Looking For A Job Abroad: Be Mentally Prepared

Posted on 16. Nov, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Working Abroad
2 comments

So. You’ve been putting quite a bit of work into getting ready to apply for jobs overseas. You’ve been making connections with new people. You have done your due dilligence. You have brainstormed a number of different options in case you need to get creative with your next career move.

All of this, however, is just a warm-up – like any other endurance sport, job-hunting requires you to be mentally prepared as well if you want to last the distance.

By all means go ahead and start applying for positions that look interesting, but do keep the following in mind so that you don’t fizzle out after a couple of weeks:

Keep your expectations realistic

- You already know that it may take months before you find a job. So plan accordingly: a big enough financial cushion will do wonders for your peace of mind. Put this time to good use by meeting as many people as you can, exploring your new surroundings and getting familiar with the local culture – all things that will boost your comfort level and your happiness once you do get a job.

- If you plan on taking an entry-level job, don’t assume you’ll find one immediately. Competition – both from locals and fellow newcomers – is often fiercer than for more qualified positions.

- Be prepared to take – and quit – several jobs before you find the right one. When you can tell a job is not going to work out, move on quickly. Unless you turn into a chronic job-hopper unable to stay put anywhere, a few short stints will hurt your resume less than staying stuck in a dead-end position for too long.

Set concrete goals

- Give yourself a structure to make sure that you get out of bed in the morning. You can choose to work on your job search from 9:00 to 5:00, as if it were your full-time job. Or you can decide in advance how many new contacts, applications, and follow-up calls you’ll make every day – and once you’re done, go play and explore your new country.

- Another great way to put your time off work to good use: keep your professional skills current, or learn new ones. Intensive language training would be an excellent choice, both in terms of employability and self-confidence.

- Review your life goals – not just those that are job-related. Are there any once-in-a-lifetime experiences on your list, like climbing a mountain or going on a trip somewhere? If finances allow, this break from work could be the perfect time to make it happen.

Take good care of yourself

- You will have your emotional ups-and-downs during your job search, so reach out to your support networks, far and near. Call your friends and family back home, but only if you’re sure that they’re going to be supportive, which is not always the case. Join a local job-seeker network for moral support, accountability and insider’s tips on the local job market.

- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat nutritious food, even if you’re on a budget (vegetables are cheaper than junk food anyway), and make sure to get enough exercise to keep your energy levels and your spirits up. Go to bed and get up at a reasonable hour, even if it’s tempting to stay up all night and sleep in all morning.

- Don’t become so consumed by your job search that it throws your whole life off balance. Don’t deny yourself little pleasures or a good long break every now and then because you feel that “you don’t deserve them”. Normal life goes on during your job search, so you might as well make it as pleasant as possible.

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized job search advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Images by namianelf80 (top), and 2create (bottom), both via Flickr Creative Commons