In today’s global workplace, moving abroad is becoming more and more appealing. However, every opportunity comes with its own benefits and challenges. So, before you make a decision to relocate internationally for a job, ask yourself these questions.  To read more blogs like this, visit our careers advice blog, Viewpoint: www.haysplc.com/viewpoint

1. In today’s global workplace, moving
abroad is becoming more and more
appealing. However, every
opportunity comes with its own
benefits and challenges.
So, before you make a decision to
relocate internationally for a job,
ask yourself these questions.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK
YOURSELF BEFORE
RELOCATING
INTERNATIONALLY FOR A
JOB
haysplc.com/viewpoint

2. If you haven’t yet been offered a
role by your current or potential
employer, but are curious to find an
overseas opportunity yourself, find
out where your skills are most in
demand first.
Do your research, make a shortlist
and go from there. You are far more
likely to command a generous
package if you move to a place
where your skills are in short
supply.
1. Where are your skills
most in demand?

3. What are you hoping to gain from
this opportunity? Is it career
enhancement, a lifestyle change or
the appeal of gaining global
experience?
Once you know your objectives, you
can weigh up whether this
relocation and role will meet them.
2. Why do you want to
relocate?

4. If you have been offered a role, find
out how long this assignment will
take. Is the timeframe too short for
achieving your goals? Is it too long?
What other commitments do you
have during this period?
If you haven’t been offered
something specific, then asking
some of these questions can help
shape your search.
3. How long do you plan
on going for?

5. Relocation as part of a career move
is often not just a personal decision,
but a decision that affects partners,
children, parents and friends.
If you have children, what is the
local education system like? What
are the work opportunities for your
partner? How frequently do you
need to return home? Can you work
overseas for the week and go back
at the weekend?
4. Who are you bringing
with you?

6. It is essential to do your research
ahead of your move. What is
happening in the local economy and
market? Which places would suit
your lifestyle? How long is your
commute?
Get access to ex-pat guides on the
destination, join forums, and speak
to local contacts on the ground to
get practical tips and advice on
living and working in the new
location.
5. Have you done your
homework?

7. Will you need to learn a new
language for your new role? Are
there local customs that you need
to learn about? These factors are
certainly not something to be
overlooked; many organisations will
even provide cultural training
sessions.
This can make a huge difference to
how quickly you adjust and how
successful the move is.
6. What are the cultural
differences that you need
to be aware of?

8. Is there a relocation package?
What is and isn’t included? What is
the cost of living in the new
location? Break down everything
you need to factor in with regards to
the move, from shipping through to
accommodation.
You should then find out what
support you will receive from your
new employer to help you settle in.
7. What support will
your new employer offer
you?

9. This is key. Can you spend a couple
of weeks in the new location to help
get a feel for the place? If so, take a
trip there and use this time to ask
yourself the above questions.
You will have other questions that
are personal to you, but these are a
great start to shaping your decision
making. Remember; don’t make
your choice in isolation of friends,
family, information and solid facts to
back up your plans.
8. What’s your gut telling
you?

10. Good luck!
International mobility often provides
fantastic opportunity to broaden your
experience both professionally and
personally. Often, the benefits will
far outweigh the disadvantages to
making such a change, and when
they do, you may never look back.
If you found this advice useful, you
may also enjoy these Viewpoint
blogs:
• Preparing a CV for international
applications
• Are you a ‘global citizen’?
• 4 ways to grow yourself global

11. ABOUT HAYS
Hays is a leading global
professional recruiting group, the
expert at recruiting qualified,
professional and skilled people
worldwide.
With over 9,420 staff operating from
248 offices in 33 countries across
20 specialism's, last year we placed
around 63,000 candidates into
permanent jobs, and around
200,000 people into temporary
assignments.
haysplc.com