We know how stressful relocating can be; packing up your whole life and moving to an unknown location, knowing nothing about the culture or the language. It’s not enough that you are starting a new job with a new team, but suddenly the whole world seems different.
Just take a deep breath and try to focus on these few steps to make this process easier.
Thinking ahead
If you have the time and the opportunity go and visit your future home. Don’t focus only on your future job, but try to see your new home, maybe kindergartens or schools if you are bringing your children along.
Clear directions
If your company is sending you to another location to a new team then you probably have some goals to achieve. Make sure the assignment and the expectations are all clear, this will make any preparation easier.
Language learning
Are you relocating to a country where people speak a different language? Just relax! You will probably be part of a team where you all speak the same language, but since it’s a different country, most people will speak the official language. You can get by with English almost anywhere, but it’s always a good idea the learn to language of your new teammates, it will be appreciated, and you will begin to understand more and more each day.
Workplace culture
It doesn’t matter if you are transferring to a different role in your existing company, you are still moving to a whole new country with different workplace culture and office rules. Somewhere it is against the rules to reply to emails outside the working hours, and somewhere it is frowned upon to take all of your holiday allowance. Every country has its own rules and you should understand how it works where you are going.
Visa traps
If you are relocating to a country where you need a visa, be sure to check every little detail about it, because there could be restrictions you don’t even know about. Some visas may limit the time you can spend out of the country, and others allow you to bring your family with you, but they can’t work or go to school. Be sure to check every possible outcome!
Stop rushing
Once you know all the details of moving to a new place, just relax and take a deep breath. Consider sharing any doubts you may have with friends, family or co-workers, they are there to help you make the right decision.
Know your role
When you are starting a new job it’s not enough just to jump in the role and expect everything to be okay. Always make sure you have enough time to get familiar with the business and your part in it before you take over someone else’s role. If this is not enough for you, you can always get a mentor. Make sure there is someone you can talk to, maybe a person who’s been in your position, who’s also an expat. They will surely inform you about everything you need to know; maybe you won’t be able to fix these problems right away, but at least you will know what to expect.
Thinking about relocating abroad? Make sure to contact your local relocation service.