How to Transition from Your First Job Abroad to a New Career Path as an Expat

Changing jobs, is not the easiest thing that can happen in a person’s life, and it can happen for various reasons and in various circumstances. And if we talk about expats who, on top of everything else, are not at home but in a new country for themselves, everything is even more complicated. 

Someone decides to change jobs themselves because it does not suit them and chooses a new career. Someone, having worked half their life in a certain position, decides to start from scratch. Someone’s life can change in such a way that this person no longer has the opportunity to work in the same position as before, and is forced to change jobs. 

In any case, it is always quite stressful. Because you need to learn a new specific job, learn something new in principle, and perhaps even get some additional education to work fully. But often such a change of environment and career helps to start over.So a person has the opportunity to find a business that he loves and develop himself in such an area. In the case of employees who decide to change jobs, the situation can be radically different from why people change careers in their home country.

Often, when moving to a new country, the first job is more of a way to earn something so as not to end up on the street and not to go hungry. This is different from the experience of workers who are relocated on behalf of the company, and who are usually immediately provided with a job. In some cases, housing and assistance with the necessary documents for adaptation in a new place. People who independently move to a new place and have to do everything on their own, the first job is often simply absolutely unsuitable, and in general, the first one that was hired. For people with such experience, changing careers has a completely different meaning, and rather means the opposite, returning to a favorite or familiar job.

Why does this happen in the lives of expats?

No matter how good a worker you are, you will probably only be considered that way in your home country. In a new country, a diploma from your home university will have a different meaning than for employers from your home country, and the validity of your work experience will depend on many factors. For example, if you received an education in your language in your country, and then started working in your native language, then the first issue when moving will be the language barrier, even if you know the language needed in this country quite well. 

For example, when moving from India to the USA, you will face the fact that without a language test, you will be hired for a limited number of jobs with not the highest salaries. The same applies, for example, to the UAE. And therefore, many immigrants start working from some strata positions, often with not the most favorable conditions. Working in such positions helps not only to get used to the specifics of work in a certain country but also helps to better learn English (or another language needed in this country), as well as get acquainted with the local culture, which plays an important role in working life.

In addition, working for a company in a new country gives you the work experience you need for your resume, which will show the next employer that you have already worked here and are already familiar with the procedures that apply here. In addition, to obtain a language certificate, which is often necessary for good jobs, you need time to prepare and pass it, and in order not to waste time, you can start working from a position that is not the best, to eventually move to a much better one.

Is it difficult for immigrants to change careers?

If you are a hard-working employee who has no problems with the documents required to work in the chosen country, then it will be quite easy. For everything to go smoothly, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the procedures for submitting documents, visa issues, work permits, and other documents required by a foreign worker. 

Where to look for a job?

Looking for a job after working in the country of your choice for some time is a little easier than looking for a job in your home country. You may already have in mind some places of work where you could go to work, or know some local life hacks for searching, or are familiar with resources specific to your new place of residence that local leaders and experienced expats use. But below I will list some popular sites around the world where you can find your new career from anywhere and in any field.

Layboard

Layboard is a well-known and reputable site that is successfully used by a large number of people from all over the world. It provides work in different parts of the world in completely different vacancies. Here you can find many vacancies in various places with a large selection of conditions and salaries. All vacancies contain a detailed description with the ability to directly contact the employer.

Bayt

This site is popular for searching for vacancies in the Middle East. Some vacancies are also available nearby – in North Africa. The site also describes vacancies well, has a search function immediately for specific cities or vacancy directions. Out of these, on top of them has a mobile application for convenience.

GulfTalent

A site for finding jobs in the UAE and neighbourhood, more tailored specifically for these locations, and is not particularly popular in other places. There is also a mobile application.

NaukriGulf

This web resource also specializes in jobs in Dubai and other cities of the UAE, and other Middle Eastern countries. These are quite a popular destination for workers of various types.

MonsterJobs

This is a very popular job search site in the world, and there are a lot of vacancies in general, but you can also find vacancies in Dubai and similar destinations. Easy to use site, good description of vacancies.

Indeed

A cool and popular site with a detailed description of vacancies and a large volume of vacancies around the world. As in the case of the previous resource, there are also quite a few good vacancies in the Middle East.

Laimoon

This site is suitable for those who are more interested in remote work. In addition to work, various advanced training courses are also available here. But in any case, this is a good place to look for a new job, possibly related to teaching.

LinkedIn

We can finish this list with the most widely used social network by employees all over the world. That is designed not only for professional communication between employees but also for the ability to track the company’s activity. You can also submit your resume for work in some companies. There is also an option to simply publish your resume and skills and let employers contact you themselves.

Career changes are serious, but thanks to a large number of convenient job search resources and employers who will gladly take a good specialist from another country, career change as an expat can go smoother than you expect.

Previous Post
Next Post