Good education may not always be sufficient to get the desired job with the ever-increasing competition in the job market these days. In order to stand out, you need the right mix of education, experience, a brilliant narrative, and some other soft skills.
The recruitment industry has been cynical since covid-19 with most of the world entering recession and disrupted industries. But now that the war against covid is approaching towards the end, there is hope for a better future and more job opportunities. The world is finally opening its doors and the travel restrictions are being lifted. International organizations are quickly gearing back up, which makes this the perfect time and opportunity for those who wish to move abroad for work in 2022.
Here are some tips to help you stand out and to make yourself instantly more employable for overseas job opportunities in 2022:
- Know your destination
It is important to conduct thorough research on your desired work destination. A few things to consider before you finalize the destination are:
- Legal formalities such as work permit or visa requirements
- Expected salary, taxes, and cost of living
- Working conditions such as working hours, benefits
- Cultural difference
First and foremost, you need to educate yourself about the visa requirements and the work permit conditions before you make up your mind. It is essential to understand the rights and limitations attached to the kind of visa you will be issued. Working conditions vary from country to country and can sometimes be really mind-boggling, so it can be advised to consult immigration consultancies or lawyers if you want to. Make sure you have an approximate idea about the cost of living, taxes, and expected salary in that particular country in order to understand what kind of lifestyle you would be able to afford there. It may also be beneficial to know the working conditions and benefits at work such as health insurance as the working conditions may differ from that of your home country. Moving to different nations with varied cultures and traditions can also induce cultural shock so it may be beneficial to have a better understanding of the culture and traditions beforehand.
2. Hone your communication skills
Improving your language skills may prove to be favorable for you and it most definitely looks good on your resume. Enrolling in vocational courses would also be helpful if you are planning to go to countries with different native languages such as Germany, France, Spain, or China. It demonstrates your commitment to self-growth and improvement and also your curiosity to explore the world and your willingness to widen your horizons. Moreover, getting used to the language of the target country prior would make it easier for you to settle down.
3. Upskill online
The process of applying for a job overseas can sometimes be time-consuming, meaning it may take you a couple of months to finally get through with the visa formalities. In the meanwhile, you can think about enhancing or polishing your skills with short-term certification courses after researching the hot skills that the recruiters in your industry are hunting for. Upskilling has never been easier, thanks to a plethora of educational and training platforms available online that provide various short certification courses.
4. Be proactive
Being proactive is now needed more than ever. Since the covid restrictions have just been lifted, there are going to be more people applying for the same or similar roles. So you have to proactively improve the chances of your employment. Never hesitate to ask for help, keep yourself updated, study more about the organization or the destination and keep networking.
5. Project yourself well
Upgrade your portfolio with digital advancement, especially if you are seeking jobs in the creative industry such as photography, graphic design, interiors, or digital marketing. It is so much easier now to make a digital portfolio with the help of distinct digital platforms such as Wix, WordPress, GoDaddy, and many more. You can also use Canva to build yourself an online portfolio which you can share with the recruiters as a website. It is the best way to exhibit your creative production and ideas in front of the world and it is also easier to share such portfolios which can set you apart from the other candidates.
6. Build a good LinkedIn profile
Having an updated and active presence on LinkedIn can get you noticed by the recruiters. You can network with other industry professionals while discovering job opportunities to move ahead in your professional life. It is very vital to stay active on the platform to attract recruiters. Just having the presence would not be sufficient, you have to keep posting relevant content as much as you can. Post about new jobs, new projects, networking events, or conferences. Also, make sure that you have a professional-looking headshot for your display picture. Having a strong presence on social media platforms can help you set a tone and brand yourself.
7. Demonstrate soft skills
Skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, time management, and teamwork may seem less important but these skills are extremely valuable to employers which makes them a must-have for recent graduates. The best time to demonstrate that you possess these soft skills is during the time of the interview. Employers are always seeking creative solutions, good communication, hard work, and team collaboration. You need to make sure that you deliver all these skills and talents during the time of the interview by sharing relevant anecdotes that demonstrate that you are capable of applying these skills.
8. Customize your CV and cover letter for each application
It is crucial that you update your CV with any new skills, experiences, or achievements while you are applying for jobs. Make sure you read the job ad or the job description thoroughly for each job application so that you can answer all those specific questions and expectations in the cover letter. Try to demonstrate that you truly possess all those skills mentioned in the job description in your cover letter and CV. You should also check the company website and social media handles and gather relevant data that you can use in your cover letter to indicate your developed interest in the organization.
9. Become a better storyteller
Being able to express yourself, your experiences, skills, and talents in an engaging and emotional way can create an impression on the employer as emotional content has better engagement and retention power. Therefore, creating a narrative can sometimes help you sell your skills and accomplishments better.
10. Target small, medium-sized company
It is a common misconception that the chances of getting a sponsorship are higher with large multinational companies. This may not always be true. Bigger organizations get abundant applications from international job seekers which makes it difficult for the applicant to stand out. Small and medium scale companies on the other hand are always looking for unique talent. The chance to be heard and seen may be better with such organizations.
11. Consider alternative destinations
It is evident that big cities such as New York, London, or Dubai have a much more competitive job market than others which sometimes does not bode well for the job aspirants. These cities attract plenty of people who are seeking better living standards and social life. The competition is not just with the native people of the country, but also the other migrants who move to such cities chasing their dreams which may not allow you to really stand out. While it is always encouraged to strive for the best, it can sometimes be beneficial to have some alternatives set. There may be various other smaller cities in the same country with fast-growing job markets such as Seattle, Manchester, or Abu Dhabi that are actively seeking international talent in the same country with considerably less competition and more job opportunities.
12. Stay motivated
It is natural that your initial positivity, motivation, and patience may slowly fade away if your job hunt lasts longer than it was anticipated. But staying positive and motivated throughout the recruitment process is very crucial in order to truly succeed. Just keep reminding yourself why you are seeking a job overseas and give yourself occasional time off from your job hunt.
These tips will help you become more employable for global opportunities and will ensure that your dreams become reality in 2022.
SUO Jobs is a global employment exchange service that envisions to bridge the extending gap between the demand and supply of human resources in the global paradigm. It is a single digital platform for both Indian job aspirants and International recruiters. We match the aspirant’s skills and talents with the recruiter’s requirements and description with the help of our robust legal and technological framework. To know more about SUO Jobs, download our brochure and reach out to us to find out how can SUO Jobs help you find the best global job opportunities and shape a better future for yourself.