The easiest ways to secure a position in another country include having an outstanding resume, obtaining a transfer from an international company that operates locally, or maintaining a relationship with someone in another country who knows you and your work well.

Understand the viewpoint of companies....

Unless you are applying for a position in a country which has limited resources, there is little incentive for employers to hire candidates who are outside the country or are newcomers. These candidates add a significant overhead to the hiring process. The risks of the arrangement falling through are much higher than for local established resources.

Hiring someone from outside the country is similar to thinking about importing your weekly groceries from another country. Does this really make sense? However, you might do this if you need a specialty product, or if local products are poor quality, not available, or cannot be located. In the same way, an employer may consider an out-of-country candidate, if their skills and value outshines locally identifiable candidates, and they are available in a reasonable period of time and at a reasonable cost.

You can only be an outstanding match for positions which authentically match the "Real You". This should be the focus of your resume content as opposed to tailoring your resume to fit a position. To get attention from employers, authentic presentation must be evident from start to finish in your resume... and it must be higher in quality than local resources with the same skillset. In addition your resume must be clearly identifiable to the people looking for you. It takes exact knowledge to present your skills this way.

The position you are most likely to win is the one where the requirements authentically match your skills and experience closely. If you understand your "Full Value", you have presented it on your resume, and are able to do it in an interview you can be most effective.

The next challenge is to get your resume in the hands of employers who need your exact skills. The way to do this is to make sure your resume is visible and reachable to as many employers as possible. Posting on LinkedIn makes you visible. However, there is no substitute for putting your WORD / PDF resume directly in the hands of someone who needs your skills.

Part of presenting your "Full Value" is having a thorough list of keywords on your resume. It just takes one missing keyword to exclude you from a recruiter search. "If a recruiter can't find you, identify your exact skills, or contact you, they will not be able to offer you a position! "

If you are from outside the country you may be rejected no matter what you do. However, in cases where you have a chance.. if you ask for visa help, or financial assistance from the employer, it simply confirms that you don't know what you are doing. It is up to YOU to solve all the logistical problems for the employer. For example if a grocery store in another country contacted you to buy a breakfast cereal and asked you to figure out shipping charges, import duties, and legal costs, as well as wait for 6 months, what would you think?

This perspective may lead you to improve your presentation and change your approach to market yourself. It is good to know this so you focus your efforts in the most productive way.

Other Considerations

  • High probability of a snag (visa, logistics, change of plans)
  • Cultural fit concerns
  • Time required to settle down (family distractions, moving, permits, licenses, id)
  • High probability of the candidate changing their mind
  • High probability of the candidate using the position as an anchor to get in the country to secure another position
  • Employees discouraged from spending time on high risk candidates