A different culture, a change of environment, a new job – it’s the dream of many people to earn a living in another country and start an international career! However, moving abroad does not only impact your personal but also your professional life. There are a few important facts to consider before buying your plane ticket and starting your adventure. Read our article and find out what you have to know when relocating to a new place!
Working conditions while on your contract abroad
Before you decide to accept an offer abroad, you must read the job description carefully. You should only sign the contract if it clearly states what is expected from you and your position. Not all countries have strict employment laws and even if they do, employers may not enforce them. Therefore, study the regulations of your destination country and your contract to avoid getting bamboozled!
Go on holidays first
Why commit, if you can go for a test ride first? Before becoming an expat, take an extended vacation! Spending some time abroad will shed light on the pros and cons of a new nation and it will allow you to really feel confident about moving there. On top of that, you can figure out in which area you would like to live. Start making first business connections – coworking and shared offices spaces are a great place to meet like-minded people!
Expanding your network on your contract abroad
By moving to another country, you will start to see the global marketplace from a different perspective. With eCommerce and international trade playing such a big role in today’s business world, this can be worth gold. Your profound knowledge about your origin country can be an asset to your new employer. And one day, if you want to leave the country again, you will be an “expert” in your destination country. This helps you to achieve a competitive advantage in your future job. Therefore, get ready to significantly expand your professional connections! However, also maintain your professional network at home – you never know when you will need it again!
Using a different language everyday
Can you imagine working in a foreign language every day and be a part of a different culture? This will definitely make you a better communicator! At the beginning, it is of utmost importance to observe carefully, rather than jumping into conclusions. How do your colleagues communicate? What is considered appropriate in your workplace?Working abroad will not only make you understand others better, but also make you think in a fresh way. Your interpersonal skills and your cultural awareness will increase quickly.
Experience different ways of doing business
If you are an expert in your field and then suddenly move to another country to continue your career: get ready to forget about “your way” of working! Depending on the country, you will have to conduct business completely different than you are used to. It is highly recommendable to research the business etiquette of your destination country to avoid possible complications. Once you successfully adjust to the new practices, your reward will be high! Your mind will tend to think out-of-the-box and you will be more effective at work. And what’s the best part? You’ll take this knowledge with you wherever you go!
Get the right accommodation
A lot of seasonal employers like ski resorts, hostels or theme parks offer accommodation for their employees. However, check the accommodations carefully before accepting the offer. Some of them are very affordable and sometimes there is a good reason why. Maybe you won’t have that much space? Or the kitchen is not fully equipped? Take-out meals or restaurants can be expensive (assuming they are even available where you’re living). Research your potential home carefully to make sure you know what to expect.
VISIONAPARTMENTS – worldwide
Founded in Switzerland in 1999, VISIONAPARTMENTS specialises in renting furnished apartments with service and style. The Swiss market leader offers over 1’800 temporary accommodation in Berlin, Frankfurt, Lausanne, Warsaw, Vienna, Zug and Zurich. Further locations will soon follow in Basel, Zurich Glattbrugg, Geneva and Vevey. To enhance its global presence, VISIONAPARTMENTS cooperates with partner companies. The serviced apartment network offers over 130,000 accommodations in more than 850 business destinations worldwide. These can all be booked on visionapartments.com. If you are interested in renting a serviced apartment, you can find more details here.
Find a place with a great work-life balance
In most of the countries with a great work-life balance, expats’ satisfaction with their life abroad is above-average — for example in Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand. You should take into consideration a variety of factors, such as average working hours, time devoted to play, number of bank holidays and the length of your commute.If you don’t want to spend extra hours at work and appreciate your freetime, be careful to choose a place where the circumstances are favorable.
Enjoy the sun every day
If you are in a great mood, chances are, bad weather won’t bring you down too much. But if you are already stressed, a cold, rainy day can easily make your mood go from bad to worse. That’s why it is always recommendable to look for a sunny place to move to. Expats seeking an outdoor lifestyle with lots of sunshine should consider Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Uganda, South Africa, Malta, Mexico or Cyprus. Imagine waking up every morning with the wonderful sunshine, and enjoying a morning coffee on your terrace – sounds promising, right?
Look for someone from your country
Once you are going to work abroad you can always try to find people from your home country. Maybe there is even someone working at your company with the same nationality? You can easily find expats on specific platforms and social media channels. Once you start setting up your social network with the right people, you will soon feel at home!
