With over 9 million Americans now living overseas, more people than ever are looking for a new job adventure abroad.
Yet, that’s easier said than done. With restrictions such as language barriers and work visas, most are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to do it. It seems like a huge hurdle to jump, especially if you don’t have experience.
Luckily, you don’t have to be an Olympian to clear that hurdle. While the process can be daunting, it’s not impossible.
Let’s look at several ways you can set yourself up for getting a job abroad without experience.
Show off Your Skills and Education
Even if you don’t have experience, we all have skills in something. Put a spotlight on those skills, and your education, to use to your advantage!
Collect all your school transcripts, making sure they are official forms. Include all your scholarly work, showing any committees you sat on, projects you did, and extracurricular activities you participated in.
Plus, nowadays having your own blog is more and more common. Showcase your industry expertise with well-written blog posts.
Keep an Open Mind
You can’t expect to work overseas with no experience and land the job of your dreams right off the bat. That’s why keeping an open mind about your job search will open more doors for you.
While you might desire to work in a chosen field, look for different types of work to get your foot in the door.
Many of the most popular jobs available overseas is teaching English, working as an au pair, doing manual labor on a farm, food service work, or working in a hostel.
These opportunities can get you in the country you dream of while giving you valuable work experience until something else comes along.
Get Certified
While researching jobs abroad, find out if any of them will need you certified. If so, get ahead of the game and get your certification!
Teaching English is one of the major job openings in which you will need a certificate. The TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is internationally recognized doesn’t require you to have teaching experience to land a job.
If you have trade knowledge, such as plumbing or electrical, make sure your certification is up to date. While your chosen country might not recognize it, at least it will show your expertise and skill.
Know Where to Find the Jobs
It goes without saying, you can’t find the international job of your dreams if you don’t know there’s an opening. Get yourself familiar with ways to find current job openings.
Online job portals that are popular in the US are not necessarily where you’re going to find job openings overseas. Research the popular employment marketplaces in the countries you’d like to live in. Set up alerts to notify you when new openings become available.
Other online agencies, such as Amsterdam Startup Jobs, help find expats jobs overseas. They’re specifically for English speakers who want to work with Amsterdam startup companies. Many countries have similar agencies to help.
Make Yourself Easy to Hire
Many employers will not want to jump through hoops to get an inexperienced worker hired. That’s why you should do everything you can to make it easy for them by being as prepared as possible!
Getting a job abroad will likely need a work visa. Research the various types of visas offered in the country you want to live in and their requirements.
While employers can sponsor you a work visa, it’s likely too much governmental red tape for them to go through for someone with no experience. If you have a work visa already set up, you’ll be much more desirable.
And be ready to move for a job quickly. If you can show that you’re ready to hop on a plane tomorrow, you’ll ease their worry of having to wait to get the help they need.
Network Your Way to a Job Abroad
It may surprise you to find out someone you already know holds the connection you need in getting a job abroad.
Don’t know that many people or can’t think of anyone with that kind of pull? You need to look at the big picture. It may not matter who you know, but who they know.
Your network is bigger than you realize, so it’s time to start talking. Get the word out about your plans and what you’re looking for. Post it on social media.
And when you do meet someone in the know, don’t be afraid to ask any and all questions then follow up. Being the squeaky wheel could pay off for you big time.
Consider Working Remote
If you want to bypass the need to look for work locally, consider getting a remote position. These jobs allow you to work from anywhere in the world you want, as long as you have a computer and good WiFi.
Remote jobs can either be employment or freelance positions. Common remote workers include graphic designers, writers, web designers, IT experts, virtual assistants, and digital marketers.
Remote work is becoming more popular, with new remote positions becoming a rising trend. It’s the perfect alternative for those who are having trouble finding local work or want to freedom to move to a different country without worry.
Of course, always make sure you know the visa laws in your chosen country. Some places state it’s illegal to work on a tourist visa (like the UK). Only work remotely where it’s allowed.
Make Getting a Job Abroad a Breeze
Living in a new country can be both exciting and rewarding. Don’t let the process of getting a job abroad scare you from making that dream a reality. With these tips, you’ll be packing that bag and moving overseas in no time!
Looking for ways to unwind after a long day of working a job abroad? Check out these tips to help you recharge!
