At this time of year, with many of us jetting off on our holidays, we may find ourselves wishing we didn’t have to come home, that we could stay and live in the idyll we’ve discovered. But do we really want to stay and live and work there – or just stay there on holiday? It’s a big difference, isn’t it?!
It is a common aspiration, especially for young people, to travel to Australia, New Zealand or the USA in search of a perceived better quality of life and a much warmer climate. But is it something that any one of us can do? What does it take to get a job overseas? Is it really something you want to embark on?
Through talking to our friends and colleagues, we’ve discovered that many of them had thought about working abroad, but very few had actually looked into it, and even fewer had tried to match their skill-set to actual jobs in other countries. Logical questions need to be asked and really thought about when making the decision to work abroad, are they ones you’ve already been considering...?
How would a move abroad affect your long-term career aspirations? Will some time away add to your CV or make it look like you’re just taking a bit of a break from the old routine?
Language – even if your new role means that you can primarily use English at work, it’s possible that English will not be the primary language of the country you are moving to. Do you know enough to get by in the early days and are you committed to learning the language like a local once you’ve settled in?
Will you enjoy living within the culture of the country you are moving to? Such things as cuisine, climate, housing, media, and local customs will all be different from what you are used to.
And that’s before we getting into the nitty-gritty of bank accounts, partners relocating, new schools for your children and much more – but could it all be worth it for a new life, with a better quality?
For some people, it is only ever a dream, but for those of you who really do want to work abroad, the opportunities can be amazing.
We’ve supported many of our students in achieving the job of their dreams overseas, including Claire who went from unemployed graduate to high-flying PA in Paris, with a little bit of help from us and a lot of hard work from her.
Working overseas is a realistic option, but it is something that you should think about not only in terms of affordability and emotional strain, but also in terms of skills you already have and skills you may need.
Finding work abroad is not a short simple process, it can take a long time and there can be many hurdles to overcome first, but it is definitely worth pursuing.
If it’s what you want to do, then don’t give up.
It’s not about luck, it’s about working hard, making the right choices, taking and making opportunities and following your dreams.
Talk to us, we can help you get there.