The prospect of relocation for work can be a thrilling experience filled with unlimited potential. However, it is also a very complicated and time-consuming process that can be fraught with pitfalls. If someone is considering a relocation for job prospects or a promotion within the company that requires a move abroad, here are three pieces of advice for moving to another country for work.
Make sure the company & job are a good fit
When contemplating a career move, it is wise to consider whether the organization and job opportunity are worth the disruption it will create, especially when the job involves a move abroad. Is this new position a good fit with your skill set? Does it present a real challenge or opportunity for advancement? Does the company offer support and incentives for making the transition? Is the company respectful of its employees? Can you take pride in being associated with this organization? These are some of the queries that you should address when considering a job transition, especially when the shift involves changing career paths, companies, or relocating to a different locale. If the job or organization is not the right fit, the problems that may arise could complicate the life and work of the transplant to no end.
Understand the parameters of the job
If you’re exploring a job or career change, it is important that you understand the scope and parameters of the new work opportunity. You’ll want to know what is required, and how the company intends to assist you in transitioning to your new home. There is an expected period of adjustment with any major life or career change. This is particularly true of long-distance relocations to different states or countries, which create a significant amount of upheaval in life patterns and circumstances, both on personal and professional levels.
Know what is expected & negotiate a comprehensive deal
If a company is promoting an employee to a new position abroad or recruiting them to represent their organization in a foreign land, it is expected that the business will provide support and resources to help the prospective transplant acclimate. Assistance of this nature may include relocation costs, packing and shipping belongings, a housing stipend, job recruitment services for a spouse or significant other, and help with completing paperwork for a move abroad as well as obtaining a work visa. If you accept a new position and agree to move, it is crucial that you do your research far in advance, craft a deal that meets your needs, and covers all the contingencies that arise. This way, if the situation does not work out, you’re not stranded in an unfamiliar country without resources or options.
While relocation for work may present exciting prospects and unknown opportunities, it can also be a very daunting process that yields unforeseen challenges. It is best to research everything involved in such a move and be prepared for the pitfalls that could arise prior to accepting a job abroad.
Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash