Tips for finding language jobs abroad - Our Top 5

 

Looking for a change? Want to start a new adventure? Do you dream of having it all – seeing the world and growing a successful career? If your answer is yes, then keep reading…

 

When it comes to making the step to move abroad there are a few things that you need to sort out before you go. One of the biggest issues that you will face is finding a job abroad. Our aim here at Job Coconut is to make this step easier for you – To make your job search as easy & pain free as possible.

 

1. Choosing where to Work Abroad

First of all, you will need to ask yourself ‘’Where it is you want to live & work?’’

If you are unsure, then the best thing we can recommend is to do some research on the countries you are interested in.

In your research you will find a number of important factors to consider such as:

• The job market

• Job vacancies

• Working conditions

There are of course other factors you should take into account that you may not have thought of before like:

• The weather – Do you love the sun or are you a more into the woolly scarf and gloves weather?

• The language – Is it one that you want to learn?

• The Cost of living – can you afford to live there?

When it comes to the cost of living you need to think whether your salary can cover all of your expenses – if not then you may need to look for jobs with higher salaries. Keep in mind that if the cost of living in certain countries is low then you will need to lower your salary expectations.

 

 

2. Your Job Search:

When it comes to looking for a job abroad – Job boards (like ourselves) can be a huge help when on your job search – But don’t forget about other channels like Newspapers and local websites of the country you are looking for a job in. Sources like these are brilliant not only for looking for jobs but also for the housing market – with one search you could find a new place to call home and a new job.

 

Another vital source you may not have thought of could be Social Media – There are many Facebook and LinkedIn groups that you can join now that have recruiters and companies posting job opportunities for you to look at in your own time. Use all the sources available to you because you will want to be fully informed in your job search.

3. Cultural Differences – Don’t forget about them

 

Whether you are moving from one country to another there is always going to be some subtle differences. For example, the cultural differences in Asia in comparison to Europe are fairly noticeable and moving from one to other can have you experiencing culture shock.

Even moving from 1 European country to another has its differences, for example:

 

• The perception of time

• Communication Style

• Formalities

• Hierarchy

• Work hours

 

Taking Working hours as our main example here – If you work in France or in Spain your lunch break will be longer then you would expect in countries like Ireland. However because of long lunch breaks you could be expected to work later but those in Ireland would be home earlier.

 

4. Building a Network

Keep in mind when moving abroad if it is just you or if someone is coming with you. In order to build a supportive network, it would be a good idea to surround yourself with those who are in the same situation as you.

Social Media is probably the most obvious way to do so, connect with others in groups – learn from their experiences – your questions could be answered in groups like this and who knows you might even make a friend or two.

 

5. Be Open Minded:

Finding a job abroad can sometimes be a bit hard. Being narrow minded will make it more difficult so we would recommend going into your search with an open mind. Be open to jobs that you may not have looked into before, you never know what you might find.

Don’t forget to look into temporary jobs – this helps you get a taste of the country you are living and working in as well as the job – Some companies may even consider taking you on board on a more permanent basis. If they don’t it’s not a bad thing – it just gives you a chance to explore more of the world or the country.

Last but not least – be open to new adventures, new people and new cultures

 

Are you ready to start looking for a job? Check out our job offers!

by Maria Recknagel

March 22nd 2016