Do you have any big resolutions for 2021? I’m not talking about promising to go the gym a bit more every week, or saying that you’ll finally get round to learning how to play the guitar that has been gathering dust in the corner of the room for far too long?
I’m talking really big ideas that will upend your world. One such idea is the notion of upping sticks and working abroad. While it sounds exciting and invigorating, it is also seen as a step that involves so much effort that you would all too easily be put off for fear of failure.
Luckily, I’ve found a few ways to navigate the murky water of trying a new life in a different country, especially if you happen to specialise in a specific industry or nice like medicine, IT, or teaching. Thanks to advice from the experts at Odyssey Recruitment, who help medical professionals from the UK find employment everywhere from Canada to New Zealand, here are some of the ways you can figure out how to work abroad without creating headaches.
Learn about equivalency
If you’re working within an industry like medicine or construction, you may have a higher level of experience at your age than someone the same age in another country. Leaning into this, you can uncover job opportunities abroad, which are better paying and will let you work through equivalency, i.e. you don’t need to undertake any exams/have different qualifications for the role.
If you really know your stuff and have the documentation to prove it, your skills could see you better off in another country.
Know what documentation you need
One stumbling block with working within a specific industry in another country is that qualification levels may not line up and match perfectly. When this is the case, you might need to have documents translated or qualifications verified by a third party.
Some employers may let you pursue a new role while documents are in the process of being checked, while others will not allow you to work until your skills can be verified. That doesn’t take into account visas and residency permits. Do some research into the timeframes for such in the countries you’re noticing good job opportunities.
Don’t try moving everything on your own
When I say “moving on your own” I’m talking about literally moving the things you own. Learning how to get your personal items shipped to another country isn’t the same as loading it up in a moving van and giving the driver directions. While it can be expensive, you’ll be surprised at how competitive the international market is, helping drive down the price of moving everything from your favourite chair to your books. The same goes for pets too.
Figure out how you’ll get paid
Imagine making a move to another country, working hard for the first month, and then finding out your employer can’t pay you because you’re still using your native bank account. Look up how you can get a bank account in another country at the same time you’re looking at the documentation required.
While you might be able to use your existing account, if it is with an international bank like Santander or HSBC, you don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you’re locked out of getting your wages for a prolonged period.
Look for recruiters who help with everything!
Taking a step back and looking at everything I’ve just mentioned in this post, you might think that moving abroad is going to be one big headache from the get-go. Truth be told, it can be surprisingly easy if you manage to find a recruiter who deals with all these and more. When you’re based within a specialism, seek out recruiters who have jobs abroad you’d be interested in, and ask them if they help with the likes of visas and moving your stuff, or if they know of companies who can help. When it’s in their interest to help secure a job for you, they’ll know other companies to talk to.
I hope you found this information helpful if you’re feeling the urge to move abroad. You’ll be surprised at how many opportunities there are out there.
