10 Ways to Rebuild Your Career After Moving Abroad
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Did you know that the number one reason Australians move abroad is for better job opportunities? According to a survey by Advance Global Australians, 38% of Aussies living overseas made the move for this very reason. A further 18% were relocated by their employer, meaning that over half of Australians who move abroad do so for career-related reasons.
However, not every move guarantees better job prospects. In fact, for many Australian women, the opposite can be true.
If you’ve moved to a non-English speaking country where you don’t speak the language, for example, or if you’re relocating because of your partner’s job, it isn’t always as simple as packing up your job and taking it with you. Barriers such as language differences, the need for local qualifications, or a lack of demand in your field can make finding work all that more difficult.
This can be especially frustrating if you’ve spent years building a successful career back home. And it was certainly my experience coming to Barcelona — after nearly a decade working in marketing in Melbourne and London, it took me two years to find a job in my field (and even involved a slight career detour on the way — more on that in a minute).
If you’re determined to make it work despite these hurdles, the good news is that there are options — they just might require you to explore new paths you hadn’t previously considered.
In this article, I’ll share some ways that you can rebuild your career after moving abroad — and thrive professionally in a new environment.
Why continuing your career abroad can be difficult
For many women, building a professional life in a new country sometimes involves overcoming a number of barriers. Below are some of the most common ones we typically come up against:
Language barriers: Moving to a country where the primary language is different from your own can be one of the biggest obstacles. Technical jargon and industry-specific terminology can further complicate things. Communication is key in most careers, and if you’re not yet fluent, it can be easy to feel out of place or unqualified.
Local qualifications: Certain professions, such as teaching, healthcare, or law, often require local certification or qualifications. Even if you’re highly experienced, you might find that your qualifications don’t carry over, and may even require you to retrain in a completely new way. Having to start over again can be both time-consuming and expensive.
A lack of demand for your field: Depending on the country you’ve moved to, there may simply be less demand for professionals in your area of expertise. This can be particularly challenging for women in niche industries or creative roles that are already highly competitive, making it tough to find opportunities that align with your skills.
Cultural differences in the workplace: Every workplace has its own culture, and that can vary dramatically from country to country. Whether it’s different expectations about working hours, communication styles, or levels of formality, adjusting to a new professional culture can be tough. You might also find it harder to assert yourself in an unfamiliar environment, where norms about gender roles or leadership might differ.
Family considerations: Women who move abroad with partners or children often face an additional layer of complexity. If your partner is the primary earner, it’s easy to feel pressured to focus on family life, sometimes at the expense of your career. It can also be challenging to find a job that offers the flexible working conditions you might need.
Coming up against even just one of these obstacles can be demoralising — but if you face multiple, you might feel ready to throw in the towel and abandon your career aspirations altogether.
It’s important not to give up, though. They might not be straightforward, but there are still paths you can take to continue your career — even if some of them require a little bit of a pivot. Let’s take a look at some of those options now.
How to overcome career challenges abroad
1. Learn the local language (at your own pace)
If you’ve moved to a country where the primary language isn’t English, language barriers might be the biggest hurdle not just in your day-to-day life, but also when it comes to finding a job. And while it’s not impossible to find English-speaking jobs, they often still require a working knowledge of the local language.
Language barriers can feel like a huge obstacle, but it’s important not to be too hard on yourself. Learning a new language takes time, and it’s okay if you’re not fluent right away. Focus on the basics first, and then move into industry-specific vocabulary. Taking language classes (online or in-person) can be a great way to meet new people too, which helps build a network.
You could also practice specific work-related phrases or situations, like mock interviews, presentations, or writing emails. This can help you feel more confident when applying for jobs or stepping into the workplace.
2. Look for remote or international companies
If local job opportunities feel out of reach, don’t limit yourself to the local market. Consider looking for roles with remote or international companies. Working remotely for an Australian or global company can offer you the chance to continue your career on familiar terms. It can be particularly appealing if you’re looking to avoid a complete career pivot, or if your field isn’t in high demand where you’re living.
Platforms like Remote.co and FlexJobs specialise in listing jobs that are 100% remote. They often feature roles from global companies that don’t require you to be based in a specific country, making them ideal if you’re living abroad. You could also search for remote roles with companies back home, reaching out to your old network or setting up alerts on sites like SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn.
Many large tech companies like GitLab, Automattic, and Zapier operate entirely remotely and often offer flexible working conditions to accommodate remote teams across time zones.
3. Find opportunities to freelance or consult
If finding a full-time job is challenging, don’t overlook the potential of freelancing or consulting — especially if it’s something you can do remotely. There are many roles that lend themselves well to remote freelance work, such as writing, design, coding, coaching, and customer support. Even if your skills and experience don’t align with the local job market, they can still be incredibly valuable to clients around the world.
Freelancing offers the flexibility to stay connected to your field while working with a global clientele. You could even consider freelancing for your previous employer back home or leveraging your existing network to find new opportunities. If that’s not an option, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Growth Mentor, Toptal, or 99designs (depending on your expertise) can be a good place to start. Keep in mind, though, that many of these platforms are often just stepping stones — the pay can be notoriously low, and long-term projects should be your ultimate goal.
When I first arrived in Barcelona and was job hunting (and also taking Spanish classes on the side), I used my spare time to pick up writing gigs on Upwork. I rarely earned more than $50 per article, but it allowed me to build a portfolio that eventually led to my current marketing role.
While taking up small gigs might not be your ideal long-term solution, it can be a great way to build your profile, connect with new clients, and refine your skills. These small steps can open the door to better opportunities down the road.
4. Leverage your transferable skills
When moving abroad, it’s easy to dwell on the barriers — whether it's language limitations, local qualifications, or a lack of familiarity with the new job market. However, it’s equally important to focus on what you do bring to the table: your transferable skills.
These are the abilities and experiences you've gained throughout your career that can be applied across different industries and roles. Skills like leadership, communication, project management, or problem-solving don’t just disappear because you’ve changed countries. In fact, they can be your greatest assets in adapting to a new environment.
For example, if you’ve managed teams or led projects in the past, those leadership abilities can be useful whether you’re working in a corporate office, starting your own business, or freelancing. Strong communication skills are invaluable, regardless of the industry, and being able to navigate different cultural and interpersonal dynamics can also give you a huge advantage.
Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and apply for jobs that might not perfectly align with your previous experience. You may find that industries you hadn’t considered before value your skills, even if the role is new to you.
5. Network in person and online
Building a network can make all the difference when it comes to helping you find the right opportunity. Networking helps you connect with like-minded professionals, learn about job openings that aren’t advertised, and tap into local knowledge and support.
One of the first steps you can take is to join local expat groups. These groups often have meet-ups, events, and online forums where you can meet others who have faced similar challenges. They’re a great way to build friendships and share valuable information about the local job market. Search for expat communities through platforms like Facebook, Meetup, or Internations.
For professional connections, look into local industry-specific associations or chambers of commerce. Many cities have groups catering to specific industries, such as marketing, finance, tech, or teaching. These associations often hold networking events, conferences, workshops, or even casual coffee meetings where you can meet people in your field, and stay in the loop about local job opportunities.
Online platforms like LinkedIn also provide opportunities to connect with professionals locally. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current location and career goals. Then, join LinkedIn groups related to your industry, both for your new country and globally.
A lot of industry newsletters also publish job listings for remote roles, given that their readers tend to be spread around different locations. Look for experts, thought leaders, or organisations in your industry that send regular newsletters, and make sure you’re signed up for them.
6. Consider local requalification or further education
If your job requires specific local qualifications, take some time to research exactly what you need to do to get accredited. For example, check if you can transfer any of your existing qualifications, or if there are bridging courses that can speed up the process.
Some countries have fast-track options for professionals with prior experience, so it's worth asking about those too. It might feel like a bit of a hassle at first, but it could be the key to getting your career back on track.
If retraining isn’t something you can jump into right now, don’t worry - you can still keep your skills sharp. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer a huge range of short courses that can help you brush up on what you already know, or even learn something new. They can usually fit around your schedule, and many are affordable or even free.
You don’t need to dive into a full certification program to make progress. Look for short courses that are directly related to your field, like "SEO for Beginners" if you’re in marketing. Make sure to list the courses you’ve completed on your LinkedIn profile and CV, to show potential employers that you’re staying proactive and committed to growing your skills.
It’s also worth investing the time to make sure you’re on top of the latest trends. For example, if you’re in tech, a course on the latest programming languages or UX design trends can help you stay relevant.
In addition to paid platforms, you can explore free options like YouTube tutorials, podcasts, or even blog posts from industry experts. Google offers free certification programs (like their Google Analytics certification) which can be really valuable for certain professions.
7. Pivot to a new career or industry
Sometimes, moving abroad presents the perfect opportunity to explore a new direction. If your industry isn’t big in your new country, consider pivoting to one that is. Research growing industries in your region and see if any of your skills align with these fields.
If you’ve always had a side passion — whether it’s writing, graphic design, cooking, teaching yoga, or something else — now could be the time to turn it into a side hustle. The pandemic showed us it’s entirely possible to convert your passions into income online, whether that’s through teaching, coaching, or selling your products. So, exploring ways to do that (such as through digital selling platforms like Podia, Gumroad, Domestika or Etsy) can be a good place to start.
Another common path that expats take is teaching English. Many countries have a high demand for English teachers, whether in formal schools or as private tutors. You can explore getting a CELTA or TEFL certification, which can often be completed online, and can open doors to teaching roles locally or even remotely.
This is what I did shortly after landing in Barcelona. After struggling to find a marketing role, I took an intensive CELTA course at the local International House and got my certification within a few weeks. Soon after that, I started work at a local academy giving in-business classes, and also picked up a few private tutoring jobs. This helped me develop some valuable communication and teaching skills, which came in handy for the marketing role I did eventually land (and still have, seven years later!).
8. Look into return-to-work initiatives
If you’ve taken time off from your career, especially for caregiving or motherhood, re-entering the workforce can feel daunting. The good news is that many companies now recognise the value of hiring women who have had career breaks, and offer specific initiatives to help them transition back to work. These programs, often called returnships, are designed to provide training, mentorship, and support as you regain your confidence and refresh your skills.
The main idea behind return-to-work initiatives is to help professionals — often women — bridge the gap between their time off and re-entering the job market. They typically offer short-term contracts, internships, or structured learning opportunities with the potential to transition into permanent roles.
Examples include Salesforce's Bring Women Back to Work initiative, IBM’s Tech Re-Entry program, Cognizant’s Returnship program, and the JP Morgan ReEntry program.
These programs are designed to ease the transition back to work by providing structured support, so researching and applying for these initiatives can be a smart move if you’re ready to restart your career.
9. Find childcare options to support your career
If you have children, one of your main concerns might be how to balance childcare with your job. And while we know the responsibility of childcare shouldn’t fall solely on the mother, it’s often the case that it does. That’s why finding the right childcare can make all the difference when it comes to continuing your career in a new country.
Start by researching local childcare options. In a lot of countries, childcare is much more affordable compared to Australia, and is sometimes even subsidised by the government. Some places offer free daycare or heavily discounted rates for working parents, which can ease the financial pressure. And some even offer bilingual daycare, which can be a great way to help your child adjust to a new language and culture.
Depending on where you live, hiring a nanny or au pair may also be more common and affordable than you might expect. Au pairs, in particular, can be an option if you're looking for live-in help. They usually provide flexible support with childcare while living with your family, which can be ideal if you're juggling unpredictable work hours.
In some countries, flexible working arrangements like part-time hours or remote working may also be common. In Spain for example, parents are allowed to ask for reduced working hours if their child is under 12. If possible, talk to your employer about your options. Many companies are open to making adjustments for working parents, especially if it helps retain skilled workers.
10. Seek mentorship
Finally, having someone in your corner who understands the challenges of living and working abroad can be incredibly valuable. Many mentors have experienced their own hurdles in their careers, and often feel a desire to give back by helping others navigate similar paths.
Seek out mentors through professional networks or expat communities — someone who’s familiar with the local culture and the difficulties you might be going through. Their advice and encouragement can make a big difference, especially when you’re going through a tough time.
A good mentor can also introduce you to their professional network, opening doors to job opportunities and connections you might not have access to otherwise.
Final thoughts
One of the most important things to acknowledge when moving abroad is that your career path may not look exactly like you envisioned. It’s easy to feel discouraged when you realise you might have to take a step back, change industries, or accept a role that’s less aligned with your previous experience. But resetting your expectations can be helpful in finding both personal and professional fulfillment in your new home.
In many cases, this might mean compromising on your career objectives, at least in the short term. It could be working in a different field, accepting a role that doesn’t quite match your previous responsibilities, or focusing more on family or personal projects.
While this can feel like a setback, these compromises often come with their own rewards. The experience of immersing yourself in a different country can broaden your perspective, teach resilience, and bring a sense of adventure that few other experiences offer.
However, if you’re not prepared to reset expectations, the experience may feel frustrating, especially if your identity is closely tied to your professional achievements. It’s perfectly fine to feel this way — it just means that navigating these transitions will require extra care and patience with yourself.
Ultimately, it’s about finding the balance that feels right for you. If you’re happy to embrace a slower career pace for the sake of the adventure, that’s great! But if you prefer to keep pushing forward professionally, there are definitely options — you just have to know where to look. Either choice is valid, but understanding where your priorities lie can help you set realistic goals and avoid unnecessary stress.
Have you found it challenging to continue your career abroad? Let us know in the comments below.
