Blog #3: 9 to 5, what a way to make a living!

Having entered my third month on the other side of the world, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve started my professional life in London! Given work has been the major focus of my energy and efforts this month, I couldn’t think of a better theme song and title than 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton.

A clearer sense of sense

A friend recently shared the Harvard Business Review article titled ‘How Living Abroad Helps You Develop a Clearer Sense of Self’ with me. The article states that living abroad is associated with developing a clearer sense of self whereby:

“International experiences can enhance creativity, reduce intergroup bias, and promote career success.” - Harvard Business Review (2018).

I read this article at an important juncture where I was making a decision between job offers. Reflecting on the work that energises me, as well as the culture and people with whom I would be spending a great deal of time with were key factors to consider. So, grab a cup of tea and map out your intentions. You absolutely must get in the driver’s seat when it comes to your career abroad!

Enjoy life sip by sip, not gulp by gulp

Equally, it’s essential to consider the breadth of experiences you want to have while overseas. This led me to realise that it is ok to enjoy my weekends, not be worried or buried in work and use holidays to inspire creativity! I started my job and had two weekends of travel where my horizons were totally expanded, and I was able to reset away from the laptop. Celebrating the fact that you found a job abroad, appreciating the small wins and being kind to yourself are total cup filling ingredients you need in your pot!

After a big few weeks settling into my new workplace, here are my top five tips for finding a job when moving abroad:

🔍 Hold the mirror up: Soul searching is required before a job hunt abroad! This move presents a unique window of opportunity to change every aspect in your life. Consider: Could a new role be a deal maker or breaker? I like to do a personal SWOT analysis every 6 months to evaluate my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Is your current work fulfilling and lighting your fire? What more could you be doing to make a difference? These are important questions to ask yourself!

🔍 Explore EVERY option before you jump: Find out which industries are thriving, what skills are in demand, any visa requirements and tax implications for working abroad. Is a secondment on the cards with your current company? Can you seek a transfer? If not, would a career break be a possibility? Or is exiting gracefully and trying something new really what you’re after?

🔍 Network, network, network: Build a community of ex/current colleagues, peers from University and other walks of life who you know have moved abroad (a bonus if they are based in your destination country!) Connect with those at companies in locations you are interested in and seek their time to ask about their experiences – everything from applications to interviews can have a very different style and flavour!

🔍 Cold message and connect: In coming to London a mentor said to me, “You have to kiss a lot of frogs” which is very true from my experience with the job search. With thousands of applications submitted each day to companies you really need to consider how to cut through. What is your differentiator? Drop into recruiters’ inboxes on LinkedIn or via email and make yourself noticed!

🔍 Personal brand: Never underestimate the value of your brand. Your reputation is a commodity and how you present your offline and online persona’s (even more so now) are so key to you landing the right fit!

“Life is like a cup of tea. It’s all in how you make it.” – Unknown

Like a new pair of shoes that need to be worn a few times before they are comfortable, it takes time to settle in to your work environment abroad. Embrace the cultural nuances and time it takes to adapt to your new surroundings. This is a new beginning and there are bound to be a few bumps along the way!

Are you searching for or have recently landed a job abroad? Would love to hear your experiences on the process. Please share in the comments, along with any feedback you have!

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