First, you need to be eligible to work there, probably through a valid work visa or a company sponsorship.
1. Figure out what your options are
Do you need to learn another language? What is there a demand for in that country? What skills and qualifications do you have, and will they translate well in a new place?
2. Figure out what you would enjoy doing
After researching the above, you need to find something you’ll actually like. There’s little point nannying if you hate it.
3. Have backup savings
Finding a job may be harder than you expect. Make sure you have backup funds just in case!
4. Contact people
Once you’ve chosen an occupation you’d like to pursue, get with the contacting. Use the Yellow Pages or equivalent. Search international job sites. If you already know people in the country, ask them for some advice. This can be done before you arrive, so by the time you get there you’ve already taken steps. Make sure your CV or resume fits the standards of that country.
5. Offer to do an unpaid trial
If you’re not having much luck getting a job, get your foot in the door by offering your service for free for a week. Chances are, if you work hard, they’ll find you a job after that. Or, at worst, you’ve now have some valid experience in your new country. Get a reference.
6. Join expat clubs
Hook up with fellow expats and hear their stories. Don’t take everything to heart, though, if their stories are negative. Not everyone has the same experience.
Case Study: Me
In 2000 I moved to Berlin, Germany, armed with my CELTA. I wrote to all the language schools in Berlin asking for work. I got a few rejections but landed a job with one of the best schools in town. Lucky? Definitely. And teaching in Berlin is now much more competitive than it was then. Still, put yourself out there. People will offer advice and referrals, even if they have nothing for you.
Related Reading:
Finding a job overseas from LiveAbroad.com
10 essential tips for landing a job overseas from QuintCareers.com
June 27th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Really good advice here. Thanks! Just what I needed. Although I would like to point out that sometimes it is not what you know but who you know. The importance of networking should never be underestimated!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
You’re right, networking can make all the difference!
June 29th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Working away from your home country is never easy. Contacts are key for a smooth re-location. Another thing to think about is your support system ie friends, acquintances and others that can offer a release from the people you see every day at work.
June 29th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Yeah, making new friends overseas is key. I actually wrote an article about that a few years ago. There’s always the ‘fellow expat’ option but you need to work harder sometimes to meet locals. I think I suggested things like language swaps, sports clubs, friends of friends etc.
October 30th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Do you care if I put some of this on my site if I include a backlink to this web page?
January 22nd, 2011 at 4:18 am
Hello there, just doing some browsing for my Louisiana 4g website. Can’t believe the amount of information out there. Wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but very nice site. Cya later.
December 29th, 2011 at 5:18 am
You may read it for themselves