The term “Japa” is commonly associated with seeking a better life overseas. However, before embarking on such a journey, it’s important to consider what you will do there. Securing a well-paying foreign job can provide financial independence.
In this article, we have identified some of the possible reasons why you may have struggled to secure a job abroad. By staying engaged with this article, you will learn effective strategies for finding a good job abroad, regardless of your qualifications.
Why People Don’t Land a Good Job Abroad
Below are some reasons why most people fail to secure good foreign jobs, as stated by a UK-based digital marketer, Mr. Tobi Asehinde:
- In some professions, before foreigners can be employed, the employer has to ensure that they are not overlooking a citizen to give the job to a foreigner, as mandated by law.
- Countries like Canada have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to ensure that citizens or permanent residents are not overlooked for a job to be given to foreigners.
- Different countries have their versions of LMIA.
- This is why you will see a highly educated banker, engineer, accountant, etc., doing low-level jobs when they get abroad.
- This is because employers cannot ignore their citizens to offer foreigners employment
Landing a Good Job Abroad
In order to secure a good job abroad, there are a few solutions you can consider. One is to become a Permanent Resident or Citizen of the foreign country, but this can take a considerable amount of time. Alternatively, you can have a skill that is in high demand in the country you wish to work in.
Professions such as medical doctors, nurses, and digital marketing professionals are highly sought after in many tier 1 countries. Employers value skills that can bring results, which is why people with digital marketing skills are in high demand abroad. It’s no surprise that many people in the UK, Canada, Dubai, and other parts of the diaspora are enrolling for digital marketing training.
Digital marketing skills can serve as a side hustle to earn a high income abroad while waiting for your dream job. Or, it can be pursued as a full-time career in its own right. By having a skill that is highly demanded in the country you want to work in, you increase your chances of securing a good job abroad.
10 Tips for Landing a Good Job Abroad
- Visa Information
Ensuring that you have the appropriate visa is crucial if you plan to work outside your home country. You can find immigration information on government websites, but LSE Careers cannot provide legal advice on visas. If you are on a Tier 4 visa and wish to work overseas during the summer, check with LSE’s International Student Visa Advice team to understand the regulations for working while on this visa.
- Country Profiles
We offer a vast selection of country profiles on our website to help you research which countries would be suitable for you and to learn how to work there. These profiles include helpful links, such as governmental visa information pages, and other pertinent details about working in those countries.
- GoinGlobal
GoinGlobal is an excellent resource for current students who want to work abroad. It is primarily a job board where you can find internships and graduate jobs in a vast range of countries. Additionally, it provides country profiles with information on visas, application guidelines, employment trends, and more. LSE students and alumni up to five years after completing their programme have full access to GoinGlobal online via LSE Careers.
- Check CV Format
Some countries require a different application format than the standard UK CV and cover letter. For instance, US companies often prefer a one-page resume, and some European countries require you to include a small picture of yourself in your application. Google is an excellent place to find individual information, so do your research and tailor your CV accordingly, in addition to using GoinGlobal.
- Reach Out to Employers
Some countries may require employer sponsorship for you to work there. If you are interested in specific employers or roles, it is worth contacting the employer to ensure that they can support you if you are successful in your application.
- Extra Application Requirements
Some employers abroad may require additional documents or information, depending on the country. For example, French companies frequently require an internship agreement or convention de stage, which LSE Careers can provide. Check the job description carefully to ensure that you can provide everything required in the application process to increase your chances of getting the job you want.
- Interview Preparation
If you are not in the same country as the interview, find out if the company is willing to offer a Skype interview. Make sure you have access to a quiet location with a strong internet connection and no distracting background noise. You want the interviewer to focus solely on you.
- Interview Stream
If you have never had a Skype interview before, you may want to practice using a service like Interview Stream. This tool allows you to record yourself answering sample interview questions, giving you a sense of how you appear on camera, just as interviewers will see you on Skype.
- Connect with Alumni
Getting advice from alumni who have secured jobs abroad is a great way to gain personal insight into the process. LinkedIn is an excellent way to connect with alumni from your department and the wider school. You can use the LinkedIn alumni search function to filter your search.
- Consult a Career Consultant
If you are unsure where to start, a discussion with a career consultant can help you put your ideas together and develop a plan of action to secure the job you want.