Finding and applying for foreign jobs can be a daunting undertaking. Here are four practical actions to take in order to find and secure work overseas.
Moving overseas is a dream for many people, but getting an international career can be difficult. Even the most seasoned travelers are put off by not knowing where to begin or how to proceed. Finding a job and transferring to another nation is unlike any other type of travel you’ve experienced – and that’s a good thing! Living abroad is a fascinating experience that can foster both personal and professional development.
Are you prepared to work in another country? We’ll show you how to apply for employment abroad in four simple steps.
Step 1: Search for employment in other countries using international job boards.
The first and most difficult stage in applying for jobs abroad is checking international job boards and identifying a position in the country or countries where you want to work abroad. Because there is no clear-cut paradigm for finding work abroad, this stage might be perplexing, but organizations like the Go Overseas Job Board can assist you assess open positions that are recruiting globally.
Don’t limit your foreign employment search to a single source! When attempting to determine how to acquire a job in another country, branching out and researching these many choices concurrently can boost your chances of finding the ideal employment.
Networking
In almost every case, networking is a necessary skill set for getting a job. Nowadays, networking is done both the old-fashioned manner – through word of mouth, friends, and parties – and online. Through groups on social media platforms like LinkedIn, you can often locate communities of digital nomads and foreign job seekers, as well as organizations looking to hire them. Finding online organizations with similar work interests is a great way to start developing international contacts and may even lead to your first overseas employment.
Make your profile stand out by highlighting your interests, experiences, and objectives. But don’t just sit there and wait; do action. Connect with people who hire on behalf of prospective companies in other countries. Send them a message asking for advice. Maintain your presence in these Linkedin and Facebook groups and interact with people who post content of interest to you. Apply for every job that piques your interest, even if it’s a long shot.
Our best advice: is to use your alumni organization to make contacts if you graduated from university. See what your other alums are up to, and reach out to those who live in countries where you’d like to work. Alumni events can also be a great way to expand your professional network.
Don’t just sit back and watch; take the initiative. Connect with people who hire on behalf of prospective companies in other countries. Every day, review the job ads depending on your choices.
Job fairs in other countries
Look for jobs in your neighborhood and go to international job fairs. overseas job fairs are another approach to uncover companies looking for new employees for their overseas headquarters. You might even receive an on-the-spot interview, but at the very least, you’ll get your foot in the door.
Our best advice: A fast Google search for “overseas job fair” or “abroad job fair” followed by the name of your nearest city will most likely yield at least one possibility.
Companies from around the world are hiring for positions in other countries.
Rather than applying directly through a UK company in the aim of moving to London, apply for positions with US companies that have offices all over the world. Price Waterhouse Coopers, Wells Fargo, Datacom, Hilton, and Conde Nast, to mention a few, are global corporations. They’re looking for folks who are eager to travel and relocate abroad for a variety of roles.
The main disadvantage of applying for overseas positions in this manner is that you may have to wait a year or more for your firm to relocate you abroad. They’ll want to train you locally and give you time to settle in before sending you off.
Our top recommendation: This strategy is ideal for individuals who desire to work in hotels. When an American hotel chain establishes a new site abroad, one of the most important things it need is English speakers who are familiar with the company and its operations. Furthermore, most large chains have locations all over the world.
International job posting sites
There are excellent tools for locating opportunities almost anyplace in the world in which you are interested, but it is critical to focus your search to the particular country or collection of countries. When you find a post that interests you, you should also find out if they sponsor overseas workers. Certain job descriptions will state that they are open to sponsorship. Indeed has country-specific sections where you may search for job opportunities in your desired country.
Our top tip: Some websites even include a filter to help you search for companies that are exclusively looking for US residents or English speakers. You may even be able to set up email job alerts to be the first to apply for freshly posted employment.
US government jobs abroad
The US government certainly offers more foreign job opportunities to its residents than any commercial enterprise, and they can also simply arrange your visa with other countries. Furthermore, the US government virtually always requires US residents to work for it at all times, so if you’re an American, you’ll face less competition than in non-government professions.
Our top tip: Using the US government to search for and apply for employment abroad is simple. Go to USAJobs.gov, type in the type of job you want and the country where you want to work, and a list of available positions will appear. You can apply on the website directly.
International hiring managers
There are entire agencies that operate on behalf of multinational corporations to find workers from all over the world. Using a recruitment firm eliminates the burden of hunting for jobs abroad and companies willing to sponsor, but it comes at a cost. Make sure you thoroughly understand any contract you sign with a recruitment firm, as they may expect a portion of your future paychecks in exchange for finding you a job in another country. It may not be much, but be conscious of it.
Our best advice: Recruiting agencies are easy to find online. Simply Google “recruiters for jobs abroad” and contact agencies in your region.
In-person applications for abroad jobs are accepted.
This approach is hazardous, but it will undoubtedly demonstrate your dedication. Simply arrive in a place and begin applying in person or setting up interviews while there. Though the internet is a terrific resource, nothing beats actually being in a location and meeting people. While working in another nation on a visitor’s visa is usually unlawful, looking for job is not. In addition, many nations provide working holiday visas, which allow you to travel and work for a defined period of time.
Our top tip: If you enter a country on a tourist visa, you will almost certainly need to leave the country while you arrange work permits and visas.
Internship or study abroad as a bonus
Although somewhat uncommon, studying or interning abroad is one approach to meet with global companies hiring. There are numerous internship and study abroad opportunities available. If you know you want to work in a foreign country, take advantage of these options to get your foot in the door. Sometimes you have to spend money in order to make money!
Intern abroad: An internship in a foreign city allows you to demonstrate your abilities as a worker while also beginning to build an international professional network. Several program providers, such AIFS and Hutong School, as well as IFSA-Butler, may actually connect people with internships overseas so they don’t have to go through the effort of locating one on their own. Internships can also be obtained through your university and/or completed in addition to studying abroad.
Visa possibilities for interns are usually much easier to obtain than actual work permits. Make the most of this opportunity and make it plain to your manager at the end that you want to stay.
Studying abroad: Studying abroad provides the same prospects to either get an internship or at the very least develop contacts for potential employers, but getting a college degree from a university overseas is one way to essentially assure yourself a spot working abroad. If a country trains and educates you, they will usually try to keep you there to work. Fortunately, most countries’ student visa applications are simple and uncomplicated.
Our top tip: Many student visas, such as those in Australia, allow overseas students not only to work up to a set number of hours while in school, but also to stay for a year following graduation to work full time. Once you have a full-time job or a reference from a company in the nation, you will be in a great position to acquire sponsorship to stay on a working visa.
Step 2: Submit an application targeted to your intended destination country.
Start applying for jobs once you’ve found one you know you’re qualified for. Isn’t it as simple as that?
Nope!
Even if you speak the same language as the country where you’re searching for jobs, not everything operates in the same way or is referred to by the same name, so you’ll need to do some research to ensure your application is on their terms. Otherwise, your application will be relegated to the bottom of the stack.
The following suggestions can help you prepare your CV and cover letter:
Understand the correct terminology: If you’re searching for a job in England, for example, Google “CV England” rather than “resume England,” because they call a resume a curriculum vitae (CV).
Photo or no photo? Look for or ask someone from the country if they include images in their applications, cover letters, and so on.
Spelling is important: Different spelling conventions apply in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada, for example (defense vs. defense and honor vs. honor).
Use the most prevalent contact methods in the country: Include email addresses and phone numbers, as well as sign up for Whatsapp, Zoom, and Skype, so you’re ready to conduct an online interview whenever that employer calls you.
Investigate the company and personalize your CV to each position: Before applying, go over the company’s website, particularly its mission statement and about us page, to get a better sense of its basic principles. The more you know about the firm before an interview, the better your chances of connecting with the recruiter and demonstrating your sincerity about the role.
Don’t be hesitant to discuss why they should hire you despite the hassle of sponsorship in your cover letter. What distinguishes you from the competition? What distinguishes you, and what will you contribute to that role that they are now lacking?
Hiring an overseas employee is a significant risk that can cost a firm a lot of money. You must demonstrate to them that you are worth it and that you are prepared for it. Discuss your passion for that location, their organization, and why you want to join their team. Nothing thrills an employer more than someone who understands and believes in their company.
Step 3: Fill out a visa application.
You received the job, but your work is not yet completed. Visas and work permits cost time, money, and a lot of information on your behalf. You will be required to provide medical tests, police records, and other documents. You’ll need a passport, and you might have to go to the embassy for an interview. To find out exactly what you need, go to the consulate website of your target country. Websites such as VisaGuide.World can also help you understand the criteria.
Before looking for work overseas, it’s crucial that you understand every step of the visa procedure and the proper forms to fill out. Once you’ve found a work that will sponsor you, make sure you remain on top of the visa process and complete everything as soon as possible.
It’s critical that you understand every step of the visa procedure, as well as the proper documents to fill out, before you start looking for work.
Step 4: Pack your belongings and hit the trip.
Working overseas may seem impossible at first, but it is doable if you set your mind to it and refuse to give up. Breaking the procedure down into smaller parts, such as those outlined in this post, will make it less intimidating and, believe us, well worth it.
The fresh and deeper understanding you’ll gain by joining an international workforce is unlike any other travel experience you’ve had. Working in another country rather than simply visiting helps you to immerse yourself in the culture and have a more meaningful experience.
Above all, have fun with the process. With patience and tenacity, you’ll soon be packing your belongings and heading out to your new home.