Restarting Careers Abroad: Tips for a Smooth Transition

Moving abroad for work is a fairly common strategy, but sometimes, people move before landing a new position. That could relate to packing your stuff and hoping to interview once you settle down. 

In other cases, you might move together with your significant other because they received an incredible job opportunity. In any case, you are left to rebuild your career, which can be stressful and challenging, but if done right, it can be rewarding and exciting. 

In this article, we help you prepare for your life abroad and to reestablish your career to avoid lagging in your area of expertise. 

Is it possible to stay in your current position?

Not all jobs require your physical presence: for many office jobs, your presence is pleasant, but not essential. So, you could speak with your manager and HR about continuing to work for the company from a different city or even a different country. 

• Be open about your desire to stay with the company, but explain that life circumstances are at play and that you need to move. 
• This option is much more achievable if your manager is satisfied with your work and you have been with the company for at least a few years. Unfortunately, new hires are unlikely to get this privilege.
• Consider negotiating a flexible hybrid-working model in which you visit the office 1-2 times per month. 

Option to start something on your own

If you prefer to stay at home for a bit, you could start offering freelance services or become a gig worker to maintain a flexible schedule. Consider looking into options like Porch, which connects gig workers with people looking for help with home repairs or pet care. 

Also, don’t forget to take advantage of smaller money-earning opportunities, such as using services like Honeygain to sell internet data. Then, you can get paid for sharing unused internet bandwidth, which doesn’t affect your personal browsing experience. 

Continue your professional learning 

Your new home might offer many career growth opportunities, including learning programs and courses you can enroll in locally. However, if your area is more remote, consider dedicating some time to learn from online courses. They can make your resume look more impressive, especially if you’re struggling to land a position in the new city.

Do your homework before moving

Start your job hunt even before moving to the new city or country. After all, finding a position can take more than half a year, so it is not something you should save until you have fully settled into your new home. 

• Analyze the companies in the city or area, and see which of them have positions in your field. 
• Even if a company doesn’t have a relevant opening, be bold and email them your resume. Don’t forget to attach a cover letter, which highlights your motivation and suitability for the position. 

Get to know the local customs and work etiquette 

This tip is particularly helpful if you are moving to a less familiar country. After all, they might have different customs and work etiquette, which eliminates you from the running of getting hired without you even realizing it. So, take time to research the general rules of work in that country and the general ways to become more hireable there.

Learn the language

In some countries, you must know the local language to get hired for certain positions. Of course, becoming a master in a foreign tongue takes time, and we don’t expect you to pick it up fully in months or even in a year. However, signing up for language courses and putting in the effort shows great determination and respect for their culture. So, even if you can speak a few phrases, it can still impress recruiters. 

Conclusion

Moving can be an exciting venture, but it also forces you to face certain career challenges. For one, you might have to bid goodbye to your current company, taking a gamble with the upcoming hiring prospects. However, if you take the time to learn the customs, start learning a new language, polish your resume, and begin analyzing companies in the area, you will have a smoother transition into your new lifestyle.