The first rule of attempting to find work in a new country is “Everything you thought you knew about job hunting at home, disregard it.”
This may sound ill advised but adopting that attitude will provide you with the mindset required to face the challenges that will invariably present themselves.
This rule should be adhered to even more strictly if you have moved to a country which doesn’t have a language barrier. The biggest misconception harboured by English speaking migrants to English speaking countries is that it will essentially be the same as at home.
It isn’t. The acceptance of this early on in the job seeking process will go a long way to ensuring that your passage into employment is quick and relatively painless. It’s almost impossible to be tripped up by obstacles that you are expecting.
WORKING VISA?
What visa do you actually need in your destination country to enable you to work in your field? What visa do you actually need to enable you to best take advantage of the available opportunities?
Two simple questions that an alarming number of migrants simply don’t think to find the answers to. It’s all too easy. Your partner is moving job and you are handed a de-facto visa by their HR department whose only concern is that you are eligible to stay in the destination country for the duration of their tenure and you assume that it’s the correct visa for you.
The potential cost in terms of time and stress in arriving with a visa that doesn’t quite fulfil your requirements can be enormous. Not to mention that it’s unlikely that your partners corporate HR is unlikely to pay for you to have your visa changed should it be incorrect.
A good example of the importance of having this information is Australia. In most cases, employees going to Australia are provided with what is termed a “Temporary long stay” which typically has a fixed term of 3 years. De facto partners are usually provided with the same visa. It’s by far the most popular business visa which allows the holder full rights to work and travel for it’s duration. It’s generally favoured by employers who are recruiting from overseas, as it’s quick to obtain, lengthy and places the responsibility of healthcare, insurance etc in the hands of the holder of the visa.
The downside to this visa is that it is useless if the majority of jobs in your sector require you to hold Australian residency to even be considered. Many permanent jobs in sectors as wide ranging as Government/Public Sector, Marketing, Manufacturing will require a residency.
Don’t underestimate the level of protectionism prevalent in overseas job markets. This can be a shock, particularly for those coming from the UK, whose job market isn’t subject to such control. Permanent employment in Australia and the United States can very often be restricted to those candidates who have a permanent residence.
It’s well worth contacting some recruitment consultants in your new country before you leave and asking them which visa will put you in the best position to find work. If you have been issued with a visa which will limit your option, this is something to amend before you travel.
It’s important to remember that working overseas isn’t simply about doing what you used to do in a new environment; it can be about changing the very nature of your employment, what you do and how you do it.
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
Before departing, preferably a couple of months before create a checklist of all the things it’s smart to have before you leave the familiarity of your old home for the challenge of a new one
1. COPIES OF ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS
Never provide original documents unless specifically asked. Instead send scans or photocopies. This includes:
- Birth certificate
- Adoption papers
- School records, diploma or degrees
- Trade or professional certificates
- Immunisation, medication, vaccination, dental and other health records
- Insurance records or claims
- Driver’s licence
- All documents related to previous employers, including testimonials, work records and network records.
2. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Obtain written job descriptions and overviews from previous places of employment. These should describe your responsibilities, notable achievements (preferably measurable, quantifiable ones) reviews, a brief summary of your performance, and length of time in each role. A well crafted CV is essential.
3. TESTIMONIALS & REFERENCES
Line up your testimonials and referees in advance. Where possible, get written testimonials from people who have known and worked with you employers, clients, and suppliers to further background your work performance. This is particularly useful if you have worked for a well known multinational corporation. It creates a familiar reference point for future assessors. If you can, get this documentation on official company letterheads.
With people you have asked to be phone referees, you want to ensure that they know what they are talking about and will say the right things about you.
If you know of anyone in your host country that can provide you with a reference ensure that you follow this up. Local referees are worth their weight in gold.
4. LOCAL EMAIL
Create a personal local email address (ending in the abbreviation of your host country eg .com.au) as a familiar reference point for potential employers. Preferably base these emails on your name. Avoid using generic one (eg happyboy@yahoo.com).