If someone decides to work abroad, there are some things to know before leaving.
Language
Knowing the language of the country you want to move to, at least at B1 level, greatly increases your chances of success. The better you know the language, the easier it will be to live and work there.
You will have a better chance of being accepted by the local community and integrating into the society that surrounds you.
The language is absolutely the first requirement you need to find work and integrate, unless you always want to live as an outsider, as unfortunately happens to many foreigners who live and work abroad.
Country
It is important that you like the place where you live and work, but many other aspects must be considered for a move.
You need to find out about the culture, the lifestyle, the weather, the real estate market, the cost of living, the level of services, the health care system and everything that affects your life in the country.
Find out about the job market, the most sought-after professions, salary levels, labor laws, job search options, the validity of your academic qualifications, recognition of degrees and diplomas, time requirements and relative costs.
Find out about the difficulties of finding accommodation and obtaining documents, and then make your plans.
Many people underestimate the importance of cultural aspects when looking for work abroad. These include language and the job market first and foremost, but also the culture in the workplace and the culture of society in general. For example, in the Nordic countries there are no hierarchies, but in France there are, and the system is very centralized. All the way to the countries of Eastern Europe and Asia, where authority is extremely important and negative or critical comments are not accepted.
Get to know yourself
It is important to know your own professional skills. You need to start with the goal of doing your job and doing it very well. Do not start with an “any job will do” attitude, which indicates a total lack of professionalism and often even turns out to be false.
For a number of reasons (language, recognition of qualifications, etc.) it may happen that at the beginning it is impossible to do one’s job, and in this case it is right to do any kind of work, but always with the final goal in mind.
You need to know your personality well (stress resistance, adaptability, etc.). Moving to a foreign country is no walk in the park. It is important to be prepared to suffer and face the problems that will come your way (and they definitely will), such as finding housing, obtaining documents, finding work, etc. At the same time, you must not forget that you will be uprooted from your familiar surroundings and will be living in a new environment, often alone and without the support of friends and family.
Acquaintances
If you know someone already living in the country who can support you (logistically, psychologically, etc.), is of great importance. Those who have friends, relatives or support locally will certainly have an advantage in their move.
Those who have no one will need to build a network of acquaintances. I recommend doing this already from your country by using social networks, joining groups of expats living in the country or other groups.
Once you arrive in the new country, it is advisable to continue building your network of acquaintances. Having someone you can turn to in a completely new environment will be essential for finding housing, finding a job, and getting help from a psychologist during difficult times.
Remember that the best results are always achieved through personal relationships. This rule applies to any country in the world where you are.
The laws
Before you move, find out about the laws in the country you are moving to, especially labor laws: minimum wage, union protection, types of contracts, hours of work, length of holiday, etc. This way you will avoid being confronted with new or unexpected situations.
