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Last Updated on June 14, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Global job mobility is on the rise: over 3% of the world’s population now lives and works abroad, offering expanded career and lifestyle opportunities worldwide.
- Working abroad builds
your resume : International experience demonstrates adaptability, cultural awareness, and global competence—all of which are valued by future employers. - Language and cultural
skills matter: Learning the local language and embracing cultural norms improve communication, integration, and professional success abroad. - Risks include loneliness and safety concerns. Culture shock, isolation, and unfamiliar environments can be challenging for newcomers, so thorough preparation and research are crucial before relocating.
- Financial planning is essential: Moving costs, income changes, and currency differences require careful budgeting before making an international career transition.
The United Nations reported that over 3% of the world’s population is now living and working abroad, and the numbers continue to grow. As finding a job in one’s own country becomes more difficult due to the lack of work and rising competition for each post, it’s little wonder that finding work overseas has become quite fashionable. Chances are, you already know somebody within your family or friendship group who has already left your fair isles, and jetted off to another country to begin a new life, on a short-term or lifelong basis.
Thinking about working abroad? Before you pack your bags, weigh the pros, understand the risks, and prepare for a life-changing opportunity. Discover what it really takes to succeed in another country and make the right move for your future. #workingabroadClick To TweetThe question you may be asking yourself, however, is this. Is working abroad right for you? On this site, we have shown you it is possible to move overseas, but you should take a step back before getting on the plane. To help you make an informed decision, we have listed some of the pros and cons that may be helpful. So before you pack your bags, read on to find out more.
Pros
Transferable Job Skills
While certain roles may be unique to specific countries, many professions offer global opportunities that make it easy to continue your career abroad. From healthcare to IT,
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New Experiences
The reason people visit other countries on holiday is to gain new experiences from the culture on offer. If this is something that appeals to you, working and living abroad may be a life-changing opportunity you don’t want to miss out on. You will gain knowledge from various working practices that you can apply in your own country. There will also be the opportunity to explore the place you are living in, participate in local customs, try new foods, and experience a different style of living.
Learning a new language
English isn’t the only language in the world, although it is spoken in many countries worldwide. However, you can’t guarantee that everybody will speak your lingo so you should make an effort to learn the languages predominant in the country you intend to work. This will make your life much easier upon arrival, as you will need to communicate with your colleagues and the local population. This will require effort on your part, but you will ultimately enhance your employability and gain new knowledge in the process.
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Foreign currencies
You may be able to earn more money in your job when working away from home. Suppose you are currently considering a potential destination for employment. In that case, we recommend using this currency converter to help you understand how the value of your money will change in another country. If you are driven by money, it makes sense to go where you are likely to earn more. Of course, the value will revert to your current currency if you return home, but you may be able to make a substantial difference to your bank balance in the meantime.
Meet new people
By moving abroad, you will automatically expand your social circle. You will understandably be overwhelmed at first by the sea of new faces that surround you. Still, provided you have taken the effort to learn the language, you will establish new personal and professional relationships. As in most social situations, it will take time to get yourself known, but you won’t always be a stranger in a strange land if you take the time to meet the people around you. You will gain some valuable life and work lessons as a result.
The Expert Expat is essential reading for anyone moving overseas. Personal stories - from the authors' dozens of years abroad as well as the experience of countless expats worldwide - help prepare people for the exhilarating and daunting task of establishing a life far from home.
Work-life balance
Are you dragged down by long hours, with little time to relax and enjoy life? Then, moving to another country may be just what you need. Some countries may offer a better work-life balance than your own, with shorter working weeks and a greater emphasis on personal and family time. Life is too short to always be at work, so escape the daily grind by taking time to enjoy life’s other pleasures by choosing the right place to live.
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Add to your resume
It doesn’t matter if you work abroad for a short or a long time; you will still add weight to your resume. Future employers will be impressed by your international travels and may be keen to learn from your experiences in another country and workplace. Should you return to your own country, you will surely stand out from the crowd of other job applicants when you can evidence a broader mind and understanding of the international job market.
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Learn new skills
Whatever job you are involved in, you will gain new skills in the way you work. Methods of working may also be different, and it may be that you learn better ways to be productive in your chosen field. Learning new skills is invaluable for all aspects of life, particularly in your career. By developing in your chosen field abroad, you will not only improve your employability, but you will also stand a greater chance of promotion if you return to a company you have already worked for, should you head back home.
Cons
Loneliness
Moving to a foreign land has many advantages, as we have seen, but for a while, you may feel out of place. Yes, you will make some new friendships, but you will still miss your friends back home. While you can keep in touch through phone calls and Skype, it just isn’t the same as popping over to their house for a chat or having a shoulder to cry on. Should you be moving alone, with no family to support you, it will be an even lonelier experience. Eventually, you will start to feel positive, but the first few months will be the hardest.
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Culture shock
learning a new culture is a great experience, but it will take time to become accustomed to your new surroundings. Every culture has its belief system, values, and attitudes. You will have to accept this, as people may not necessarily adapt to your Western lifestyle. By entering another country, you need to be prepared to change aspects of your life that have been comfortable for you in the past. You should also be aware of countries with strict laws, as what is considered acceptable behavior in your own country may be severely frowned upon elsewhere. The key here is to conduct thorough research. Entering a country blindly and with ignorance is not going to serve you well.
Communication barrier
It isn’t easy to learn a new language, so if you struggle to understand the local language, you will have significant difficulties with communication. Over time, with considerable effort on your part, this will become easier. However, if learning a new language is a struggle for you, it will make your day-to-day life in another country challenging, both at work and outside of it.
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Financial problems
To start, it’s advisable to have some savings set aside before moving abroad. Even if you already have a job lined up, you will still need to find somewhere to live. There is also no guarantee that the job will pay more than your current
Personal safety
Not all countries are safe to live in, on a small and global scale. For starters, unless your career dictates it, you probably shouldn’t move to a country that is stricken by war and violence. Then consider your position in a new land. You will be unfamiliar with the location at first, and you will stand out like a sore thumb to anybody interested in fleecing a newcomer. We recommend reading these safety tips before you head out on your journey, as it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Next Steps
- Research Your Target Country: Study visa requirements, job markets, language expectations, and cultural norms to prepare for a smoother transition abroad.
- Update and Localize
Your Resume : Tailoryour resume to the destination country’s format and expectations, and translate it if needed to meet local standards. - Secure Financial Stability: Create a
budget , save for relocation costs, and understand exchange rates to ensure financial readiness during your move. - Build Language
Skills : Begin learning the local language now to enhance your communication, job prospects, and integration upon arrival. - Consult with Current Expats: Connect with people who have worked in your target country to gain insights and firsthand advice on navigating the experience.
Decision time
We hope that we have provided you with enough information to help you make an informed decision. Moving and working abroad is not something to be taken lightly; you should think carefully before uprooting your life entirely and heading to a new country, climate, and culture. Remember, too, that there are people who genuinely care about you.
They also need to be prepared for your possible move, and you should consider whether you are willing to leave them behind. However, those who care for you should also support your decision, and working abroad, even for a short term, may be a fantastic opportunity for you. Ultimately, this is your life, and we wish you every success in whatever you decide to do.
The Expert Expat is essential reading for anyone moving overseas. Personal stories - from the authors' dozens of years abroad as well as the experience of countless expats worldwide - help prepare people for the exhilarating and daunting task of establishing a life far from home.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
