Career searching can be intimidating – especially if it’s in a new city or country. Someone recently wrote to ask me:
I’m planning to move to Canada in [a] few months and settle in Canada. I just need to understand the work culture, things I should be aware of, applying for jobs etc.
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While I can’t speak to working in Canada, I can give some quick tips when it comes to job hunting in new locations having lived in New York City, Paris and Los Angeles. Before you start looking, first make sure you’re authorized to work in the country. Check information on the relevant government websites. Also, consider the language and how that may impact your ability to work in the new location.
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Here three things to keep in mind when it comes to finding a job in a new location:
- Network on LinkedIn – Find people who work in your industry and live in the area where you plan (or hope) to relocate. They may know of openings in your field. Or if there’s no opening, they’d be a great contact in case something opens in the future. You may want to suggest taking them out to coffee, or if they’re busy ask for a quick phone call.
- Look for job openings – If you know of places you’re interested in working then search their job postings online. Companies often keep lists of openings on their career sites. If there’s an opening then that’s another great reason to reach out to someone from that company on LinkedIn as well.
- Research the culture – You can do this a number of ways: the library (find books on the culture) or online (look at news or magazine articles from the region). Try reaching out to people you know who’ve been there or lived there before. If you don’t know anyone you can ask on social media with a Tweet or a Facebook post.
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Go into the move with an idea of where you want to work. Even if you don’t have a specific company in mind, a general idea will help. Networking is key. Happy (job) hunting!
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