Tips for finding your next international opportunity

Looking for work abroad requires patience and perseverance. Many people are looking for new adventures, both personal and professional. Expatriating abroad is a well-considered choice that will entail many changes, so it is vital to research your future host country. Do you want to gain professional experience abroad, discover new cultures and develop your career internationally? Here are our tips for finding opportunities abroad: 

Preparation & perseverance

Reactivity and anticipation are key words when it comes to meeting recruiters’ requirements, and you need to be always ready for an interview. Moreover, a job interview requires a great deal of preparation, so you need to do your research beforehand. Stay on top of new opportunities posted on job boards, professional social networks and platforms dedicated to international recruitment.

In addition to you job searches, we advise you to set up alerts based on the position you are aiming for, the location you are looking for, or the sector of activity in which you would like to develop.

Remain patient: from research to contract signature, finding a job opportunity that matches your expectations can take time. Indeed, recruitment processes can sometimes be long, so do not be discouraged. Stay motivated and always communicate positively to make a good impression on recruiters. Moreover, anticipate the time-consuming administrative formalities as early as possible, as some employers require you to have a visa or work permit to work with them.

In some cases, it is necessary for the employer to sponsor the potential candidate before issuing a visa or work permit. We advise you to look into these administrative issues as early as possible and discuss them with your future employer to find out how they can help you meet these conditions. The websites of foreign government embassies can also provide you with information on their country’s labor regulations. 

Social media dedicated to recruitment and networking

Use your social network to let people know you are looking for a job abroad. You can also use these networks to find a job, network with professionals and share your portfolio with your followers. Some job fairs welcome international employers. If you are oral communication is your forte, choose a job fair that presents opportunities abroad, and meet with company representatives. 

Many employers post vacancies on various online job boards. International job boards can of course be useful for finding a position abroad, country-specific sites can help you find positions that are not listed on the usual sites. 

Company career pages allow you to apply for vacancies directly on the company website. Career pages can also contain more update information than an external service, and hold information referring to the employer brand. 

Relying on a quality network facilitates the transition and increases your chances of finding a professional opportunity. Some large multinational companies allow you to transfer to branches abroad. If you are already employed by such a company, consider contacting your supervisor to determine whether this option is feasible with your current employer.

Adapt your resume 

If you are interested in applying for a job with a foreign company, make sure you find out how to proceed before sending your application. Recruitment processes vary from one country to another, so it is up to you to adapt to their culture by doing your research beforehand.

A resume is a very good example of a document where the methodology and information to be presented varies from country to an another. Some countries, such as Canada, require that CVs include no photos of applicants. Adapt the titles of your diplomas and find their equivalents and make your CV easier to read by adopting a common language with recruiters.

Make sure you use the keywords mentioned in the job description. In fact, the keywords used in your CV must correspond to the local language, and we recommend that you translate your entire CV into the official language of the country in which you work, provided you are fluent in it.

On LinkedIn, you can create your profile in a different language from your default profile, which will increase your visibility and ensure that everyone understands you. 

Add value to your professional experience and qualifications

On the lookout for promising talent, recruiters seek out the best candidates on recruitment sites and dedicated platforms. By communicating and promoting your professional experience and qualifications, you increase the chances of your profile being perceived by recruiters.

We also advise you to optimize your LinkedIn profile, paying particular attention to your choice of keywords, and presenting your career path concisely. Remember to illustrate the actions you have taken in your previous experiences in your CV, cover letter, and during the job interview by indicating a few key figures, results, design etc.

Employers pay a great deal of attention to the language skills of applicants, and we recommend that you reinforce or maintain them so that your profile matches their expectations. It would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity due to your language skills. To strengthen your skills, we advise you to practice the language, read the news, change the language of your telephone or computer, or take a language course. 

Recruitment firms: a real solution 

Trusting recruitment firms such as Fed Africa, specialists in top and middle management positions in Africa and the Middle East, makes it easier for you to find opportunities. At Fed Africa, our consultants have a real understanding of the market in which you operate.

By delegating your job search to recruitment experts, you considerably increase your chances of finding a job that matches your expectations, as well as saving you time. Sharing your resume with Fed Africa means joining our shared database, benefiting from a vast network and enjoying a confidential mandate that you would not find on the conventional market.

Our consultants act as ambassadors for your application to our clients. Moreover, they advise you throughout the recruitment process, and support you from the beginning of your search to your starting day at your new company.

To sum up, finding international opportunities requires patience and rigor, as international recruitment processes can take a long time to materialize. Anticipation will enable you to begin the recruitment process more serenely: be always ready to conduct a job interview, start your administrative procedures as soon as possible, etc. Extend your presence on professional social networks and platforms dedicated to recruitment, and present your technical and interpersonal skills to recruiters. Adapt your content to the culture and customs of your chosen country. Once you have assembled your application documents and updated your CV, consider having it proofread by a family member or friend. Write a cover letter, send in your application and be patient while you wait for a reply. Looking for an international opportunity? Send us your resume via our spontaneous application form. Check out our current vacancies on our website and on our LinkedIn page.