According to the United Nations, 232 million people across the globe work in a different place than their home country. If that number sounds like a lot, it should be a strong indicator that working abroad has plenty of benefits.
If you’ve never considered it before, but you’re feeling stuck at your current job or craving something different, working in a different country might appeal to you.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing so much uncertainty this year, so many people have found themselves looking for different careers or trying to find some kind of positive change. Managing a business during COVID certainly isn’t easy, so now could be the perfect time to try something different in a completely new part of the world.
If it sounds overwhelming, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Let’s take a look at a few benefits of working abroad, so you can make a more informed decision if you’re ready for that kind of life change.
1. It Looks Great on a Resume
If you’re trying to advance in a certain career or within a specific industry, working in a different country can seriously boost your resume. It shows potential employers that you have life experience, you’re willing to try new things, and that you’re adaptable.
It also shows that you can work with different groups of people and you’re willing to be a lifelong learner. When you move to another country, you won’t know the culture, customs, or perhaps even the language right away. Showing that you can adapt to all of those situations is extremely attractive to employers.
2. It Improves Your Cultural Awareness
The reality is, most of us need more cultural awareness. It’s not always easy to think about what’s happening all over the world when you’re comfortable living in your own space.
Cultural awareness can help to shift your perspective from a personal standpoint. But, it can also help you in your professional life. Maybe moving to a different country will cause you to open up more, learn a new language, or even apply for dual citizenship. Doing so can make you more aware of the world around you and change your goals and ambitions within your career.
3. You Will Grow Your Network
Most business professionals know the importance of networking. But, think about how much more expansive your professional network can be when you’re working in a different country. By making business connections in different countries, you can work from almost anywhere and keep things moving forward.
If you own your own business, having a network in multiple countries can help you to grow and find success in more than one location. It never hurts to have allies, friends, and business colleagues across the globe, and for many people it can be a key to success and continued growth.
4. You’ll Gain Experience Faster
If you’re just starting out in the working world, one of the biggest challenges you can face is finding a job that gives you adequate experience right away. For example, if you stay in your own community, the job opportunities might be limited. Or, you may be able to find work, but not in the industry you’re interested in.
By working abroad, you can find a job that appeals to you in your industry of choice. Working there for even a few years will allow you to dive head-first into that industry, giving you incomparable experience that you may not have gotten if you chose to stay close to home. You can decide how to use that experience as you go forward, but it’s a great way to be directly involved in a “dream career” right away.
5. You May Be Able to Earn More
Depending on where you’re looking for a job, you might be able to earn a higher starting salary than where you’re currently living. Some countries lack skilled workers in certain industries, so they’re always looking for qualified individuals, no matter where they’re from.
As a result, companies who are looking for people with certain talents are willing to pay more. It’s a supply and demand situation that gives you more control and allows you to negotiate a higher salary.
Simply put, working abroad is something to be experienced. Whether you’re feeling stuck at your current job, you’re not sure what you want to do, or you just need a change of pace, there is nothing quite like working in a completely different country and gaining life experience that you would never be able to get if you stayed close to home.
Keep these benefits in mind if you’re considering working in a different country. You’ll gain perspective, experience, and memories to last a lifetime.
