Get the best tips for your career, job search and your life. Subscribe today (we send one email every 2 weeks)

How to find a job as a foreigner

Job search Oct 4, 2022

It is possible to find a job as a foreigner in any country. It may be more difficult than for the locals, but it's not impossible.

The first thing you need to do, is get started by putting yourself on the map and building your network.

That means talking to friends, family and acquaintances about possible opportunities, but also doing some research into what kind of skills are needed in your industry.

Once you've done this groundwork, then make sure you have the work rights required by law before applying for jobs or starting internships. Doing so, could lead to problems down the track if any breaches were later discovered!

Finally, use whatever transferable skills you brought from home, such as communication and teamwork, when applying for positions.

These are essential requirements for success in any kind of work environment, so no matter where in the world they're based!

» FREE TRIAL: Get Started with LoopCV & Send Out 100s of Highly-Targeted Job Applications in <10 Minutes

It is possible to find a job as a foreigner in any country.

The first step in finding a job as a foreigner is knowing what you want to do. Once you've decided on your field, it's time to begin looking for positions. If you have experience in the country of your target employer, this makes things much easier!

If you don't have any relevant experience, consider getting some work experience under your belt before applying for jobs.

You might be able to land an internship or volunteer position at one of their offices before applying for other roles or even starting on-site training programs once they've accepted your application.

Apply early and often! Don't wait until just two weeks before graduation. Start now!

Make sure that your resume is clean and free from typos (and make sure it's not too long), learn how to write cover letters, and most importantly, know how many hours per week/month/quarter each job requires as well as where it will take place. If you don't know these details, then ask them!

Networking is important.

Networking is a crucial part of any job search, and it's important to be proactive in your networking. You can't network if you don't meet new people.

When talking to anyone that might know other professionals in your field (colleagues, friends and family), it is essential that you are sharing your own story and asking questions.

In other words, don't just walk up to someone with the expectation that they're going to share their connections with you. You will be wasting their time as well as yours!

Don't underestimate your experience from your home country.

Knowing what kind of skills jobs here are looking for is important, as it can help you narrow down your search when searching for jobs.

There are many websites that let you search through job ads and see what skills they're looking for and which ones you have.

These include:

Click on "Jobs" in the search bar at the right top. Here, you can browse through postings by location and category, as well as add keywords to search by (e.g., copywriter if you're a writer). This method allows users to see postings by company name, industry, city and job title/description.

Another website that lists job openings based on company name, industry sector or specific location (e.g., New York City). Users can also filter their results by salary range or find thematically similar jobs via tags such as "Administrative Assistant", "Customer Service" or "Administrative Support."

This is the service that automates your job search, and the one I am recommending. Why? Because, it is the ultimate way to find a job, so much faster and so much easier!

If you are lost with the automation, check out our article here!

You don't need to worry about anything that you have to do. Let the Loopcv job bot to do it!

Make sure you have the work rights you need.

It's important to note that you must have the necessary work rights in order to get a job, so make sure you are aware of your visa status.

Depending on where you come from, there are a few different types of visas available for foreign workers. You'll need to do some research and find out which one is most suitable for your situation.

It is also advisable to work with US work visa lawyers to guide you on the types of jobs best suit your immigration status.

If you can't find a job that offers you work rights, or if your current employer doesn't want to sponsor an application for another visa type (for example some companies will only offer sponsorship for certain types).

Τhen it may be necessary for you to leave the country and apply for another visa type overseas before returning again with new work rights.

Use your transferable skills.

When you are looking for jobs, it is important to remember that your transferable skills will be a key factor in landing the right one.

Here are some examples of transferable skills:

  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Leadership and organizational abilities  

You can show these by creating a presentation or writing an article that shows how well you can lead and organize things.  

For example, if you were applying for a job with an organization's marketing department, then this would be helpful.  

Also, be sure to include any volunteer work on your resume! If nothing else, it will demonstrate that you have experience working with people.

You can absolutely find a job!

So, you’ve decided that you want to work in another country. Great! No matter where you live and what your current situation may be, there are plenty of jobs out there for talented people like yourself.

You can absolutely find a job. Just make sure to do your groundwork first!

It may seem like an obvious step, but make sure that you have the right skills and experience necessary for the job that you want. It’s best not to jump at any employer who shows interest in hiring you because they could potentially be taking advantage of your desperation.

Once again, this is why it's important to research which countries offer visas based on their needs before making any decisions regarding where exactly would be best suited for someone like yourself. And, if possible, whether there's anything similar about those places.

» FREE TRIAL: Get Started with LoopCV & Send Out 100s of Highly-Targeted Job Applications in <10 Minutes

Conclusion

Now that you’re ready to start looking for a job for example in Japan, we want to help you make the most of your search.

This can be a daunting process, but don’t worry: There are plenty of resources available online and offline that will guide you through every step.

And remember: Don't be afraid! There are many people already living there who can help support your transition into this new country and culture!


You can also read our article:

How to find a job when you’re not good at anything
In this article, I’m sharing 5 reasons you’re not fitting into this system structure, and what alternatives you can choose from, to find a job!

Tags

Zoi Kotsou

Copywriter - Content writer - Content Creator - Columnist

Great! You've successfully subscribed.
Great! Next, complete checkout for full access.
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Success! Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content.