Moving to a new country, whether permanent or for a shorter period is exciting. Some people move for work, with a job waiting for them on the other side, but for others, it’s the chance for a clean break and a fresh start that appeals. There’s nothing but a new life waiting on the other side of their journey.

This can be scary. Moving to a new country can be challenging, especially if you’ve got no firm plans for when you arrive. You’ll face a different way of life, different culture, different routines and perhaps a different language.

Sometimes it’s the little details like what times people eat meals or how public transport works that can shock us the most. But, one truth remains wherever you are, unless you are traveling with endless funds, you will need to find work.

Even with plenty of experience finding work in a new country can be tough. You’re faced with a language barrier, a lack of knowledge of foreign systems and plenty of confusion. Newbies to this world sometimes end up putting themselves in legal hassles, but then there are agencies like Robinson Geraldo, P.C. to wave off visa and green card related challenges in no time.

Here are some tips on how to find work in a new country, without too much stress or rejection.

Make Sure You Can

The first thing that you need to do before you even think about working abroad is finding out if you can. In some countries you’ll need a visa or a right to remain certificate, if you are studying abroad you may only be able to work a certain number of hours, and if you are moving permanently, you may need to have your immigration status approved.

If you have any problems or doubts, contact a Law Office before traveling. Just make sure you don’t start working illegally or wasting time searching work jobs that you aren’t allowed to do. If you are looking for your partner to join you, for instance in the UK, you could visit UK Visa Spouse Immigration in Mayfair for more information about eligibility and the visa application process.

Learn Some Language

Learning a new language can be exceptionally difficult, and it can take a long time to reach a fluent level. So, as soon as you know where you are heading, start learning. Use podcasts and language learning apps to help you.

There’s a lot to learn, so if you are looking for work focus on the words and phrases that you need in your job. You’ll need to be able to have a polite conversation to find work in the first place, but then focus on any terms, names and jargon that you need to do your job. You should be able to read in this new language too and make sure you understand any differences, such as writing the dates differently to avoid any costly mistakes later on.

Tailor Your CV

Your CV should only be a side or two long; you don’t need to include your whole life story. But, if you have moved to a new country, you should include it. This is a very brave thing to do. It takes courage and organization. You’ve learnt a new language and way of life. These are skills that could help you in many fields. Include a list of key skills right at the top of your CV, add skills from any experience back home, as well as the skills that you’ve used to up route your life.

You should also take care to tailor your CV to different jobs. Read the job description for the position that you are applying for, and make sure you mention all of the key skills and experience that you have that could be helpful.

Apply in Person

Recruiters receive hundreds of applications and CVs every week. Even with the right key skills and experience, it can be hard to stand out and get to the top of the pile. Especially when it would be much easier to hire someone local, without having to worry about language or immigration law.

So, don’t just send off or email a CV. Apply in person. Arrive well-presented and smart and ask to speak to someone responsible for recruitment. Introduce yourself with a friendly handshake. Try to make conversation and sell yourself, but they might be busy, and you could only have a few seconds to make a great first impression.

Try Freelancing

If you are online and have some skills, you can work as a freelancer without having to worry about location or language. You could work as a VA, a writer, a social media manager or a graphic designer for people that speak your language and live in your home country, using your computer. You can do this wherever you are and even work while traveling. You might even be able to work for your current employer, ask about the prospect of working remotely.

Freelance work offers fantastic flexibility and a great chance to earn money wherever you are. But, you will need to look into tax laws and systems in the country you are working from. Just like you’d register as self-employed and pay tax back home.

Network

Meeting people is always a good idea when it comes to finding work. If you’ve ever studied abroad or have friends in other countries, it can be worth getting back in touch and inquiring about opportunities. It’s equally worth reaching out on social media and asking any of your friends back home if they could make a foreign connection. A lot of people move abroad nowadays, so you may know someone, who knows someone, who could introduce you to someone in your dream business. It’s always worth asking.

Make Sure You Can Afford to Wait

Finding a job can be difficult even back home. It can take time to find the right position, and you can find yourself attending countless interviews before you find a job. This can be even worse in a different country.

So, start your job search before you move. Ideally, you should have a job waiting for you, or at least some interviews lined up. If not, make sure you’ve got enough money saved, and alternative ways to make extra online, to keep you going while you are waiting. You should also be prepared for rejection and setbacks.