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The guide to Moving Abroad- Everything you’ll need to know to
ensure a smooth transition
Moving down
the street can be hard enough, let alone moving to a completely different
country. Despite being one of the most exciting times of your life, it can also
be particularly stressful, especially if you find yourself unprepared for what
lies ahead. This manual aims to provide you with the necessary information to
ensure as smooth a transition as possible to your new destination.
Chapter 1: Your New Home- What do you know about it?
Before agreeing to move, you should do some research on your intended
destination. Every country is different and unique. Moving to a new country
means you will become immersed within an entirely different culture. If you have
not properly prepared for this event it will come as quite a shock to you, as
all of the traditions you are familiar with are replaced with new and foreign
ones.
There have been recommendations suggesting a pre-move visit to view the housing
markets and job prospects; however this is not always possible nor is it
particularly feasible. If however the aforementioned is a possibility, visiting
your possible future destination will give you the opportunity to view the
cultures and customs associated with this new country. It would also make the
process of finding accommodation (Chapter 3) much easier.
In the event that a pre-move visit is not possible it is important to research
and find as much information as possible about the country in which you intend
to live. Start by researching information available on the internet. Here you
will find a broad range of information on any topic you care to learn about. Try
participating in an online forum. This will give you the chance to communicate
with people who have visited or are currently living in your intended
destination. Take this opportunity to voice any questions or concerns you may
have.
Some information you might like to familiarize yourself with will be political,
social and environmental factors of the country. These may be quite different to
those you are normally accustomed to, so by learning as much as possible in
advance you will ensure you are prepared and not in for any unexpected surprises
once you relocate.
Learning about the social ideals of your intended destination will optimize your
chances of settling in quickly and becoming comfortable with your new
environment as you will be able to identify with new friends and work colleagues
and socialize in a culturally appropriate manner. In the long run this will make
adjusting to your new life significantly easier by creating a friendly and
supportive environment within your new home.
Researching your possible new location is also important in regards to knowing
the safety level and required security measures of your particular country. Some
countries may be in a state of war or may have been declared dangerous, an
important issue to be aware of. For information on your intended destination
locate travel reports on your government website, which will be able to provide
updated information on the current state of the country.
Chapter 2: Finding and Evaluating Employment Overseas
Many people move abroad for work related purposes. Even if you are not moving
abroad for reasons such as these, a permanent change in location will probably
mean that you at some stage will be working in your new country.
A wide variety of work exists in most countries. This chapter will provide you
with information on finding jobs and evaluating how suitable they will be for
your situation.
Firstly, decide what it is you require in a job. Will you be building on
previous skills or starting something new? How long will you be planning to work
for?
There are several different ways in which an individual may search for work
overseas.
The most common method of seeking employment is to do it yourself rather than
rely on an agency. Start searching for work over the internet. If you begin
searching after you have moved to your intended destination, try searching in
local newspapers. Once you have identified suitable job, apply by following the
instructions set out in the job advertisement. Application requirements will
vary according to the type of job you are applying for, so ensure you read the
application details carefully.
As you are offered positions, it is important you evaluate them carefully before
you accept. Whilst attending interviews feel free to ask as many questions of
them as they of you. Ask about the organization as a whole and to see
references. It may also help to search their website online.
If you are being offered a contract make sure you examine it extremely carefully
and that you agree to all outlined terms before you sign. Ensure you fully
understand all details of the contract and that it details all financial
conditions (such as currency wage is being paid in and when you will receive
your first pay check). If you are still in your original location (i.e. have not
yet moved to your new destination) it may be worthwhile to let your lawyer
inspect the contract. It may also be an idea to find out the repercussions of
breaking the contract if the new job does not work out. During negotiations,
some employers may offer plane tickets back to your country of origin upon
completion of your job, however do not always follow through. To ensure this
does not happen, request an open-ended or round trip ticket in advance.
Some jobs online may sound too good to be true, and in many cases they are.
Avoid jobs offering quick easy money- this is particularly true for women as
these jobs often turn out to be prostitution rings.
Organizations aimed at helping people find work overseas exist, and are
particularly beneficial as they eliminate the need to thoroughly investigate and
research job opportunities and in many cases may organize visas, work permits
and accommodation for the successful applicant.
If you hold a professional qualification it may be worth applying for work via
the submission of your resume to a recruitment agency. As above, these eliminate
the need for intense research into the job or company and may also provide the
required documentation for working overseas.
Another method utilized in finding work abroad is obtaining a transfer through
the current place of work. Some work places are able to offer posting overseas
through international links. For more information it may be worthwhile
contacting the human resources department in your place of employment.
Before arriving at your intended destination, plan ahead and take extra copies
of your resumes and other relevant documentation in order to pursue other types
of employment abroad. This will increase your chances of obtaining a job
suitable to your needs.
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