How Can Mums Establish Themselves Abroad
Image by Vânia Raposo from Pixabay.
It’s challenging when you’re a mum. Now, if you’re an expat as well, this is only multiplied. All expats experience lots of ups and downs. Although, when you’re an expat mum, this also makes you more resilient.
Everyone takes mums for granted. Yet, this is a tough and unpaid job. When you become a mum, this sort of turns out to be one of those events that split your life into before and after. This will deeply impact you and your personality.
Now add to this the expat life. Rare are the women who brave on this adventure while also being mums. It’s obvious that such a mix can make your whole experience into a bumpy ride, particularly until you get used to it. Fortunately, you can. Even more. Start your job. Actually, succeed in career and parenthood at the same time.
In this post, we will help you with just that. We’ll discuss what you need to run your business as an expat mum, how to do it, and which steps you should take.
How to Start Your Job Search as a Mum Abroad
It’s often the problems with low confidence that sabotage even the most determined mums trying to reset a stalling career. This isn’t a surprise if we consider that stay-at-home mums usually spend multiple years focused on developing more gentle nurture skills which aren’t valued as much in the office. Moreover, during this time, things change:
- New technologies
- New culture and values appear in companies
- Changed client relationships
This makes lots of expat mothers doubt whether they can still do what is required in the overly competitive, fast-paced corporate climate. However, you can still work abroad. Even start your own business. But keep in mind that establishing your own company in a new country can be challenging if done without help. So it may be better to consider getting a consultation from firms like Creation Business Consultants.
Regarding finding the first possible job, you shouldn’t grab it. Here’s why.
It’s much better if you develop a strategy to restart your career overseas. When you take an adequate amount of time to consider your passions and values you’ll have more luck in finding a job that reflects those things. Moreover, it’s not easy to find a position in the first place if you don’t find the time to do so. This is why lots of families abroad consider live-in childcare in order to get more time and restart their career.
Paperwork
In addition, keep in mind that different policies apply in different countries. However, you only need one or two calls to your home embassy in order to clear any questions regarding spousal employment boundaries.
If you’re an expat mum who isn’t allowed to work, you shouldn’t lose all hope. You can still use this time before the next multinational assignment in order to lay the foundation for the job of your dreams. Moreover, you can also consider working remotely for a company that isn’t based in the country with restrictions.
Think About Your Mental Health
Besides looking for a job, you’ll need to think positively and create a personal action plan. At one point, you’ll have to place your own mental needs in the first position. Also, you create your own resettlement plan and make sure you get the most out of the situation. Heck, you can even rebrand your whole story if you want to. This is a thing that you should address if you want to live a meaningful and fulfilled life in your new expat role.
No one can speak outside their own experience. And a lot of fellow expat mums will tell you this type of life isn’t easy. When you resettle in a new country and experience a completely different culture, you may feel overwhelmed. Discover you have lots of challenges to resolve. You’ll want to pack up your bags and go back home. Especially in the first couple of months.
However, if you maintain a positive outlook and resilient attitude, you’ll be able to persevere through such a harrowing experience and come out on top stronger than ever before. Remain brave, positive, and embrace your new role.
How To Recreate Yourself
Lots of expat mums who were on a lengthy hiatus are often thinking about that glaring hole in their resumes. However, this usually isn’t such a negative thing. Your CV is essentially a sales document, so you only need to ensure that you’re highlighting what is relevant and avoiding what isn’t. You can even place your volunteer work in your CV. Your future employer won’t care whether you’ve paid for a job, but how good you did the work and accomplished company goals.
Moreover, working on your online personal branding is the new resume. Just ask anyone on LinkedIn. Yes, LinkedIn is the social media you should use the most and develop your personal brand there. You only need to post a couple of business-related posts weekly, connect with lots of people every day, and you’ll be well on your way to find the job of your dreams.
However, taking such risks definitely pays off. Moreover, professional women’s associations are a plentiful source of networking opportunities, where expat mums can find support from like-minded women.
