The idea of working in a new country you have moved to can be an exciting prospect, but it may also bring with it feelings of nervousness and doubt. After all, while on-the-job training or prior qualifications will no doubt help you become competent in the role, there may be new norms for you to understand and try out, those that may take some time to acclimate to, as well as the normal anxieties of starting any new position.
Working in a new country for the first time can help determine where the rest of your life will go, your opportunities and fresh reputation in such an environment. For this reason, it’s best to get started on the right footing. Moreover, it’s important to learn from mistakes and while hoping to prevent them, to never think that they are always avoidable at all times. Any other mindset may lead you to become inflexible, which is exactly the opposite of how you want to behave at this time. Luckily, working in a new country for the first time doesn’t have to feel like an insurmountable task. Let’s consider some simple advice to help you get started:
Consider The Customary Working Norms
The customary working norms of a given country can depend on a great many factors. Note that customary working norms are not necessarily the same as enforced processes due to employment laws. For instance, you may or may not be entitled to a certain amount of breaks per hour worked in a given country, or they may vary wildly from place to place.
The siesta is also known as a common cultural practice in Spain, and some other countries emulate it. A majority of the population in some countries will absolutely not accept working on a Sunday, or another day of worship. Understanding this means doing your own research, asking your employer, and being aware of advice given by the locals. This can help you plan your working week more competently.
Establish Your Appropriate Contract
It’s important to establish the appropriate contract of work with your employer. Often, this is aided by making sure you have full residential and working rights, the former can be aided and referenced via the best immigration lawyer.
This way, you can actively showcase that you have work lined up, the degree to which this work is scheduled, and what references you have to show for it. This way, you can make certain that working in a new country is fully verified and validated before you make that move.
Know Your Working Rights
Just as working norms can differ from the place, so can working rights. Of course, most countries will have basic workers’ rights in that you are legally insured and protected against intensive injury and the like. That said, it’s essential that you know the ins and outs of this, including what tribunal you may need to report to, the body enforcing working standards, how to report harassment, and more.
It’s also worth poring over your contract in order to see how it compares with the actual legal code. It’s not uncommon for certain employers to try and take advantage of international workers, as they may not be aware of the rights afforded to them, or maybe afraid of losing their job should they enforce them as appropriate. Knowing your working rights is a key component in remaining a confident, inspired, informed member of the international workforce, no matter what industry you have been recruited within.
Develop Your Reputation Appropriately
Working abroad is a great opportunity to develop your reputation anew. It gives you the chance to live up to your professional values, to network on an even grander scale than before. If you can make use of these opportunities, perhaps by accepting further placements, collaborating with international teams, and adding global experience to your resume, it could potentially mean an even better future.
It’s good, then, to see working abroad as a great next step in your career, no matter how humble that might be. Developing your reputation in that way is certain to offer a memorable experience. As you’ll be in a new location, these lessons are so much more immediate and intensive than they could have been otherwise. If you keep that in mind, then you’ll be able to get out there and prevent minor mistakes or insecurity get in your way.
With this advice, we hope you can succeed in a new global work placement, using the confidence and prowess you’re known for to get ahead.