Things you need to know before going abroad for job

If you want your time working abroad to be convenient rather than filled with new challenges almost every day, these are the things you need to know before going abroad for a job.

Let’s be honest here, going abroad for work is not a bed of roses. However, it also amplifies career prospects and life experiences. Due to this, relocating abroad is considered by a myriad of early career researchers as well as those who want a change from their mundane life.

There is a reason for people starting to explore the possibilities beyond their home country. Just to name a few – The global companies, endless work opportunities, academic posts justifying the qualifications and of course a chance to travel and explore other countries while also making a leaving etcetera are the reasons why going abroad for a job is a trend simply doesn’t get obsolete.

10 Things you Need to Know Before you Work Abroad

While taking an overseas role is not a joke, there are definitely some steps and checklists that will make your life so much easier if you follow them. We are here to help you with this.

Below we present you ten things you need to take into account if you are trying to relocate abroad for a job.

1. Latest update of your destination country and state

One of the first and most important things you have to know while considering to take up a post abroad is the situation and update of that country.
This encompasses everything from the political stability of the location, economic progression or regression, foreigner’s safety, current health issues or natural disaster probabilities etcetera.
For instance, you wouldn’t want to go to a country that is lately being victimized by a natural calamity like earthquake and hasn’t done anything about it. This can cause a serious problem for you and put you in a predicament if you had no clue about it till the very end.

2. Language and possible language barriers

when you are traveling abroad, it’s crucial that you know their language. Now, we know that excelling in a language within a short period of time can get difficult but you have to know the basics and have the attitude to learn.

Let’s imagine a scenario- somehow you manage to get a work without knowledge of the international language or the language of that country, now how will you follow the instructions if you don’t understand their tongue?  This can seriously hinder you in your work progress and create a difficult workplace environment for you.
Language is certainly one of the things to know before going abroad for a job. You will excel over time but you need to at least understand them and respond. You should know the possible language barriers and difficulties you will face to learn them.

Furthermore, you need to know the problems that might arise if you don’t know the foreign language properly. This has 2 advantages.
Firstly, the problem you face won’t be a surprise for you, so you can prepare for it. Secondly, it will further motivate you to learn the language. 

3. A good employer is just as important as Good opportunity

Knowing that the opportunity is good is not enough. You should research, or reach out to people who have knowledge about your future employer before relocating.
A good employer will make your life in an unknown foreign land much easier.

A good company or employer will take decent care of you when it comes to leasing arrangements, understanding local laws, and taxes. They acknowledge that you are a human and get ill once in a while.
So, researching about this and holding onto a good employer along with the good opportunity is important

4. Visa conditions

You have to garner as much information regarding the work visas. This might even require you to research extensively for this as different countries have distinct kinds of work visas.
Many countries require you to have a work permit or visa to do a job legally. There might be some exceptions though.

For example, the citizens of the countries in the European Union (EU) need not require these permits or visas to work in other EU countries. In addition to that, for those wanting to settle permanently in countries like Australia and Canada, there is a point-based system.

If you are thinking about relocating for a job, we highly recommend you to visit the foreign embassy site of the country you are aiming for the relevant information.
The intricate visa process usually leads to employers taking the responsibility of getting you a work visa. Be absolutely sure about this though. If your job package doesn’t encompass your employers obtaining the work visa for you, get ready or a hell of paperwork, so good luck!

5. Health insurance of your prospect country

No country in the world is disease or accident immune right?
If you go abroad without any knowledge of Health cost and insurance, be prepared for a real shocker. Without health insurance to back you up, Medical bills can be very high in some countries.
Domestic health insurance won’t cover your medical bills and expenses when you are working aboard.
Getting Travel insurance only covers the medical expenses of leisure travel so even that will be of no use while working abroad.
For working abroad, you can get health insurance in several ways. Some of them are Employer-based insurance, public or private insurance etcetera. If you want to dig higher regarding this, check-in here.

6. Information related to work/job (salary, incentives etcetera)

Before accepting a job offer and preparing to relocate overseas for it, garner as much information as you possibly can about the job. You will get the idea of salary and privileges after being offered a role. If you find any of those ambiguous or ambivalent, inquire about it upfront.
Enquire everything from your future employer. If possible, even try to contact other employees and ask them how happy they are with the job and whether they landed the job and incentives that they were promised.
Know as much as you can about leaves per week, overtime incentives, paid leaves, contract renewal, working hours.
Furthermore, do the math and have an estimate of what might be you saving after reducing all your expenses.

7. Whether the relocation cost and the Cost of living is covered by the company

This is a crucially important thing you need to know about before going overseas for work. If not exact then, an estimated average will work but you have to know about the cost of living and you should know if this expense is covered by the company.
Research about household costs and living costs have a proper approximation of the expense before you pack your bags and bid bye to your home.

Apart from the cost of living, you also should know if your company compensates for the relocation cost. Read the contract and even ask your employer or agents about this.
If your company is paying your relocation cost, be sure to find out what your relocation budget encompasses.  (for instance, travel costs, shipping furniture, transit costs, temporary accommodation after arrival etcetera. )

8. Culture and history of the company

Knowing about the history and cultural background of the company you will be working for is important for you in various ways.
Having prior information about culture and workplace ethics will let you know what you can expect from your employer. You can even judge how compatible you are with the company and how much you can adjust to it.
Also, try to know about the history of your company as much as you can. It will help a lot if you know who would you be reporting to.
If personal and professional growth is very important to you, you might even want to find out about how the company and different teams are progressing and how the employees are treated.

9. Establishing a social network never hurts

Moving abroad for a job involves you leaving your social life in your homeland to quite an extent. You should know that extending social networks in an overseas country where you are relocating will help you a lot.
This will better you in language and to do a better job. Other than that, establishing a social network abroad will make you less miserable and gloomy while you are away from your home.

Seek out like-minded people, and engage yourself in leisure activities and social events organized by the company or your colleagues there.

10. Compatibility with the weather of the country and work.

Before going abroad, it’s vital that you know the compatibility of the country you are aiming for and you in terms of weather and culture. Given that you might be working there for years, it’s important that you adjust well to the weather of your workplace.

For instance, if you can’t resist low weather, but the country you are aiming for is freezing most of the time during a year, you are unlikely to do well. Even your hard work and effort will be compromised.