s good to have Joblist by your side

Maybe you’ve heard stories of people landing new jobs with international companies, and you wonder how they did it. If you’re a job seeker looking to land a job abroad, the process may require a lot of hard work, research, and patience. However, an overseas job can be worth it.

If you’re looking to land an international job, there’s no better moment than now. With record job openings in many developed countries like New Zealand and Australia, there’s probably a job out there that’ll fit your skill set. If you properly position yourself, you can leverage the job opportunities that abound in the international labor market.

This article will provide tips on finding a job in another country, detail the benefits of working in a new country, and show how Joblist can help you in your job search.

Working in another country can offer several benefits in terms of your personal and professional development. A few core benefits include:

• More creative and innovative ideas. Working in a foreign country can fire up your creative juices. Through interactions with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, you might be exposed to new ideas and problem-solving strategies that are very different from what you already know. Learning to think outside the box or approach problems from a different perspective can lead to discovering innovative solutions to existing problems.
• Greater cultural awareness. Working overseas can expose you to new environments. When exposed to other people’s cultures, you’re more culturally aware. Such experience can be exciting and valuable from both a personal and professional perspective — leading to improved self-confidence, flexibility, and adaptability.
• Expand your professional network. Working abroad can be a great way to expand your professional network — meaning more opportunities for professional advancement since you can quickly get information about job openings. You can also use your network for recommendations when applying for new opportunities.
• More lucrative careers. Many countries lack local talent in key industries. So, they might be willing to pay more than in your home country. Most companies offer quite a few perks in addition to the high pay. However, it’s good to note that living expenses vary and might be higher than they are in your home country.
• Resume boost. After working abroad for a few years, most people plan to return to their home country. If you’re thinking along that line, your overseas experience can boost your resume for any professional endeavor you wish to pursue. You may become more flexible, adaptable, team-oriented, or efficient in communication. There’s also a possibility that you’ll pick up new language skills.
• Gain valuable work experience. If you’re a graduate without work experience in your industry, getting a job can be challenging. Working abroad can be a great way to gain much-needed work experience. The experience you gain working for a company abroad might even be more valuable than if you had tried working your way up from your home country.
• Opportunity for personal growth. Working in a foreign country and experiencing the culture can help you reappraise yourself regarding your values, wants, and needs. In addition, the various challenges you’ll face abroad can teach you valuable lessons that may make you a better person.

If you’re looking for an international job, below are nine tips to help get you started.

To live and work in a foreign country, you need a visa. However, getting a visa necessitates some level of documentation that you’ll need to be aware of beforehand. Every country has different policies regarding how foreigners can enter and the requirements for doing so. To make an informed decision, research the work permit or visa requirements of your desired country. You should also start early, as the visa application process can be lengthy.

Depending on the country where you’d like to work, work visa requirements may include a valid passport, letter of invitation or certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor (if you’ve been offered a job), travel insurance, health care insurance, proof of English proficiency, and more.

You can get more specific requirements from the official website of your desired country. In addition, you need to be aware of the relevant fees and work visas you’re qualified for and their limitations. Without a work visa, you won’t be able to secure a job overseas. The reason is that for most foreign countries, a work visa is a mandatory requirement and companies have to comply.

You shouldn’t only be aware of your skill set and the value and solutions you can provide in your industry. You should also know the current state of the job market in your desired area. Is the labor market competitive? Is the economy favorable? What is the cost of living? What are typical wages? Which organizations are hiring? How much recognition do your qualifications have in this market?

To discover job postings related to your specialty or industry, check the official website of your desired country. Usually, the government has resources for specific industries that need workers. Virtual job fairs can also be an avenue for you to interact with recruiters and gain a deeper understanding of their overall focus, specific job description, and more. Many career sites host virtual job fairs.

You also want to research the career prospects and market trends in your desired area. This information is important because it determines if your skills will be relevant in the long term or more suited for short-term work.

You’ve researched work visa requirements and the local job market, but how do you find open positions and apply? A job search platform like Joblist can help streamline your international job search by compiling a set of personalized job matches all in one place. Our platform lists job openings in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. You’ll also be able to save your favorite job openings and come back to apply to them later. A quality job search website can keep you up to date on new job postings and help you narrow down your search to specific areas where you want to work.

We even go a step further by providing relevant information on work visas, labor market trends, and career reports through the Joblist blog.

Now that you know your desired job location and current job openings, it’s time to work on your resume. Your resume gives you an opportunity to display your top skills and highlight your best qualities in a way that can make you stand out. In fact, it’s perhaps the most important aspect of your job application. Before working on your resume, make sure to read the requirements listed in the job posting to understand what the international company is looking for.

Localizing your resume means tailoring it in a way that helps put you on the priority list among potential interviewees. How do you do this? Read through the job description carefully to understand the key expectations of the prospective employer. Fine-tune your resume in a way that shows you can meet the requirements and expectations. During the job application process, ensure your cover letter reflects them, as well.

You should also make sure your resume reflects the country’s culture in terms of the number of pages, format, and word spelling, to name a few.

You can increase your chances of getting hired by honing the skills required for your desired job. How do you go about this? There are many ways. For a start, you can return to school for a postgraduate degree in your desired industry, enroll in a professional certification program, or take on an internship. Attending conferences, seminars, and webinars can also be a great way to connect with and learn from experts.

Credible blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels can also be quite helpful, allowing you to gain valuable knowledge on current industry trends, which is one thing employers look out for. You can even enroll in a course to teach English as a first language (TEFL) or get certified in other language institutes.

When aiming to work abroad, connections from colleagues, friends, family, religious institutions, previously attended schools, or former places of work can come in handy. Kindly reach out to them to gather detailed insight on the best job postings. Your local connection might be able to provide recommendations that’ll fast-track your selection. In addition, past acquaintances might be affiliated with an international organization that fits your skill sets.

You can tap into the power of social media to connect to your desired job. For example, if you seek to work in Canada, it can be a good idea to follow Canadian companies or experts in your industry who live there. That way, you can get firsthand information on available jobs, the application process, and inside tips on getting an interview.

Building a professional profile on LinkedIn and other social media platforms can also make it easier for you to get seen and contacted. You might even be able to apply for a job directly on the platform.

Congratulations! You’ve submitted your job application and now have a virtual interview scheduled. You’ll want to start planning and perfecting your job interview skills.

Think about scheduling a mock interview with a friend or family member to check your level of preparedness and ability to answer questions naturally. Mock interviews can boost your confidence and help you avoid relying on scripted answers, which can seem rehearsed. Also, ensure your computer camera and microphone are functioning well in advance. Regardless of the video conferencing software like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, these tools need to function optimally for the interview to work.

On the interview day, dress professionally, stay in a quiet place with appropriate lighting, and ensure you have a stable internet connection. Among other things, keep your body language natural and try to establish rapport with the interviewer.

While you wait for interview feedback or a final decision regarding your hiring, it’s a good idea to practice patience by not dwelling too much on your performance. Most hiring managers will give you an idea of when to expect a response. It can also be good to ask politely after the interview. However, if you don’t get feedback after the given time, give it a few more days and send them a friendly and polite email.

Waiting is no fun. However, it’s important to understand that most companies have a lengthy hiring process. Instead of refreshing your email every half-hour, lean into your current job or work on projects around your home. You can also spend this time updating your portfolio, taking online courses, and sharpening your skills.

If you end up not getting the job, though, handle it gracefully. You never know what better opportunity awaits you. Perseverance, persistence, and patience are key!

Landing a job overseas can take time and patience, but it’s worth it. Whether you’re looking for an international job or something a little closer to home, Joblist makes it easy to find the best jobs for you with a curated list of job matches.

Take our job quiz by answering a few questions, and we’ll provide personalized job matches based on your specific preferences. You can even save jobs to your list and apply for them later. Our blog is also a great resource, with articles on everything from explaining what work visas are to writing a message to a hiring manager in another country.