Moving Abroad

How to Find a Job Abroad Before You Move: A Step-by-Step Plan

4 min read

In this guide
  1. Step 1: Check which visa route lets you work
  2. Step 2: Use the official job service of your target country
  3. Step 3: Build a resume that matches local norms
  4. Step 4: Verify the employer
  5. Step 5: Plan the interview and the offer
  6. Step 6: Prepare for the move
  7. Common mistakes
  8. Frequently asked questions
    1. Can I look for a job in the UK from abroad?
    2. Is it safe to pay a recruiter?
    3. Does Find a job cover Northern Ireland?
  9. Key takeaways
  10. Related guides
  11. Sources

Quick answer: To find a job abroad before you move, start with the visa route that lets you work there, search on the country’s official job service, tailor a local-style resume, and verify every employer before you pay or share documents. For Great Britain, the government’s Find a job service covers jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. Never pay anyone to “guarantee” a job or visa.

Looking for work from another country is slower and riskier than searching at home. Employers worry about visas, you worry about scams, and time zones make interviews awkward. The good news is that a clear order of steps keeps you safe and moving. This guide gives that order, with only the facts we could verify on official pages.

Step 1: Check which visa route lets you work

A job offer is only useful if you are allowed to take it. Before you apply, learn the route for your destination:

Some roles are only open to people who already have the right to work. Employers in the UK also have to check it: see right to work checks.

Step 2: Use the official job service of your target country

Government services are a safer starting point than random websites. For Great Britain, GOV.UK’s Find a job lets you search and apply for full-time or part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate service. The service also links to advice on avoiding job scams and to careers guidance from the National Careers Service.

We could not verify equivalent official job services for other countries in this round, so look for your destination’s government job portal and read its terms before you sign up.

Step 3: Build a resume that matches local norms

Rewrite your resume for the country you are applying to. Our guide to a resume for applying abroad shows Canada’s official rules (two pages, no photo, no Social Insurance Number) and a sample layout.

Step 4: Verify the employer

  1. Search for the company on official registers and its own website, not only on the advert.
  2. Check that the contact email uses the company’s domain.
  3. Be suspicious if you are asked to pay for a job, visa or “processing”. Read how to avoid visa and job offer scams.
  4. Never send your passport scan or bank details before a written, verified offer.

Step 5: Plan the interview and the offer

  • Offer two or three time slots in the employer’s time zone.
  • Ask in writing about visa sponsorship, start date and who pays relocation costs.
  • Read the contract carefully. For the UK, see employment contract basics and minimum wage rates.

Step 6: Prepare for the move

Once you have an offer, work through the moving abroad checklist and the documents list. After you land, use your first 90 days in a new country for banking, tax numbers and healthcare.

Step What to do Where to check
1 Pick a work visa route Destination government site
2 Search official job services e.g. GOV.UK Find a job for Great Britain
3 Tailor your resume Local careers service
4 Verify the employer Company register, company email domain
5 Get the offer in writing Contract and visa sponsorship terms

Common mistakes

  • Applying before checking whether you can legally work there.
  • Paying “agents” who promise guaranteed jobs.
  • Sending the same resume everywhere.
  • Skipping the written offer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I look for a job in the UK from abroad?

GOV.UK’s Find a job service lets you search for jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. Whether you can take a job depends on your visa.

Is it safe to pay a recruiter?

Be very cautious. Genuine visa processes do not need you to pay private individuals before you apply. See our scam guide.

Does Find a job cover Northern Ireland?

No. The page says Northern Ireland has a separate service.

Key takeaways

  • Check your work visa route first.
  • Use official job services and verify every employer.
  • Get everything in writing before you move.

This page is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: Find a job
  • Job Bank (Government of Canada): Write a good résumé

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