How to Find a New Job Abroad

Finding a job in the United States is tough enough, but what about landing your dream job in a new country? How to find a new job abroad is a question we get every day from aspiring expats just like you, so we went looking for expert answers.

Fortunately, we were able to track down a global expert on international careers in Singapore. Megan Fitzgerald is a long-time expat and international career coach. Her company, Career By Choice, helps expats accelerate their careers abroad.

“Finding a job abroad is much more challenging than finding a job in your homeland,” Fitzgerald said. “I think a lot of people think getting a job abroad is like getting a job at home, but there is just so much more research that has to go into it in terms of understanding market needs, visa requirements, language skills demands and other factors.”

Fitzgerald believes that figuring out why you want to go abroad is the first step you should take. “For some people it is quality of life. They really do want to live in another culture and experience something different. For others, it is about career advancement. They want global experience because they believe it is going to help them leapfrog through positions to advance their careers. For some it is a learning experience, they want to learn a new language. And some just want to earn a lot of money for a couple of years. You should base your planning objectives first and foremost on why you want to move abroad.”

Having a savings plan also is a good idea . “You want to create a little cushion for yourself so you will have money for the unexpected expenses that may occur, or if something happens and you have to get yourself back home,” she said. “People often run into trouble because expatriation is an expensive process and they stretch their finances too thin.”

Fitzgerald also recommended landing a job before landing in your new country. “I always say get the job first because when you go there, you will have just a short period of time. Tourist visas do not provide the amount of time necessary to land a proper job, at least one that is in your area of interest or one that is going to provide a livable wage or a wage that is going to support the lifestyle that you are looking for.”

One of the job trends Fitzgerald noted is increasing opportunities for younger people because they are seen as less pricey, more mobile and lower risk. “A lot of younger people understand the value of the international experience, so they are willing to go to places that someone with a family may not be willing to go, and take on challenges that might be a little more on the risky side,” Fitzgerald explained.

Whether you are younger or a bit older, many of the same job qualifications that exist in your home country also exist abroad. Fitzgerald pointed out that qualities like strong verbal and written communication skills, trustworthiness, resilience, flexibility and the ability to adjust and adapt are what employers look for, no matter where you are.

The job hunt abroad is not without its challenges, though. Expats may face difficulties if they are not mentally prepared for how much culture can impact the process.

“Do not assume that the way the world operates where you are is the same elsewhere,” Fitzgerald said. “That is where a lot of people run into trouble, whether it is how they access opportunities, how they apply for a job, how they build relationships and network, how they interview and how they negotiate salary. All these things can be very, very impacted by the culture and location.”

“Insensitivity to culture and not understanding how the target culture engages are barriers that a lot of people just do not think about enough,” Fitzgerald said. “It is sort of the ‘Achilles heel’ for a lot of people. You need to keep an open mind and be receptive to learning how things are done in the country.”