New Country? New Job? Mission Not so Impossible!

So, you have made the life changing decision to move to a different country. You have packed your bags, said your goodbyes, spent hours on the plane, shaken off the jetlag and now you are ready to start your job hunt. Moving from South Africa to Sydney at the beginning of 2016, I experienced the surprises, challenges and differences a job hunt in a new country will throw at you. I quickly learned that I would need to be proactive and ‘on-the-ball’ if I wanted to be noticed in a new country.

1. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% up to date

You have left your network of friends, family and colleagues behind. Sadly you are a newbie and you have to start from scratch building a new network in your new country. LinkedIn is definitely a step in the right direction and will help you build a personal brand and get you noticed by potential employers.

2. Keep detailed notes of the roles you have applied for

Don’t get caught up in the whirlwind of applications and end up having NO idea which role the employer / recruiter is referring to when you finally get that call back. Keep your phone close and your notes closer!

3. If you are not getting any response – pick up the phone and CALL CALL, CALL!

It’s quite daunting writing a new resume in a new country. What if the format is different? What if you don’t add enough information? What if you add way too much information? The trick to overcome that fear is to swallow your pride, pick up the phone and CALL.

4. Go to every interview you get invited to

Even if you are incredibly nervous and you have no idea what to expect, take a deep breath and go to the interview. Every interview teaches you something new and you quickly learn the do’s and don’ts. My very first experience in Australia was in car-wax sales, but hey – practice makes perfect!

5. Be confident in yourself and the skills you have learned in your country!

With a little bit of luck and a whole lot of faith, you might just find exactly what you are looking for. Good luck with your job search and remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!