How to job search when you are following your partner to a new country

Relocation is not easy at the best of times but starting a new job search when you have just arrived in a new country can be a big challenge.

Are you in a new country?

First of all there maybe elements of settling into your new country. Your partner has a new role, is immediately meeting new colleagues and learning more not just about the job but about the new country too.

How can you settle in quickly? There are many websites that give you quick information on the country you are living in. You will want to focus on health providers, groceries, culture, sports facilities amongst other things.

Once you and any family are finding your feet and way around you will need to think about the job search.

Your job search check list

1. Make sure your language skills are of a good standard.  If not, enrol on some language courses to help you with day to day and commercial conversations.
2. Check that you have a current and valid visa to work in your new country.
3. Are there any specific inter-cultural issues  you need to be aware of?
4. Decide specifically what area you want to work in, drill down to a particular role in an industry and location. Make sure your skills, knowledge and experience match your chosen career field.
5. Update your Resume/CV and ensure that it is the correct format for working in the new country.  Different countries expect different content and format. If in doubt speak to a career specialist.
6. Carry out extensive market research.  Using different search engines, compile as much information about the field you want to apply for and ensure that your new Resume/CV captures the key words appropriately.
7. For a truly varied job search you need to be using different marketing tools. Update your LinkedIn profile and instead of titling your profile as ‘job search‘ or ‘looking for new opportunity’; headline yourself as the role you want to be seen in.
8. Be proactive on LinkedIn particularly.  Use groups and contacts well, ask questions and get advice from others who have been in your situation.
9. Network.  Build and use your on-line network and connections well but also start to network face:face.  Use Meet-Ups to meet new people with similar interests, backgrounds or nationalities.  Begin to tell your story and what you are looking for and how they might be able to help.
10. Research the best media to find jobs that are within your target area.  Do you need to use an agency or can you use one of the large jobsites?  What specialist journals are there that you could read either on-line or in a library.  Most will have a job opportunities section.
11. Make applications that match your skills, knowledge and experience. To be successful in your job search you need to demonstrate that you are an exact match to the vacant post.
12. Keep a diary or log on a spreadsheet of the applications you make.  Follow up as much as you can and keep records of key words and tailored Resume/CVs.
13. Rehearse your success stories using a STAR technique.  Make sure you are fluent in your explanations in your new country’s language.  Ask your partner for feedback.

And once you have succeeded at interview be prepared to negotiate.  Remember cultural differences will rear their head at this point.  Negotiation in different cultures means different things.

If you would like more information, let me know.

photo credit: Citizens’ Corner debate on freedom of movement in the EU via photopin (license)

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