Five things to focus while trying to secure a job in a Foreign Country

Working abroad can be a good way to earn a higher salary and escape a bad job market in the home country. There are several strategies that can be used by job seekers to secure a job outside the home country. A basic research on the foreign country, working conditions, currency fluctuations, cultural aspects and other things like living conditions are essential before deciding on the country. The following five ways might be helpful for the job-seeker to increase his odds of securing a job abroad. When applying for jobs abroad all important documents such as your UK passport, resume etc may be required. You may be required to submit copies of your documents to head hunters and job consultants.

a) Designing your Resume/Profile to meet requirements abroad

A good resume is a very important aspect of a job-search. Applicants should project their profile well in their resume to suit job requirements in the foreign country. Some countries prefer longer resumes which are more than 3 pages where as some others prefer a single page resume. Hence an appropriate resume is recommended. It is also recommended to follow practices which are common to any industry or sector. A professional resume writer may be helpful to design better resumes and attract prospective employers.

b) Updating skill-sets based on general job-requirements abroad

Before applying for a job abroad, it is recommended to understand general job requirements abroad. Some jobs may have special needs such as an international certification. For instance, in some countries, an entry level financial analyst is required to have completed at least one level of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam.The candidate should update his skill-sets appropriately and project his candidature in a positive way.


c) Applying for suitable positions

Job seekers are recommended to apply for positions relevant to their experience and interests.It may be a good idea to focus on job opportunities in a sector in which the candidate has expertise. It may not make much sense to apply for a lot of irrelevant positions. Hence the candidate should decide and narrow down on sectors and sub-sectors before applying for a job. This saves a lot of time and may also increase odds of securing a job.Each interview can be taken as a learning experience and can be valuable in subsequent interviews.

d) Networking and Schmoozing

Networking and Schmoozing are essential skills to secure a job in a foreign country. It is recommended to network with professionals in a similar sector who are working abroad. Professional networking websites may be of help here. Also, it is recommended to schmooze appropriately and gain referrals. This is not only helpful for securing a job,but also for future career.

e) Learning the foreign language (if necessary)

In some countries, basic understanding of the native language is preferred. Hence candidates can focus on gaining a basic understanding of the language, if applicable. For instance, a candidate applying for a position in Quebec, Canada may be given preference if he has some basic understanding of French. Though this aspect may not be as important as other factors, this may help in increasing the odds of nailing a job.

In addition to the above aspects, a basic understanding of cultural practices may also be helpful for candidates trying for jobs abroad.