Working as an expat can be challenging, things aren’t the same as your home country and getting adjusted can take some time. Today on Travel Tip Tuesday, Samantha from Sam Sees World walks us through her working as an expat tips.
Tips for working as an expat
As travelers, we are always looking for new places around the world to live and set up a base for some time. However, even us travelers need to make money and getting a job is the best way to do so. But as an expat, getting a job is not as easy as in your home country.
Getting a job as an expat can be frustrating and defeating. It feels like there is continually something stopping you and always some loophole to sort your way through. It is especially tricky when you don’t know anyone who has landed a job abroad as an expat and have no one to go to for advice. Luckily for you, I went through the grueling expat finding a job process and learned a lot during my journey, and I would love to share this information with you!
However, getting a job varies by country as each place has its own set of rules and regulations. But no matter how different the nation may seem, even a little bit of information and tips on how to land a job is something. I will also give you some tips on additional side jobs you can do while waiting to land a full-time position.
I am originally from Canada, and I am now living in Amsterdam. I have lived here for two years now, starting as a student and as of recently landing a job. My journey to landing a job may be a little different than most, but I did learn a lot of valuable information along the way.
In the Netherlands, a company can only hire you if they prove to the government that there is no one else from the Netherlands who can do this job. Basically, it is pretty difficult. However, I did my master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam and therefore, was able to get a visa that allowed me to work freely for one year. This visa was a lifesaver for me. Because of this, I was treated as a European and not like an expat.
However, I should note I did have to submit a ton of documents and pay a fee, so it wasn’t all easy.
I know not everyone can study abroad to get a special visa, but the tip behind this is to look into the countries special visa laws and regulations! There can always be some loop you can sneak into or a unique circumstance that they don’t make widely known. Keep your eyes open and do a lot of research. I had no idea about this post-study visa, and started reading about all the other unique visa offerings and was shocked!
You should also be prepared to boast about all of your achievements and how highly skilled you are. If an employee is going to have to sponsor your visa, you need to prove you are worth it.
If you are looking for a job and are struggling, there are some things you can do in the meantime to make some money to survive. One of the best tips there is for travelers looking for a job and wanting to make money is to teach English (or any other language) online. There are a ton of different platforms that look for native English speakers who are willing to teach young children online, and the pay is quite good. All you need for this job is a laptop!
You can also start a blog and document your travels and struggles as an expat. Starting a blog is a fantastic thing that can result in a high payout in the long term. More so, while I was searching for a job, I discovered so many beautiful things in Amsterdam, such as the tulips, the hidden streets, and the cute cafes, that I would never have otherwise. And this supplied me with excellent content to write about. Sometimes you have to look at the positives.
If you keep at it, do your research, and provide valuable skills, you will find a job. It just takes time, effort, and a whole lot of persistence.
About Sam Sees World Travel Blog
Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel blog Sam Sees World. She is a millennial traveler on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to explore this wondrous world. Her objective is to provide valuable information on the best things to do, see, eat, and experience while traveling and getting some good Instagram photos along the way.
About Tuesday Travel Tip Series
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