With life slowly going back to normal, we look to go back to the world we remembered pre covid, with many overseas workers once again looking to make their move abroad. Whether it’s their first 1st or 10th time we always need to start the job hunt to ensure we have a source of income.
I, like many other Aussies (and New Zealander’s as well), moved to the UK – London specifically – for 2 years to experience a different country and get a new perspective on life. I was asked if I had a job lined up but knew that would be difficult to do prior, so decided to wait until I arrived. I thought I had it all planned out before I left, savings to get me off the ground, find a decent place with good housemates, and get a job quickly that will pay half-decently as I was finishing my university degree.
The truth is, the way it all started went somewhat to plan. It took me slightly longer than expected but I found a place to live and found a job. As far as the job went, this was my biggest mistake. I highly recommend to everyone to have an idea of what you want to do for work and work hard towards getting it prior to your international move. I had an idea, but my mistake was saying I would do any job available. As my savings started to dwindle I got desperate and took the first role available to me. We all have to enjoy ourselves but need to remember these are all big decisions that are adding onto what is probably the biggest decision so far in moving countries.
When looking for your first role when moving abroad whether it is to a total new country, or you are returning home to where you originally came is to not take the first job available to you. I was told that finding work will be easy but the first job that was put to me was just too good to be true as I was being told about it within days of arriving. I made the mistake of throwing all my eggs into one basket and completely relying on this one role to get me over the line to say I am employed finally. I went through the interview process and within a few weeks and just over 2 months of being in London I was employed full-time. However, it was quick to occur to me that this was not the type of position I was willing to be in. The hours were all over the place and I barely had a social life. Though I stuck it out for 5 months, eventually I moved into a role I appreciated a lot more and gained better experience that would help with career progress.
Fast forward to November 2021 and my time in the UK was coming to an end. I gained plenty of work and life experience in my 2 years abroad. I knew when it came to getting my next role I should be a lot more patient especially considering the job market currently. Whether the job market was as fast as it is now, or not, I knew patience, and the right interviews were key. I did interview for other jobs in the UK but they were unsuccessful, I believe this was because I did not prepare and understand the jobs and company as best I could.
Back home in Australia, during quarantine, the job search began, and I was able to land a role that was beneficial for my career and enabled me to gain good corporate industry knowledge, in a variety of companies. I knew this job was for me as I had taken the time to understand the role, what the company stands for, and their culture, therefore knew this was a step in the right direction for my career.
The best tips I would give to anyone moving abroad and are searching for their first full-time role is:
- Be Patient, the right job will come.
- If you are desperate for money, pick up a lower-paying casual job to get you off the ground. Don’t be picky about the pay, it’s only temporary.
- Understand the company culture, and if you can, the interviewers
- Apply for a variety of roles that you think could suit you, you will get rejected at the application stage more times than you will be called for an interview
- Don’t feel down if you get rejected at any stage, there will be other roles out there
- Always ask for feedback if you are unsuccessful
- Be presentable for the interviews and dress appropriately
- Understand what the company does
- Make sure you have prepared good questions for the interviewer
The best example for this is – What do you enjoy the most about working here – and what keeps you here? (Trust me interviewers love this 2-prong question)
- Understand the interview is as much as for you as it is for the interviewers
- Initially, especially if you are a junior, pay is not everything, experience is.
- If you are no longer interested be honest with the hiring manager(s), but of course, be respectful about it, they understand
- Go with your gut, if multiple offers come around and you think there is a standout, trusting your gut will likely lead you in the right direction
Moving countries is a very daunting yet exciting process, one I thoroughly enjoyed. It was nothing as I expected, and knowing I was starting from scratch was a challenge I was willing to take. Understanding that the 2nd hardest challenge after making the move is securing your first role, and how to tackle it head on will be beneficial in the long run.