Finding a Job Abroad - the Right Things to Do

Finding a job abroad is quite a popular activity nowadays if the buzz on employment sites is anything to go by! When a country’s economy is in slowdown, many qualified youngsters start looking out for opportunities elsewhere. Working in a country different from your own gives you the opportunity to spread your wings, learn more about different work cultures and people. Of course, if you are job hunting in a country with a better economy than your own, the better pay cheques are a big attraction too!

Here are a few points to keep in mind if you are interested in finding a job abroad:

Do your Research

The very first thing to do when you decide to look for work in a different country is to do your homework. Culture, practices, and beliefs- these all vary from country to country. To give a simple example, in the Middle East weekends are Fridays and Saturdays with Sundays being working days. Learn more about the country you want to work in before you actually shift base. This way you will be prepared beforehand for the changes you will need to make.

Talking to a trustworthy person who works in that country is also a good initial step to take. Work ethics may differ in different countries too and knowing how significant the differences are will give you the right perspective on the matter.

Language Skills

In most countries across the world, a good grasp of English is quite sufficient to help you communicate at your workplace. However, to live in a foreign country you have to interact with other people there too- shopkeepers, service providers, teachers, house owners, neighbours etc. In some countries this may mean that you need to have a basic grasp of the local language too.

Ask friends who live in that country to tell you whether this is necessary. If it is, then ensure that you learn a few commonly used, essential words and sentences in the local language before you leave your home country. You might need to converse with the locals in their own language right at the airport when you disembark.

Planning and Managing your Finances

If your primary goal in working abroad is to save money for your family you should also understand how money transfers work in that country and whether there are any legal limitations on such transfers. Knowing how to send money back to your home and how to have money sent to you from home can both be very useful. If you need finances to meet an emergency expense, you can simply have it transferred to your account abroad provided you have already explored how exactly to do this.

Consider the Needs of your Family

If you are married then the shift abroad has a great deal of impact on your spouse/ family as well. Take their needs into consideration if they are moving with you. If you have children, researching schools in a foreign country is a critical step before you make the decision to move. If your spouse is employed and wishes to continue working, then the availability of job opportunities for her/ him there will need to be considered too.

About the author:

Grace loves to write about working and studying abroad, with focus on South Africa. Learn more about living abroad, working abroad, and money transfers, (with focus on money transfer to South Africa).