A paramount concern about moving to a new country is the job search. More and more people are opting to start looking for a job even before they’ve moved, and this is often done by networking from afar. That means starting to talk to contacts in the new country and determining the opportunities available in your profession. Traditionally, we wait until we actually get to that new place in order to start our job searches. While face-to-face contact is almost always the best way to go, here are six ways you can get your name out there and start engaging before you even pack a box.
1. Join expat Facebook groups.
Almost every country or city has a Facebook group for expats who live there. People ask questions in these groups and support each other. If you know you’ll be moving to a certain country, see if you can find the Facebook group for expats who live there and join it! Pay attention to what people are saying about job opportunities and chances to socialize with people. Do not join the group and immediately post that you’re looking for a job. You should contribute in other ways or ask other questions before launching right into the job conversation. Your primary goal is to establish a connection with the preexisting expat community and your new home country. Also, feel free to join all the groups that you think are relevant to the location you’ll be moving to and your profession. Remember: you can always leave the group if it’s not helping you.
2. Listen to your friends and family.
When you tell your friends and family that you’re moving to another country, sometimes they’ll say, “I know someone there. My sister’s best friend’s cousin lives there!” Sure, it’s a stretch but you’ll need some friends when you get there, and that person might be a great friend or professional contact. When a friend or family member mentions they have a contact there, ask them to connect you by phone, email, or social media. Reach out to the person to let them know you’re coming and that you’d love to meet up when you get there. If you can tell that you’d like to be friends with the person or that they may be a good professional contact, you can always offer to bring something for them from your country that’s difficult to find in the country you’re moving to. By doing this, you immediately show that you’re considerate and that the connection may be mutually beneficial.
3. Check out your LinkedIn network.
Now is a good time to see who’s in your LinkedIn network and if they’re connected to anyone in your new country. If so, reach out to that contact and ask if they’d be willing to introduce you.
4. Make a list of organizations and companies you’d like to work for.
A quick Google search will give you a list of companies and organizations in the new place where you are going to work. With this list in hand, you can begin to narrow down a targeted list of where you’d like to apply and explore what job openings are available. If you’re comfortable with it, you can email or call particular companies directly and ask about upcoming opportunities. Oftentimes positions are not advertised publicly, but you may be invited to apply if you have an existing connection to the company.
5. Contact chambers of commerce.
Many countries will have a Chamber of Commerce made up of companies from a particular country. Check to see if companies from your home country have formed a group like this in your new country. Making a connection with the chamber prior to arrival can be helpful.
6. Learn the best networking strategies.
Check out Passport Career’s Country Portfolios, all of which contain a section on how to network in your destination country and contain a list of formal and informal networking opportunities.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NETWORKING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES?
Passport Career provides more detailed career information and extensive resources about networking, finding a job, internship, or alternative career opportunity. If your organization, embassy, university/college, library, or other institution would like access to our country portfolios (15,000+ pages of expert content for 80+ countries and 250+ cities) to share with your students, employees, spouses/partners, and others managing a national or international career transition, please contact us (or send email to: info@passportcareer.com) regarding a free, live, online demo and details on how to obtain a license to access Passport Career.
Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles.
Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover
the same topics? Thanks!
Hi Sdorttuii! Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I hope it helps you! Anna
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, regards. “Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought.” by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.