Looking For A Job Abroad: Don’t Give Up!

Posted on 20. Nov, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Working Abroad
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You’ve been looking for work for a while now, and things are not exactly easy. You’re trying your best, yet you can’t seem to find a decent job. Should you give up?

The answer is simple: Heck no! This is an endurance race you’re running, not a sprint. This is why you’ve been planning accordingly, remember? Now you need to maintain your morale over the long run, so that you don’t feel tempted to drop out.

Steel yourself against rejection

- Expect not to hear back from recruiters. HR departments are cutting back on staff too, and they seldom have time to get back to candidates whose applications are not successful. Don’t get angry or frustrated when you don’t hear back – that’s just the way many companies deal with applications.

- Don’t start second-guessing your employability with every rejection letter. If you did everything right but still didn’t get the job, just move on. If you knew your application wasn’t as strong as it could have been, make sure the next one is better.

- Understand that sometimes you won’t get the job for arbitrary reasons. Some recruiters (particularly in Europe) still use graphology to choose between shortlisted candidates. Graphology, for Pete’s sake! I think we all agree that the way you cross your T’s doesn’t say anything about the quality of your application, so don’t take it personally, OK?

Limit your negativity intake

- Do you have pessimistic friends, or judgemental relatives? Keep them at arm’s length for the time being, and call home less often if you have to. I don’t care if they’re your best friend or your favourite aunt – the last thing you need right now is to be surrounded by doomsayers.

- Likewise, turn off the TV (you should be working on your applications anyway!) and don’t become obsessed with gloomy headlines about the job market. Let the government worry about the global economy, and focus on what you can do to find your own job in your own field. Knowing too much about “how bad things are” can easily become a cop-out for not trying harder.

- Remember that your employment status doesn’t define you. You don’t become worthless or “less than” because you’re looking for a job. Don’t let “jobless” become your main label in life.

Keep contributing

- Volunteering is a great way to feel useful and boost your morale. As an additional benefit, you’ll get to practice the language and make new contacts in the local community.

- Look for opportunities to help other job hunters. Everyone can use a bit of moral support, an offer to go for coffee or a practical tip.

- Just because you’re looking for work doesn’t mean you get to neglect your “other job”: adjusting to the local culture and contributing to the local community. Talk to people. Reach out to fellow newcomers. Be a good neighbour and friend. The better integrated you are, the better you will perform in your future job.

One final tip

Remember why you’re doing this. It is your dream to live in this country. You’re not just looking for a job – you’re making it possible to live the life you chose for yourself.

So don’t give up. Your dream is worth overcoming a few obstacles, don’t you think?

Good luck!

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Emmanuelle

Images by unpatitodegoma (top), My Name is Rom™ and AdamCohn (bottom), all via Flickr Creative Comm