Looking for a Job Abroad? Check Out These Tips

Sometimes, the job opportunities that surround you in your current country of residence may not be to your standard.

Other times, they may not align with your area of speciality.

So, after months of searching for jobs to no avail, you think of the next best solution – find a job in another country. Of course, new countries, especially developed ones, have job vacancies for various specialities.

This means that finding your niche and qualifying for the job should not be hard if you know what you are doing.

Now, before you pack your bags and hop on a flight to where you believe your dream job lies, explore these tips to make the job-finding process as a foreigner an easy one.

Job-finding can bring benefits but it can be a waste of effort if you don’t do it right.

 

Have a Career Plan

Having no plan is setting yourself up for failure.

The thing about finding a job in a foreign country is that you cannot be as spontaneous with your applications as you would be in your home country.

You need to have an outline of the kinds of jobs you want and what you expect to benefit from them. You cannot say your plan for finding a job in a foreign country is to do ‘anything’ available.

Firstly, that is not a plan. Secondly, with your qualifications, you will most likely be disappointed by the ‘anything’ that comes your way.

You should focus your job-finding in areas where you are skilled and very qualified. Any other job-finding activity you’re doing that doesn’t fall under your career plan is a waste of time and effort.

 

Use Job-finding Websites

After setting out a career plan, you may ask yourself: How do I find the jobs I want?

Of course, you are not physically present to see their ‘hiring now’ posters. Nor are you on their mailing list to be a beneficiary of their latest messages.

Thankfully, the internet makes things easier for us. A quick input of ‘Job vacancies abroad’ on any search engine will produce countless results.

However, you must beware that there are fake websites which carry fake job vacancies. To put you on a path, here are four websites you can visit for job vacancies abroad:

• Go Abroad
• CareerJet
• Indeed Worldwide
• Oversea Jobs

 

Work on Your Resumé

You should always sound the alarm in your head as a reminder that things are not the same in a foreign country as it is in your country of residence.

When finding a job abroad, you should know that other foreigners and country locals are fighting for the same job as you. Your resumé needs to tell your potential employers why they should hire you and not their locals.

So, work on your resumé. That is what the employers will meet before they meet you.

Sell yourself as best you can and be positive all the way.

More importantly, your resumé should match the country you are applying to. Be sure to do research on the acceptable resumé format in that country and then adapt yours to reflect those standards.

 

Don’t Apply for Every Job You Find

You might be tempted to post your application on numerous job vacancy posts. However, it isn’t wise to apply for every job vacancy that shows up on your screen.

While it is wise not to put all your eggs in one basket, spreading out your application even to jobs you are not qualified for is a waste of resources.

Instead, use your career plan to target job openings and apply where you see fit.

Don’t send your applications as a gamble (whichever one enters). Focusing on two to three applications will make you give your all in your resumé and cover letters.

However, imagine having to write 15 cover letters within a 24-hour deadline. Not only will you have to rush through writing them, but when there is an error, you wouldn’t have the time to cross-check and correct it.

 

Apply for Jobs that Sponsor Work Visas

Before you can apply or be granted a work visa, your employer has to present documents to the government of their country on your behalf proving that they’re hiring you.

In the United States, only 5% of employers sponsor work visas. Imagine you get a job with one firm out of the other 95% and they cannot sponsor you. That is wasted effort and time.

In applying for a job abroad, you need to be sure that your work visa will be sponsored if you eventually get the job. Deliberately target your applications to such firms. And if it doesn’t state whether you will be sponsored or not, be sure to ask if you are called up for an interview.

 

Establish Connections

We live in a world where networking has become of great importance. The truth is, sometimes people get jobs not because they merited them but because someone who knew them pitched them to the employer.

You need to establish some form of network with people who you know have jobs in the country or firm you have your eyes on. This will give you an edge in the race against other people who are equally qualified for the job.

 

Conclusion

These tips should set you on the right path to getting that job abroad.

Remember to keep a positive and open mind and follow adequate but legal steps. Your employment in a foreign country is just around the corner.