How to Change Your Career in a New Country

*This is a collaborative post

Some people just see their job as a way of earning money. Many people clock in at 9, clock off at 5, and then don’t worry about work for the rest of the day. Some people might even enjoy their work so much that the time spent in the office is their favourite time of the day. Many others might not be so lucky. Some people spend all morning trying to motivate themselves to get out of bed, and then spend their evening in a horrendous mood after a bad day at work.

If you’re the latter, maybe it’s time to find a new career. Whilst you’re thinking about this big change, consider whether there are any other big life changes you want to make at the same time. Quitting the UK for a different country could make that career move even more enjoyable. Whilst it may sound daunting, it could be a massively rewarding adventure for you and your family. Here are a few things to consider before changing your career in a new country.

Decide what you don’t like about your job

The most important thing to decide is what exactly is making you so miserable about your current job. Is it the pay? Is it the colleagues you’re working with? Or is it that you just don’t like the company or organisation you work for? If it’s any of these, you might find the same job could be more enjoyable in a different country.

For example, the NHS in England is a lot different to the healthcare industry in America. Many doctors and nurses are paid more and it’s likely there’ll be more resources available to help you do your job in America’s hospitals. If you’re already a nurse in the UK, you might think you’ll have to repeat much of your training to be qualified to work in the U.S. In fact, many UK qualifications are recognised in the U.S., and it might just take a short course to allow you to work in America’s hospitals.

You could even train for a more senior role whilst you’re learning about the U.S. healthcare system. For example the Baylor University offers dnp fnp courses, better known as Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner courses, to help you become the equivalent of a British GP. The online nursing programme is mainly based online, meaning you could even start your training before leaving the UK. Once you’ve learnt what you need to know, the nationally recognised faculty will then find you a placement to help complete the practical side of your course.

Start over from scratch?

On the other hand, if you decide it’s actually the industry you are working in that’s making you miserable, you might want to consider changing your career completely. Moving to a new country without a job lined up is a scary prospect. It could also make getting a visa to permanently stay in the country near impossible depending on which country you’re going to.

Luckily, it’s now just as easy to find a job in a different country than it is to find one in the UK. If you were looking for a new job over here, you’d probably start by looking at one of the many British job websites. All you need to do instead is find a job website for the country you’re looking to move to.

There’s nothing stopping you from accessing or even applying for jobs in a different country. You’ll just need to send your CV or application form off in the same way you’d submit one for a job in the UK. One thing to keep in mind is any difference in spellings between the country.

For example, many American spellings of certain words won’t be the same as the ones you’re used to using in the UK. You may think if you successfully secure an interview that you’d have to fly over to meet the employers face to face. Many companies would now be happy to accommodate an online interview using conferencing software such as Zoom or Skype. Don’t be afraid to ask if this is possible. As some people will be applying for jobs from other states, the idea of online interviews is a lot more common in places like America than in the UK.

Check the restrictions before you jet off

Once you’ve found your dream job in a different country, there’s still a whole lot of paperwork separating you from your new home. First, it’s important to apply for your visa as soon as you’ve got your job secured. Many visas will need evidence that you have a job before allowing you permanent access to the country, so ask your soon-to-be employer for a letter you can send to the country’s government. In some countries, including America, you might even need to arrange an interview with the country’s immigration office.

Make sure you arrange this well in advance of the period you expect to be jetting off. After you’ve secured a job and a visa, it’s time to sort out your new life. Find a property website for the country you’re moving to and start looking for properties near your new place of work. You may want to travel to your new home before signing any paperwork to check that it is up to standard. Many property renters and sellers can use clever camera trickery when taking photos to make rooms look bigger and hide any construction damage or unsightly features. If you can’t make it over there to view the property in person, ask whether you can view the house virtually over video conferencing software.

Then, it’s just a matter of moving out of your current home. Furniture can cost a lot to ship overseas, so try and sell off any bulky pieces you’re not overly fond of rather than taking them with you. Once you’ve reduced your belongings, pack a few suitcases with enough to help you get settled for a few weeks and then organise a shipping company to deliver any
other belongings once you arrive.