Preparing Yourself for Working Overseas

When moving overseas for work purposes it is important to ensure that you prepare yourself thoroughly so that you know what to expect when you arrive. If you are not sufficiently prepared then you may encounter problems once you arrive or look to start working.

Before taking a job overseas it is important to research where you are considering working. There is more to consider than simply earning as much money as possible.

One of the key things to consider when moving overseas is that the geographical area you are planning to move to. This could involve looking into multiple things such as housing availability and the political situation. If you are planning to work in this area you may also want to research earnings and unemployment rates. Failure to investigate this properly may lead to disappointment on arrival. Another important thing to research if you will be looking to apply for a job when arriving overseas is how they expect you to present your CV. This can vary and in some countries they do require you to provide a photo on your CV.

When looking to move overseas we would recommend that you contact the embassy of the country of which you are moving to. They should be able to confirm lots of details to assist you and in some cases will obtain visas and work permits on your behalf as these processes can be time consuming. If you do already have a job in place for when you arrive overseas it is likely that they will ask you to provide legalised and attested copies of documents. This legalisation is typically in the form of the apostille and some countries may also request further attestation at an embassy.

If you are intending to move overseas with your family it is also worth looking into regulations that may affect them. When moving with a partner you may wish to research if there are job opportunities for the field of work which they are based in. If you are also taking children overseas you should also look into schools and colleges that are available for English speaking students. If they are already progressing through schools in the UK it may suitable to send them to a British School based overseas. The school may ask you to provide an apostille on the academic documents. This may include school reports or attendance letters.

Once you have arrived overseas it is important that that you get used to your surroundings. If possible, it may be worth waiting a week or two before begin to start looking for work or starting a job you already had in place. If you have travelled long distances to your new country it is likely you may suffer from jetlag and going into work or interviews may not be the best option for you.

Allowing yourself this time will provide you with an opportunity absorb your surroundings, sample the local culture and practice using the local language. You will also find most large cities have an expat community. This can have its advantages when you need to find people or places.

Moving abroad is daunting task at the best of times. Spending a little time researching where you want to work and live will pay dividends when you first arrive.