If you want your time
working abroad to be convenient rather than filled with new challenges almost
every day, these are the things you need to know before going abroad for a job.
Let’s be honest here, going abroad for work is not a bed of roses. However, it
also amplifies career prospects and life experiences. Due to this, relocating
abroad is considered by a myriad of early career researchers as well as those
who want a change from their mundane life.
There is a reason for people starting to explore the possibilities beyond their
home country. Just to name a few - The global companies, endless work
opportunities, academic posts justifying the qualifications and of course a
chance to travel and explore other countries while also making a living
etcetera are the reasons why going abroad for a job is a trend simply doesn’t
get obsolete.
While taking an overseas
role is not a joke, there are some steps and checklists that will
make your life so much easier if you follow them. We are here to help you with
this.
Below we present you ten things you need to take into account if you are trying
to relocate abroad for a job.
1. Latest update of your destination country and state
One of the first and most
important things you have to know while considering taking up a post abroad is
the situation and update of that country.
This encompasses everything from the political stability of the location,
economic progression or regression, foreigner’s safety, current health issues
or natural disaster probabilities etcetera.
For instance, you wouldn’t want to go to a country that is lately being
victimized by a natural calamity like an earthquake and hasn’t done anything
about it. This can cause a serious problem for you and put you in a predicament
if you had no clue about it till the very end.
2. Language and possible language barriers
When you are travelling
abroad, you must know their language. Now, we know that excelling
in a language within a short period can get difficult but you have to
know the basics and have the attitude to learn.
Let’s imagine a scenario- somehow you manage to get a job without knowledge of
the international language or the language of that country, now how will you
follow the instructions if you don’t understand their tongue? This can
seriously hinder you in your work progress and create a difficult workplace
environment for you.
Language is certainly one of the things to know before going abroad for a job.
You will excel over time but you need to at least understand them and respond.
You should know the possible language barriers and difficulties you will face
to learn them.
Furthermore, you need to know the problems that might arise if you don’t know
the foreign language properly. This has 2 advantages.
Firstly, the problem you face won’t be a surprise for you, so you can prepare
for it. Secondly, it will further motivate you to learn the language.
3. A good employer is just as important as a Good opportunity
Knowing that the
opportunity is good is not enough. You should research, or reach out to people
who know your future employer before relocating.
A good employer will make your life in an unknown foreign land much easier.
A good company or employer will take decent care of you when it comes to
leasing arrangements, understanding local laws, and taxes. They acknowledge
that you are a human and get ill once in a while.
So, researching about this and holding onto a good employer along with the good
opportunity is important
4. Visa conditions
You have to garner as much
information regarding the work visas. This might even require you to research
extensively for this as different countries have distinct kinds of work visas.
Many countries require you to have a work permit or visa to do a job legally.
There might be some exceptions though.
For example, the citizens of the countries in the European Union (EU) need not
require these permits or visas to work in other EU countries. In addition to
that, for those wanting to settle permanently in countries like Australia and
Canada, there is a point-based system.
If you are thinking about relocating for a job, we highly recommend you to
visit the foreign embassy site of the country you are aiming for the relevant
information.
The intricate visa process usually leads to employers taking the responsibility
of getting you a work visa. Be sure about this though. If your job
package doesn’t encompass your employers obtaining the work visa for you, get
ready for a hell of paperwork, so good luck!
5. Health insurance of your prospective country
No country in the world is
disease or accident immune, right?
If you go abroad without any knowledge of Health costs and insurance, be
prepared for a real shocker. Without health insurance to back you up, Medical
bills can be very high in some countries.
Domestic health insurance won’t cover your medical bills and expenses when you
are working aboard.
Getting Travel insurance only covers the medical expenses of leisure travel so
even that will be of no use while working abroad.
For working abroad, you can get health insurance in several ways. Some of them
are Employer-based insurance, public or private insurance etcetera. If you want
to dig higher regarding this, check in here.
6. Information related to work/job (salary, incentives etcetera)
Before accepting a job
offer and preparing to relocate overseas for it, garner as much information as
you possibly can about the job. You will get the idea of salary and privileges
after being offered a role. If you find any of those ambiguous or ambivalent,
inquire about it upfront.
Enquire everything from your future employer. If possible, even try to contact
other employees and ask them how happy they are with the job and whether they
landed the job and the incentives that they were promised.
Know as much as you can about leaves per week, overtime incentives, paid
leaves, contract renewal, and working hours.
Furthermore, do the math and have an estimate of what might be you saving after
reducing all your expenses.
7. Whether the relocation cost and the Cost of living are covered by the company
This is a crucially
important thing you need to know about before going overseas for work. If not
exact then, an estimated average will work but you have to know about the cost
of living and you should know if this expense is covered by the company.
Research household costs and living costs and have a proper approximation of
the expense before you pack your bags and bid bye to your home.
Apart from the cost of living, you also should know if your company compensates
for the relocation cost. Read the contract and even ask your employer or agents
about this.
If your company is paying your relocation cost, be sure to find out what your
relocation budget encompasses. (for instance, travel costs, shipping
furniture, transit costs, temporary accommodation after arrival etcetera. )
8. Culture and history of the company
Knowing about the history
and cultural background of the company you will be working for is important for
you in various ways.
Having prior information about culture and workplace ethics will let you know
what you can expect from your employer. You can even judge how compatible you
are with the company and how much you can adjust to it.
Also, try to know about the history of your company as much as you can. It will
help a lot if you know who would you be reporting to.
If personal and professional growth is very important to you, you might even
want to find out about how the company and different teams are progressing and
how the employees are treated.
9. Establishing a social network never hurts
Moving abroad for a job
involves you leaving your social life in your homeland to quite an extent. You
should know that extending social networks in an overseas country where you are
relocating will help you a lot.
This will better you in language and to do a better job. Other than that,
establishing a social network abroad will make you less miserable and gloomy
while you are away from your home.
Seek out like-minded people, and engage yourself in leisure activities and
social events organized by the company or your colleagues there.
10. Compatibility with the weather of the country and work.
Before going abroad, it’s
vital that you know the compatibility of the country you are aiming for and you
in terms of weather and culture. Given that you might be working there for
years, you must adjust well to the weather of your workplace.
For instance, if you can’t resist low weather, but the country you are aiming
for is freezing most of the time during the year, you are unlikely to do well.
Even your hard work and effort will be compromised.