Yes, you can still get a job abroad
Being stuck inside for a year has given us a serious case of wanderlust.
And with many companies now realising that it’s possible to work remotely, it could mean more of us decamping and working elsewhere (say, from a hammock). But it’s not just an opportunity to see more of the world – a stint living and working overseas could also help your career. “From my time in international HR, I’ve found that employees who’ve worked around the world bring depth, insight and cultural awareness to their roles,” explains Vicki Salemi, a careers expert for Monster (which posts worldwide job opportunities on its website). “They became far more marketable in their next job as a result of their experiences.”
Working abroad might sound amazing, but making it happen isn’t always easy, particularly at a time when overseas travel has been in turmoil. Make sure you keep up to date with travel restrictions both here and abroad, and use these insights to guide you on your next steps. Summoning up enough discipline to return to the office after spending your lunch break on the beach? That one’s down to you…
alerts to get accustomed to the typical responsibilities and requirements in your chosen location.
Where? Brexit made working in the EU a whole lot more complicated,
ending the freedom of movement and the automatic right to live and work there. If you’re hoping to move to the EU now, you’ll have to check your chosen country’s specific immigration rules, and in most cases, you’ll need a job offer before you can apply for a visa. Most countries will assess applications based on how in-demand your skills are. There are other options
– Germany offers a jobseekers visa to allow you to move for a set period and look for work, while the Netherlands offers a one-year start-up visa to encourage entrepreneurs to set up businesses there.
Meanwhile, permanently moving to the USA generally involves getting a work visa based on a specific offer of employment (unlike some countries, the US government won’t issue work visas for casual employment). If you’re only looking to work in the US for a short while, you’ll need a non-immigrant work visa. Currently, they’re only processing critical applications but aim to get normal visa services resumed ASAP.
Australia is the most popular country for Brits to emigrate to – but you’ll have to wait for their borders to reopen post-COVID. In normal circumstances, if you’re aged 18-30, you can apply for a working holiday visa to live and work there for a year in temporary employment. “It’s the quickest and cheapest way to get to Australia,” says Rachel Barnetson, business director at Hays Globalink, who helps people in the UK find jobs in Australia and New Zealand. She says there’s a common misconception that you have to work in a bar or on a farm, but the temporary work can be in your field – for example, accounting or HR.
If you want to work in Australia after you’ve turned 31, your only real option is to migrate permanently, says Barnetson. You’ll need to be in a “priority occupation” – there are currently 18, including healthcare, IT and engineering. This could expand, so keep an eye on Australia’s Department of Home Affairs website.
“Age and skills come into play”