Moving and working abroad - how to make your dream career a reality
By Daryl Summers, Senior Consultant, FPSG
11 January 2019
Working abroad is a dream job opportunity for many people, but it can also be a daunting prospect. Learn how to get started.
Moving abroad is a daunting prospect and it’s difficult to know where to start. Where should I go? What should I do? How much will it cost? How long should I go for? And that’s just for starters.
Perhaps you want to work on an offshore island with beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and a relaxed atmosphere, or perhaps you’re more suited to an international city with all the hustle and bustle and culture you’d expect from a major hub.
Here are our top tips for moving and working abroad:
Where should I go?
Big decision, but not as daunting as you might fear. There are a lot of considerations at play here like distance from home, language, lifestyle, professional exposure etc. Depending on your personal situation some locations could be more accessible than others, we’ll talk you through the best options and decide on the best approach together.
What should I do?
Where do your strengths lie? Companies hiring professionals from overseas do so due to a lack of required skills in the local market. They will be hiring you for the skills and experience you can offer from day one so it’s likely the role you will be asked to do will be consistent with your previous experience. If you want a very different role, or to utilise your skills in an area in which you perhaps don’t have a proven background, you would perhaps be better served securing that move in your local market, performing the role for a year or two, then leveraging that experience to gain a move in your preferred area.
How much will it cost?
Moving countries costs money, how much of that you will have to bear will vary depending on the location and company. Some companies will cover all your relocation expenses including flights, shipping and visas, whilst others will be able to offer you a position but won’t be able to assist with your relocation expenses. We will be able to provide you with an idea of what is covered by any prospective new employer and what your likely expenses will be so you will be able to know whether an opportunity is financially suitable or not.
How long should I go for?
Some people have a very fixed timescale in their minds, others like to play it by ear and see what happens. Either way, in the Accountancy & Finance market, you generally don’t see contracts shorter than 18 months. Most companies don’t expect you to relocate permanently, but they are looking for a reasonable time commitment. This varies from business to business but is usually around two to three years. We will discuss with you what time commitment you are prepared to make and tailor our advice accordingly.