Finding a job in a new country can be tough. For starters, you’re probably not there, so you don’t know anyone. But if you can pull it off, it’s almost guaranteed to be a fantastic adventure. So what are some smart ways to find a job abroad? Here are four things I’ve learned as an expat living in India about finding a job in another country.
First, consider getting a job with a multinational company in your home country and then ask for a transfer when the time is right. The typical company will be invested in looking after you, you will know the work culture and working abroad probably will help your career progression.
On the downside, the company’s overseas operations may not be where you want to live or you may have to take a lateral transfer or even a demotion.
Multinational company employment is the best choice in terms of pay packet, moving expenses, visas and personal security. It worked for me in 1995, when my Virginia-based employer had an unexpected vacancy for a tech guy in Australia. Hello, Sydney!
Second, think about taking a course. Apply for a training program or graduate school in the country where you hope to work. If you do, you will find that visas are usually simple, you will learn something, you will build an instant social network among your fellow students and you will be able to look for work while studying. Another benefit is that employers usually don’t see training programs or school as a negative break in your career.
But, you will be out-of-pocket for your expenses, you may have to study in a language in which you’re not fluent and the quality of the program may vary, which means your new qualification may not be worth much.
Overall, this is a good low-risk approach, if you have sufficient savings.
Third, you can apply for work directly with a company in the country you’re interested in. If you get hired, you will have achieved your goal of working abroad in one step.
Visas, however, can be tricky with this option. You also run the risk of being treated as a local hire with local pay but without the local knowledge to make that pay stretch. And, you won’t know much about what you’re getting into unless you’re willing to fly out and do a reconnaissance, which is expensive.
This is the high-risk approach, so your chances of getting hired are very low. It works best if you’re applying to the foreign branch of a multinational company that you already know something about.
Your fourth option is applying for an internship abroad. It’s much easier to get hired in this scenario because you have a lower risk entry point and usually a fixed term (8-12 weeks) that may fit into a long vacation as a trial run. You also don’t have to apply to a school or training institute, and the visas are usually easy.
On the other hand, you don’t get paid a professional rate and you may not get the type of work you were expecting.
Companies more often are willing to take a chance on interns than on making a permanent job offer. It’s also lower risk for you, since firms often have a guesthouse for interns and expect you to take some time to get a feel for the place before deciding if it’s a good fit for you, as well as the company.
I set up a business in India called ConnectInc that does just that, placing young professionals from the U.S. and the U.K. with top-tier Indian companies, for a small fee. Or you could do what I did to move to India: marry a citizen of the country!
Whichever option you choose, know that there will be some rocky times when you move for work to a new country. But the experience will change your life, most likely for the better. Good luck!
Guest blogger Matt Wennersten is an international education consultant and entrepreneur based in Chennai, India.
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