Happy Monday fellow dreamers!
In today's latest addition to my expat series, I wanted to share 4 quick tips that can help when searching / applying for jobs overseas. Like many of you, while working to build my own dream (in my case the QAC webstore), I realized very quickly that keeping my career / day job was still a necessity. I mean let's be real, 9 times out of 10, living solely off your passions right out the gate is extremely difficult, especially if you're living a grown ass life, LOL! Since announcing my move to the Middle East, I've gotten so many questions seeking advice on how I made my recent career move.
For starters, some of the benefits of moving and working abroad include:
Improved Finances / Savings - Especially if you're paid well in an inexpensive city / country
Better Work-life Balance - Many countries outside the U.S promote extended paid time off
Paid Housing - Depending on where your offer, free housing could be a very real benefit of joining a company.
Check out my recent vlog on my free living space in Qatar below!
That said, what better time than now to share what I've learned so far. Check out these easy tips, that can make you more marketable and help you in your search!
Update your Resume & Cover Letters
Like any job, you can't apply if you aren't ready. Using straightforward resume tips can help you avoid classic mistakes and elevate your resume from the bottom of any pile. Also, while creating a unique resume for each job sector might be time consuming, it will help ensure your resume and descriptors are catering to the specific job at hand. Be sure to add things that would make yourself appear more desirable in the global marketplace:
Have you traveled / lived overseas before?
Speak another language?
Work with any specific populations?
Live in a diverse community / neighborhood?
Don't be afraid to play up you skills or life experiences to market yourself. What makes you different than the 1 million other people in your field? Share that!
Finally, many people who struggle with, and honestly avoid, writing a cover letter. Huge mistake. While two resumes may look alike? Your cover letter, basically two paragraphs telling your job / career path in story form, is what will separate you. Don’t forget to make it personal. Mention the company's mission. Tell the quick story of why you’re the man / woman for the job.
Get on LinkedIn
For many, LinkedIn is considered a boring social media dinosaur. Let’s put that misconception to bed. SO many job offers and first contacts from hiring managers are being made through LinkedIn. Like your resume, you want to keep your profile as up-to-date as possible with all of your recent accomplishments front and center:
Specify your job industry
Link to any written work you've published online
Upload images of your creative work
Share relevant articles in your niche
Best of all? You can actively search for jobs, in app, right from your phone! Increasingly, I’m spending at least once a week following international companies, browsing for new updates, and scrolling potential job opportunities. Still not convinced? 7 of my overseas coworkers in Qatar were recruited via LinkedIn in the past 6 months. Trust me, it really does go down in the DMs!
Tweak Traditional Job Search Engines
For years people have been using traditional job sites to apply to jobs / careers in their local area. In searching for a possible international options, did you know you can search for your current or desired career by name, then tweak the location by adding the name of the country or international city, rather than state? It's amazing how many international jobs are listed. Even more amazing is how many people don't utilize the search functions in this way.
Also, I took my search a step further by creating a free account on a job posting site Indeed. I then uploaded my newly updated resume to the site to assist others in finding me while I continued my search. That said? Just two weeks later, while sitting at my desk hating my current job, I was contacted via email by a recruiter from London inquiring if I were interested in a medical position in the Middle East. The rest is history.
Contact a Job Placement Agency
In the initial stages of my own recruitment process, I found many instances where people paid large sums of money to so-called recruiters or agencies only to never receive assistance. Again, while some have found success using this method, I would definitely use this option with caution. "Shooting your shot" with recruiters on say LinkedIn is absolutely a viable option, I know a few that have been quite successful. However, if they start asking for money? Red flag. Definitely ask questions. I paid nothing to the London recruiter who reached out to me. Rather my new company paid the firm (and ultimately her) once I started the job for scouting me.
Alright loves that's all for now. I hope these tips are helpful! As I mentioned, in each step of the application process, make sure to vet and research ALL aspects ... From the company you'd like to work for ... To the recruiter / HR rep you ultimately connect with.
Questions, Comments? Feel free to leave them down below ... Part 3 of my "Expat Series" coning soon ... And as always, The Journey Continues!
