Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
What should a job seeker do to find work opportunities based in another country?
“In order to find work abroad, you first need to determine your destination,” said James Prior, founder of Global English teaching website DoTEFL. “You should consider where you want to work, what type of work you want to do, and the cost of living there.”
But after these common-sense basics, what comes next? Consider these five steps on how to search for and land a job abroad.
1. Obtain Work Permits or Visas First
While people usually start with finding the job itself and don’t think about work permits or visas until the end of the process, Alex Alexakis, founder and CEO at digital marketing and web development company PixelChefs, believes this is not the right order.
“If you are determined already to move somewhere, you should first research the documentation you’ll need to get this done because nothing’s worse than having the job of your dreams in your hand but simply not being able to go.”
Melissa Terry, who works in HR at VEM Tooling, agrees that you should research the requirements for working in your target country and obtain the required documentation “as early as possible.”
2. Research Job Opportunities in Countries of Interest
In order to find work abroad, you first need to determine your destination. You should consider where you want to work, what type of work you want to do, and the cost of living there.
The next step to take when looking for job opportunities abroad is to see what the scope of openings is like for your field in the international markets of the countries you are specifically interested in, according to Alexakis.
“You can obviously do this by visiting the workplace websites or job search sites, but you can also try reaching out to people working in those positions for their insights and personal experiences,” said Alexakis, who leads a team that is working entirely remotely across the U.S. and the U.K.
As you research potential countries and employers, Terry advises job seekers to consider factors such as the local job market, cost of living, and cultural differences.
“Look for job openings at international companies or organizations, or consider working remotely for a company based in your home country,” Terry said.
3. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
Don’t use the same resume and cover letter for your domestic job applications that you use to apply for opportunities abroad.
“Tailor your application materials to the specific country and job market you are targeting,” Terry said. “Consider including any relevant international experience or language skills.”
Prior suggests that you can start tailoring your resume to the country of your destination and highlight any skills or experience that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. “The next step is to search for and apply to job openings using online job search websites or by reaching out directly to the companies there,” Prior continued.
As you update your job search materials, think about what employers in your target company, industry, and country are looking for.
“If you want to work abroad, you must put yourself in the shoes of your potential employer and honestly ask yourself, why should they hire you? What abilities do you bring to the table that they may not be able to find locally?” said Jennie Miller, co-founder of MIDSS (Medical Inspiration Daily for Stronger Society), an online health and wellness publication, and an immigrant from Vietnam who moved to the U.S. in search of a job.
“These questions may appear unsettling at first but will provide you with all the information you require. You will not find a job abroad simply because you ‘want’ to work abroad; you must clearly demonstrate the value that you would provide the employer, sometimes even before they offer you a job.”
4. Network With Professionals Abroad
By speaking with people who are based in the country you’d like to work in and who are working in your industry, you can potentially gain access to more firsthand experiences.
“If you network with these individuals well, they’ll be able to inform you of any new opportunities or good places you can find work through their insider information,” Alexakis said.
Terry added that when it comes to making connections, in addition to reaching out to individuals in your field abroad, you should attend job fairs and events (you can find these virtually as well) and join relevant professional organizations. “Having a strong network can improve your chances of finding job opportunities,” Terry said.
Miller said when she was conducting a job search abroad, she networked with highly connected people, such as startup mentors, angel investors, venture capitalists, and others involved with startups, and they were able to provide her with useful introductions.
“Aim to work with startups, rather than established companies, because they are hungrier for exceptional talent and are more likely to give you a chance,” Miller said. “I immersed myself completely in the startup ecosystem — read: Silicon Valley — which paid off handsomely for my career.”
She added that as you’re networking, it helps to create a strong personal brand and use social media to spread the word. “It is very easy to put yourself out there and connect with everyone you admire or want to work with in this day and age,” Miller said.
5. Prepare for Cultural Differences
If you’ve taken all of the steps above and are primed to land a job abroad, there’s some emotional preparation that can put you ahead of your competitors.
“Working abroad can come with its challenges, such as adapting to a new culture and navigating unfamiliar social norms,” Terry said. “Researching and understanding these differences can help you better prepare for your new job and work environment.”
As part of this final preparation, brush up on your language skills.
“Depending on where you want to work, speaking the local language at a professional level may be necessary,” Terry said. “Consider taking language classes or finding language exchange partners to practice with.”
