International Moving Tips for Job Seekers

While different tips for moving overseas can ease up the complex relocation process, moving tips for people who are looking for work abroad are more than welcome. Switching between jobs is a sure course of action to gain invaluable experience, and working in a different cultural environment is even more so.

Deciding to uproot your life and take your chances in a country you’ve never lived before is a bold step into the unknown. But while the fear of unfamiliar things, people, or surroundings may seem like a big deal, traveling beyond the borders of your home is scary without financial stability. So, how can I make moving easier? One of the best tips for moving (and among the most important ones) is to find a job first and then plan the whole relocation around it.

Determine in Which Direction You Want to Take Your Career

They say that each move is different and unique in its own manner, but nothing compares to an international relocation. The prospect of trying your luck outside of your home country may seem like a pill hard to swallow to some, but don’t let relocation anxiety talk you out of this idea. After all, nothing beats the practical knowledge you could gain from completely unfamiliar work surroundings. But not only that – when you move to another country to work, you will improve your professional life, learn some new skills, and improve your adjustability.

Before you start preparing for job seeking or call movers on a whim, you should be certain about the direction you want to take your career in. Will you remain in the same industry, or do you want to try something different? The other factors include the commute time, the set of skills you wish to learn, and the work environment. Once you narrow down all these factors, your job-seeking journey will be easier.

Make a Checklist of Potential Positions While You’re Still at Home

Before you start considering the best countries to live in, and long before you find an international mover with the best international moving services, think about all the potential scenarios. How determined are you to leave your home, or is it more important to wait for the desired position abroad? If you are willing to risk it and move before you’ve landed a dream job, you may want to consider working either part-time jobs or some other short-term solution. Create a checklist with all the possible solutions that can get you settled and fill in the initial period if you don’t find work immediately.

Before You Begin Packing Any Boxes, Pick the Country You Want to Move To

There are many countries where you can find work as an international candidate. Some of these places may be amongst the best countries for women, while others are considered the best places to live abroad with family. So, determining the country of your choice should encompass most of your wishes beyond work. Think about whether you want to live in a big city or in more rural surroundings and then commute. The climate is also a factor that could affect your decision, as well as how well you are able to overcome and break the language barrier.

You Will Need to Pack All Your Previous Experiences in the Resume Before the Start of Your Search

The next stop on your to-do list in order to find a job overseas is to spruce up your resume and adjust it for an international position. While you should be thorough and include all the previous experiences and gained skills, it’s also important to tailor the resume and cover letter for the job you’re looking for.

Abide by the standards of the country you wish to live and work in – one place may prefer a shorter application, while another place may be on the lookout for candidates that apply with thorough resumes, even several pages long. Also, translating it into the national language of a country (if you are fluent) may work in your favor.

Packing Boxes Is Important for Your Move, but Networking Is Essential for Your Job

While the network of friends you have at home can help you with packing boxes (you don’t need any packing and moving tips to tell you that,) networking is also an essential part of job seeking. Social network profiles may play a significant role in this, especially since the LinkedIn search can be geographically specific. Sharing your portfolio in various groups and different online expat communities may be helpful, while it’s wisest to join the groups specific to your industry but adjusted to the country you wish to move to.

Use the Foreign Media as Your Source of Information

Getting acquainted with the greatest place to live abroad through various sources will be beneficial in your search for work. Foreign media can help you get an insight into the current events, as well as the political and economic situation of the country. All this information can be helpful during your job interview.

Moving Abroad May Be Determined by Your Company

There is one other option you may want to look into that will help you in your ambition to move out of your home country, and it’s employee relocation. If your current employer is a multinational corporation, you may not have to leave the company. You may want to inquire whether you can be transferred to a branch overseas. After all, relocating for a job is one of the most common reasons to move.

This can also be the most secure way to be financially stable and balance your finances abroad because you won’t leave your current work but simply change your current location. Your employer may even offer you a relocation package and cover for packing service and all the additional expenses you may have. You will only be obliged to pack the relocation essentials into a box, and your employer will take care of the rest, including finding suitable accommodation.

Use Job Fairs and Online Career Boards, as They Can Be a Perfect Solution

There might be some job fairs that have international companies as partakers somewhere near where you live. You can meet up with their representatives and talk about their company and open positions. Online career boards are also available because many international companies seek workers this way. Some career boards can also be country-specific.

With a Secured Position, Applying for a Visa or a Permit Will Be a Piece of Cake

At this point, you may be asking yourself – what should be moved first when moving? It’s not the right moment to pack your boxes or rent storage yet, because you won’t be able to stay and work in a foreign country without a visa or a permit. So as soon as you are accepted for a position before you pack a box with your personal possessions, you should start the visa process. Some situations may require your future employer to sponsor you to be able to receive a visa or a work permit. This information may be available to you from the company you wish to work for or the website of the foreign government embassy.

The following video offers some valuable insight for getting a work visa in Europe and the difference between Schengen countries and others within the EU.

You’ll Need Some Moving Tips to Adjust as Soon as You Move

Besides working on your career change, you should also pay attention to the complex process of relocating abroad and use some advice on what to pack and how to box up your belongings properly. One of the most valuable pieces of information that will determine the contents of each box is the climate. If you are relocating to a warmer climate, leave all the winter items behind, perhaps safely tucked away in a storage facility.

A colder climate will require you to bring heavy coats, boots, and other heavy-duty winter items or go on a shopping spree as soon as you arrive if you come unprepared in the middle of the snow and freezing temperatures. Just in case, inquire about the health insurance before you move, so you won’t have to worry about a runny nose and sore throat because of the change in the climate.

Consider the Spoken Languages of the Country

While learning a new language abroad is the fastest way to become familiar with an official language of a country, you may want to come prepared. So, what is the best method for moving when you don’t know the language? While a new dictionary should definitely be on the list of the items you have packed, make sure you learn the official language as much as you can. Additionally, your job’s requirements might be to communicate in the official language of that country, so ensure you spend more than a day learning some basics.

Your Interviewers Could Be in a Different Time Zone

If you agree to an interview over the internet, you should keep in mind that the country you want to move to is in another time zone. This means that you may have to do an interview during odd hours, so be prepared. Also, if you land the position, prepare yourself for the time difference to ease up the transition.

Keep In Mind That There Are Many Benefits of Relocating for Your Career

Even if you are not quite determined to live outside your country of origin, you should keep in mind that there are many benefits of relocating in terms of your professional life. This includes:

• The cultural experience you gain from living in an unknown country will be invaluable, both personally and professionally. It will allow you to understand the global market more thoroughly, and you will learn at least one other way to do business than what you are accustomed to.
• Your resume will become much more appealing, especially when you gain a new set of skills and experiences.
• You will gain invaluable independence and strengthen your confidence.
• Once you overcome the culture shock you’re experiencing, the skill to adapt will become superb.

All these skills can only benefit you down the road, no matter how long you stay abroad. It will expand your knowledge and allow you to gain more flexibility in your career and personal life.

Wrap up All These Moving Tips and Tricks, and Start Looking for an International Moving Company

Now that you’ve gathered all these helpful pieces of advice, it’s the right moment to consider when to start preparing for the move-out day. If you’re wondering – “How long before a move should I start packing?” you should begin as soon as you’ve secured a position and gathered the necessary paperwork. It’s also the right moment to contact reliable international movers and book a relocation package. It’s wisest to do these things two months prior to your move, so don’t make one of those relocating mistakes of doing everything last minute.