Looking for Work Abroad Check Out These 4 Tips

Looking for Work Abroad Check Out These 4 Tips Looking for Work Abroad Check Out These 4 Tips 2With an estimated 6  million Americans working and living abroad, either working remotely with American companies or through local jobs, Americans are no stranger to the expat life. Due to the rise in remote work opportunities, its no surprise that American professionals are looking for work abroad and taking their work to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Many professionals choose to incorporate travel into their professional life by staying in one location for a couple of weeks or more, and others choose to settle down, create a local community, and find work that way. Whatever path is chosen, there are a few tips you should know before embarking on a global work journey. Here are four tips to successfully find work abroad: 1. Create your community. First and foremost, find your community. It is easier now than ever to find expats using tools such as Meetup.com and Facebook. So get the ball rolling on this before you leave American soil. Expats can help connect you with other travelers and working professionals, help you get the lay of the land, help you find  American comforts abroad, and keep you grounded by providing you with some perspective when living abroad gets tough- which it inevitably will. 2. Learn the language. Traveling somewhere for a week and moving somewhere are two very  different beasts. You can manage a week in a foreign country without speaking the language, but if you plan on working abroad, its best to have a least  a basic understanding of the language. There are a wealth of online resources, online tutors such as italki, and courses at community colleges that are all very affordable ways to either brush up on or completely learn a new language. Dont underestimate the importance of this when looking for work abroad.   3. Understand the culture. Working in a new country means that you will have to understand the basic culture of the country in order to succeed professionally. Educational, degree, and licensing expectations are bound to differ, as well as application materials, such as a cover letter and resume. Its important to understand the differences in expectations before applying for a job. In many foreign countries, applicants and employers are required to justify why a foreign citizen is better suited for a job than a resident. If your potential or current employer is able to help you with this step, you will save a considerable amount of time and money. 4. Find a job. There are several options for finding a job.  The first is to check with your existing company to see if they offer any overseas opportunities. Companies will take care of your documents (such as a work visa) and sometimes travel arrangements and costs. Another  option is teaching abroad- many companies such as InterExchange  and TeachAway  offer programs. Check to see if you need a TEFL certification. There is plenty of money to be made, unlimited travel opportunities, and the support of the teaching organization. This is a great way to test out a country and the expat life, and it could also be a segue for a more permanent job in that country. You could also search for a remote work opportunity. has a work-from-anywhere  jobs page that lists hundreds of freelance, telecommuting, and part-time jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world. Most jobs require an Internet connection, so if youll be working in public, check out the WorkFrom  website to read reviews on cafes and their Internet speeds, noise levels, outlet access, and many other important factors to consider when working  in public.   Lastly, many people wait until they are actually in the country to try to find work. Sometimes, companies will not hire unless you are in the country and it can be a lot easier to make connections in person. If youre a risk-taker and have the savings to back it up, this might be the path for you.   Search for a Remote Job