Story time:
At the age of 21, our co-founder worked at a tiny, Swedish stationary store tucked away in the heart of London whilst she pursued her Bachelors Degree. Customer Service was at epitome of the brand she worked for and for sixteen hours a week, she would work around the store helping customers and tailoring products to suit their needs. One day, a group of Kuwaiti business-men walked into the store to buy a few planners, she asked if she could help and walked around the store explaining each product in detail, telling them what would work best for them and ensuring they were happy with her choices, she then served them at the counter and wrapped their products neatly to then wish them a wonderful day ahead. Before leaving, the intrigued businessmen asked where she was from and what she studied, they asked her about her studies and her career aspirations, to which she said..
“I’ve been hired to work as an English teacher in Chengdu, China this summer. I’ve always wanted to work abroad since I was 16 years old”. To this he replied “why China? why not the Gulf? we are from Kuwait, there is much opportunity there”. It got her thinking.. Kuwait: highest currency in the world, peaceful state, number one in fashion and food within the gulf states. She asked “What’s there for me in Kuwait”? and he said “well me and my partners run a chain of Italian restaurants and we’re looking to hire a rotating intern to join our head office, it would be great if you applied. There are 3 rounds of interviews but we think you have potential. Google us and send me an email if you’re interested”.
The businessmen left their card, smiled and continued their shopping spree whilst she stood there at the counter, thinking.. Her manager interrupted her thoughts with “I hope you’re not going to leave us” but she had always known that she would – it was her dream. After graduation, she found herself working on the 30th floor of Al-Hamra, the tallest tower in Kuwait where she could see the bright skies, heavenly waves and a soft sandy beach. She felt she had won the opportunity of a lifetime, all because she was genuine about her work.
When people ask her how to start searching for opportunities abroad, she tells them a few pointers:
1) You are a walking resume! wherever you work or go, you never know who will find an interest. Companies are always on the lookout for new hires, so make yourself visible. Start at work, fairs, grow your online presence on spaces like Linkedin, be good to the people around you and show real interest in the work that you do.
2) Actively search whilst abroad. When on holiday, reach out to businesses for a quick chat via Linkedin. Go to events and network! Making friends with the right person could land you your dream job. Remember, they are references!
3) For every job title you want, apply to a thousand jobs. Make yourself visible, take out a week to go on an application spree. Recruiters are paid to find you – so find them first. Reach out to them for positions you’re interested in and ask for a referral code. Referral application links are prioritised by companies. Reach out because have nothing to lose!
Many people have wanted to work abroad, when we see our friends enjoying work life on the beach, we get major FOMO. People seek a job overseas for various reasons—expanding horizons, exploring new places and cultures, adding international experience on the CV, good weather and a better quality of life has always been desirable. So, be it the want of soaking in a new culture or earning a higher salary, or just wanting a change – whatever the driving force, we’re here to help.
We’d like to believe that you’ve weighed your options to work abroad via a pros and cons list, and therefore we will directly jump to the steps you can follow to find that dream job abroad.
Step 1
Find YOUR country
When the world is your oyster, choosing the best country to live in will not be easy. So, size down on the countries that you truly see yourself working in. Do your research thoroughly, and once you’ve picked your top three countries to relocate to, power up your research. Don’t limit yourself to online research, ‘real-life’ research is just as important. Ask friends, colleagues, family, alumni network or anyone who you believe may know a thing or two about working in the countries you have shortlisted.
Talk to the right person and gather the information and advice you’d need to get started. Begin to network with people already working there – Linkedin, social media and networking events are your best friend.
If you’re working in a Multinational company (MNC) in your home country and it has an office in one of the countries on your list, you can also explore the option to relocating within your organisation – reach out to your management and HR to see how they can help.
Step 2
Sort your skills
Your talent, skills and experience are the only valuables when looking for a job abroad. Make sure you list down all the relevant skills needed for the role you wish to apply for. You can do this by checking job descriptions generally and then searching for jobs on LinkedIn and checking the job requirements. You can also go one step further and search for people who are already working in your desired role and read their profile – they may have listed their day-to-day duties and accomplishments. Always feel free to connect with them and reach out for advice or a general conversation. The more skills you gather, the better.
Thereafter ensure that all of your skills and accomplishments are highlighted and unmissable in your resume and your LinkedIn profile – What task were you in charge of and what did the company accomplish from it. Note that language skills are key when you’re looking to work in a new country, so, if you know the native tongue, let it be known to the recruiter. Learning the language is also a plus!
Step 3
Create a Resume
Jobs in various countries might have different requirements so not every job post will be the same. Read the requirements and tailor your resume to the job post. Use a simple but effective template for your resume. You can choose a template from Canva or make your own on Pages or Keynote. Like we said before, add all of the relevant skills for the position you’re applying and highlight them in your resume. Make sure you spell the keywords according to the English language —UK or US spoken in the country.
Some job applications might require a cover letter, so keep keep one handy. If you wish to go the extra mile, you can also shoot a short video introducing yourself and your experience and tell the employer why you are great for the position and how you are able to impact the organisation.
Step 4
Launch your job search
Leave no platform unturned when looking for a job abroad. Check the local job portals of the country you wish to move to. You can also look for jobs abroad on LinkedIn, Monster.com, Indeed, Glassdoor and other international job sites.
While applying remember to check if the company where you are applying is interested in sponsoring expats. Some jobs clearly mention that they’re open to sponsorship.
After you apply, don’t just sit back and wait. Connect with the hiring managers of the companies where you have applied. You can even send them a message seeking advice or asking a question. Apply for every job that seems interesting to you even if you don’t have all the requisites listed in the job description – tailor your resume and show them you want to make an impact.
Besides looking for jobs online you can also attend ‘International Jobs Fairs’. These are pretty common in a lot of countries. Google for one that’s being conducted closest to you and check if they offer anything that may be of interest.
Step 5
Pick your type of employer
When searching for a job abroad it’s ideal to keep your options open, but if you’re the picky kind and have a list of organisations where you would like to work for —direct your research there. Find all the information on companies via the internet or your social circle, and network with people who are already employed there. Do your best to understand the company, its employees and culture.
Inform your social network that you wish to work for these organisations, it might help you connect with the right people faster than you had anticipated.
Step 6
Working holiday visa
If time, budget and your will allow, visit the country you intend to move to for a short stint first. This will help you familiarise yourself with the culture, people and give you an idea of what’s in store. Sometimes reality is different from your imagination and it’s always better to trial before you decide.
Many countries like Japan, Australia, Ireland, France etc. provide working holiday visa to citizens of certain countries. A working holiday visa is a residence permit that allows you to work in the country issuing the visa to supplement your travel funds. Check if your list of shortlisted countries has the option for your citizenship. This might not be helpful to you if you’re above 35.
In case you follow this step, make sure you meet recruiters and attend networking events for expats when you’re visiting.
Step 7
Prep up for video interviews
A good first impression goes a long way in the world of employment, so look the part. A job abroad will mostly involve rounds of interviews online, and being prepared for them is essential. Create an interview space in your home with a neutral background, good lighting and minimal disturbance.
Do not hesitate in letting your recruiters know how keen you’re wanting to relocate and talk about how your experiences have grown you to be fit for the role. Always show examples of the impact your work made on your company and how you executed your tasks.
Take on these tips and you’ll be ready to start a new career abroad!