Landing your dream job abroad: where and how to find yours

Do you aspire to a long and successful career, gaining recognition and climbing the ladder, or do you crave freedom, autonomy and the thrill of the unknown?

Does the comfort and support of staying close to home give you the energy to achieve great things in your job, or are you motivated by the prospect of exploring a new country, and seeing where it takes your career?

If you’ve ever wondered what is your dream job, and where’s the best place to do it, this is the article for you.

We’ll discuss some of the most desirable jobs in different parts of the world, and give you valuable tips for how to boost your chances of achieving that dream job abroad.

What are the most popular dream jobs around the world?

So, what are the most coveted jobs in different parts of the world?

A Jobseeker’s study found 35 of the most popular ‘dream jobs’ in different countries, and then analyzed which of these was the most popular in individual countries by reviewing search volume data.

The 10 most desirable dream jobs worldwide they found are:

1. Pilot
2. Flight attendant
3. Model
4. Psychologist
5. Influencer
6. Doctor
7. Teacher
8. Lawyer
9. Firefighter
10. Entrepreneur

When it comes to a region-by-region comparison, some interesting trends emerge:

• In Europe, ‘model’ was the most widely searched profession in 25 countries, while ‘pilot’ came top in nine nations.

• North American job seekers here also craved travel, but it was ‘flight attendant’ that was the most popular role for the USA, Canada and Mexico.

• South Americans had more varied dreams between countries, with Brazilians coveting flight attendant roles the most, while Argentina’s top dream job was chef. With the beautiful game so all-encompassing in the continent, perhaps it’s a surprise that only Paraguay ranked ‘football/soccer coach’ as the top dream job.

• Oceania’s top searches included ‘psychologist’ in Australia and ‘pilot’ in New Zealand.

• African countries picked varied dream jobs, from influencer, blogger, DJ and model to doctor, pilot and judge.

• While several Asian countries craved modeling jobs the most, others opted for ‘pilot’. ‘Writer’ and ‘journalist’ were the top dream jobs in Afghanistan and China respectively.

What makes a dream job?

Your dream job, and its setting, will depend on lots of things. Your aspirations, motivation and priorities. Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert. Your attitude towards status, career progression and promotion.

Financial motivations. Whether you prefer home comforts or exploring the unknown. All these things play a role in determining the very individual dream job and location for you. However, when looking at the results of the research, some interesting themes emerge:

• The dream jobs around the world are split between traditional, formal professions and newer, on-trend careers.
• Along similar lines, there is a split between roles people might consider ‘altruistic’, and jobs that are more focused on the individual.
• While some positions demand dedication and commitment to climbing the career ladder, others provide a far less obvious path to progression.
• Structure, discipline and formal qualifications dominate certain professions, while others rely more on informal networks, influence and collaboration.

So, it’s up to you to decide whether to pursue a more structured, traditional career with the rewards of career progression, professional status and, in some cases, job security that goes with it. If so, roles like pilot, judge, psychologist, teacher, doctor and lawyer are likely to be more up your street.

Alternatively, are you more enamored with the idea of going it alone, taking risk but potentially enjoying the freedom and independence that comes from a non-traditional career path? In this case, you’re probably going to be drawn more to the influencer, entrepreneur, blogger and model types of job.

How can I find my dream job location?

Your dream job location will depend on your personal priorities and preferences, but there are various things you might want to consider when deciding whether to pursue a career abroad. Take a look at this checklist for some of the key considerations:

• Education and training opportunities: You might be motivated to choose a country that can offer you the best training in your target sector. Similarly, consider what qualifications you’ll need to work in your desired country, and whether any specialist certifications or licenses are required.

• Skills gaps/job market: The state of the local job market, and any gaps in skills that might make certain roles more accessible, are both key considerations. Find out where your skills are most in-demand, and the task of finding your dream job abroad will become a lot easier.

• Salary expectations: Work out what you hope and expect to earn, and then review salaries in your target country to see if your desired dream job is viable there.

• Visa and immigration regulations: Review visa requirements for the country you’re considering. Some countries will have stricter entry requirements than others, and some employers may prefer you to have permission to work in their country before applying.

• Working culture: Attitudes to work vary significantly from country-to-country, so think about your priorities before you settle on your ideal country to work in. Are you up for long hours, or do you prefer a more flexible, relaxed approach to work? This can play a big role in deciding the best country for your work abroad adventure.

• Climate/lifestyle: Allied to working culture, lifestyle factors outside work should also play a role in your decision. This might include considerations around climate, distance from your home country, popular activities, cultural attractions, culinary culture and numerous other factors, depending on what’s most important to you.

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How to prepare for successful applications abroad

Once you’ve decided on your ideal job and country of work, you’ll want to work out how to prepare an application that gives you the best chance of success.

You’re likely to be up against local candidates with your job applications, so it’s critical to match the local expectations while also giving the recruiter a reason to favor you over established candidates. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Grow your professional network: Before you start applying for roles, use LinkedIn or other platforms to help you work out the local picture for your sector, and make some connections in your chosen industry.

• Research local CV customs: Knowing how to format your CV will help you show an understanding of the working culture and customs in your target country. Make sure your CV is the right length, use suitable section headings and understand whether employees prefer a more formal, detailed approach or a brief summary document.

• Show your readiness to work in the country: Listing your visa status on your CV may help you when applying for opportunities abroad. If you’ve secured a working visa before applying for roles, it should bode well for your chances. Similarly, if you can list an address or location in the target country, this can help you compete with local candidates.

• Convert your qualifications to local equivalents: Research the local equivalents of your qualifications, and (assuming they’re compatible with each other), list them in your CV to help the employer understand you have the necessary credentials for the role.

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