Working overseas is a great experience for anyone wishing to develop their careers beyond the borders of their own country. If you choose to travel this path, you will not only earn handsomely in the long run but also build yourself a strong professional network that is not limited locally. However, just like any other career development strategy, you will have to work extra hard and smart towards your goals. Therefore, this article will give you useful tips on how you can develop your international career.
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Research and understand the culture
Every country has its own unique culture. It is important for anyone seeking to develop their careers in an international country to understand the cultures of that particular country even if they do not agree with some of them. You may also conduct research to find out whether you will fit in easily because whereas some cultures may be open-minded and accommodating, some may be very strict and conservative.
Develop relevant hard skills
Once you have done thorough research on the culture of that particular country, it may also be prudent to develop interpersonal skills that would make you a better fit. You can also learn the native language and include it your CV for you to stand out from the crowd. If are from Canada, you may have used online essay writing services such as PaperLeaf and understand how important it is to develop your grammar. This is important because you may have all the relevant qualifications in your home country, but this may not be the case in a foreign country.
Develop a network
Once in a foreign country, network as much as possible. Meeting new people is a sure way to new opportunities that may just be your big break. Good places to network are conferences, exhibitions, meetings, networking parties, and fairs. It may be hard to network in a new country because of factors such as language barriers however, finding a common language that both parties understand is helpful. You can also look for people from your home country, they may assist your network.
Get international familiarity early on
If you are looking to develop your career overseas, it would be beneficial to begin this process early on. Studying abroad will put you at an advantage compared to someone who studies locally. In addition, you will also be able to learn about the country early on before joining its workforce. According to StudyLink, studying abroad expands your career prospects by getting you out of your comfort zone. Furthermore, studying abroad shows that you have the drive to venture into new frontiers, something that is advantageous to employers.
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Cultivate relevant soft skills
Volunteering will help you develop organizational, people and leadership skills. You can demonstrate this by volunteering for an international organization. Apart from this, you can also demonstrate an ability to cope and adapt away from your normal support structure such as your family and friends.
Familiarize with the work policy
Work policies and laws differ from one country to another. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with the work policies of the country you intend to work in. Learn about policies relating to work permits and visas in that particular country. According to ShieldGeo, the penalties for having wrong immigration permits include:
- Detaining and questioning or denial of entry into the said country
- Resulting corporate tax liability for the hiring company
- Civil and criminal penalties for the hiring company in that country
Define why you want to work abroad
Before deciding to work abroad, you need to clearly define your reasons for doing so. Furthermore, clearly define your long term goals as well as your short term ones. Weigh your options first and see whether moving abroad is a step in the right direction or not. Doing so will allow you to think critically on the matter.
Involve your family and friends
It is also important to involve your close family and friends before deciding to move across the world. These people form your support system and will assist you to make the best decisions regarding your career. In addition, if you have kids or a spouse, it is important to involve them. People normally look for international experience when they are younger, this is according to Robert Walter, a website that offers career advice.
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Bottom line
If you are planning to develop your career in another country, weigh all the options first and try to understand why you are making such a move. If you stand a chance to grow vertically along your career path, then go for it but first develop the relevant skills, research about their culture and develop your network once in that county. However, if you only stand to grow horizontally, then you should reconsider and reevaluate your decision.