How to Start Your Career When You Move to Another Country

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Moving to a new country can be both exciting and scary at the same time. While there are all kinds of different reasons people choose to move to another country, one of the most common has to do with finding a new job, starting a new career and bettering employment options. So, once you arrive in a new country, what steps can you take to jumpstart your dream career?

Brush Up on the Right Skills

This first tip can actually be used before you even move. Do some job market research and find out what industries are currently in demand for employees. You can then direct your attention to those industries and brush up on skills that would be beneficial to that particular sector.

 You can easily do degrees and attain qualifications online today, making this a lot easier. From accounting courses to second degree nursing programs, there is something for everyone.

Start Out Small

It would be great to move to a new country and either get an instant offer for a dream job or have already accepted a position before you even arrive. While that is the case for some, for others it’s a matter of starting from the bottom. This is where it’s important to understand that starting out small is perfectly fine.

There is nothing wrong with taking a decent job that will provide you with on-the-job training and experience that will help you further on down the road. Look at it as a stepping stone rather than the final destination.

Get a Local Education

Another tip is to get a local education. While you may hold a university degree in the country where you lived previously, it won’t necessarily hold up in the new country you have moved to. Even taking a few extra courses can help to open doors for you.

Take Fahad Al Rajaan for example, who is originally from Kuwait. After moving to the United States, he worked with a number of companies in the banking and investment industries and sat on various boards. Fahad realised that a local education would be beneficial, so he attended the American University of Washington DC.

Network, Network, Network

We are all familiar with the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and truth be told the saying does have merit. That is why networking is so important when starting a new career in a new country. Attend industry events, conferences, seminars, trade shows and any other gathering that gets you in front of potential employers.

Be Prepared to Be Flexible

This last tip has to do with your mindset. When moving to a new country and looking for a new job, there’s a good chance that what you start with isn’t going to be where you end up. You need to be willing to be flexible, make career changes and even change industries when necessary.

Making Headway in a New Country

By using these tips and keeping a positive outlook, you’re sure to start making headway in the country you have moved to, setting you up for future career success.