I recently became a contributor to this wonderful publication that’s 100 percent dedicated to help aspiring self-bossers like you find portable streams of income and other ways to fund your international lifestyle.

What if you could live and work in Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong or another bustling international hub?

Or perhaps working from a quaint villa in the Italian country side or an island bungalow is more your thing?

If so, I have some fabulous resources to get you there faster!

1. International Living magazine

   International Living magazine is one of the best resources if you’re really serious about moving overseas. In each issue they detail in-depth information on moving or retiring overseas, making money, saving money and learning all the ins and outs on buying property abroad. You’ll also hear from expats who have already made the move.

2. Incomes Abroad

   I recently became a contributor to this wonderful publication. What I love about it is it’s 100 percent dedicated to help aspiring self-bossers like you find portable as well as on-location ways to fund your international lifestyle.
   
   If you muse about the day you can leave the stress of the rat race behind, grab control of your life, and head off on an adventure abroad – with an income that went with you…  with Incomes Abroad to guide you, that day could be a lot sooner than you think.

3. International Career Coach Dominika Miernik

   It can be hard enough to land a satisfying (or any) job or start a business if you’re a native. Being an ex-pat is even trickier.

   That’s where having an experienced career coach can definitely help. Like the multi-talented and multi-lingual Dominika Miernik.

   Originally from Poland, Dominika lived and worked for many years in the UK. Today she operates her own successful career coaching practice in Rome where she specializes in working with ex-pats.

   And if self-employment is your thing, Dominika is also a licensed Profiting From Your Passions® business idea generator.

Either way, Dominika has generously offered to share nine of our 14 ways to launch your international career — and life.

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Guest Article

9 Ways to Launch Your International Career

by Dominika Miernik

In our increasingly global economy more people than ever are choosing to live and work in another country. There are lots of reasons my clients decided to chart a new international career and life.

What about you?

Maybe you’d love to start your own business or create a portable business you can run from anywhere.

Or maybe after spending years in a 9-to-5 job you’re looking to really shake up your life with a new career in a strikingly different location.

Then again for you, an international move may be a necessity. For instance, despite having much to offer opportunities may be limited in your own country. Or, perhaps your partner was transferred overseas and now you need to craft a new livelihood as well.

Regardless of the reason for an international career move, the question is always the same: How do I start this new journey?

Here are nine simple steps to help you to plan your international career.

1.  Plan, Plan, Plan

First and most important, prepare an action plan. To begin, take some time to reflect and ask yourself:

• How would I like my life to be?
• What would I like my international career or business to look like?
• What are my personal, professional and financial goals?
• What do I really want?

Then write down a random list of steps which you can take to achieve your goals.

For example, if you are thinking of swapping to a part-time job and work on your business simultaneously, you may first want to speak with your boss or manager to discuss this possibility.

At the same time, you’ll want to prioritize your goals by giving each one a deadline. For instance, when exactly will you speak with your boss?

Solid plans will give you clarity and guide you to your vision.

2. Do your research

Stop for a moment and think about your background. What do you have to offer to a new employer or the market? What are you good at?

If you want to get a job, search for companies you’d like to work for in the location you want to live.

If you’re looking to start a business, explore your business idea including the practicalities of being your own boss abroad. For example, check whether or not your visa or work permit limits your options for starting a business.

Analyze the local business sector to identify your clients or customers. Are there natural partners you can tap for collaboration or cross-promotion? Who are you your local competitors?

3. 3 Get visible and make contacts

Explore international networking groups. They’re a great way to make new contacts, learn about the country and local culture, and learn the language.

Networking is also a great way to develop contacts that can lead to a job or new clients or customers. Just be sure to resist the temptation to tell the people you meet that you’re looking for a job as it can put them on defense. Instead, say you’re open to new international opportunities, share your future vision, and ask them about their own careers and strategy.

If you want to start a business abroad, look for local business networking opportunities and join in. You’ll also find plenty of entrepreneurs to connect with offline and online.

Once again, show interest in their business and ask lots of questions.

4. Expat yourself as an international assignee

When possible, get a job with a company in your home country where you know the potential exists to be sent on an international assignment. Not only can international experience boost your career, but you can get a taste for living abroad at the same time.

Here too, show your interest and willingness to move aboard or work on international projects and ask lots of questions.

5. Become an entrepreneurial expat

If you’re already working at an international job but dream of being your own boss, know that there’s no one right way to go about starting a business.

For example, you don’t have to give up your full time job and sacrifice your full time pay check right away. Rather you can start small by working at your job during the week and focusing on your business evenings or weekends.

Or you can negotiate a part-time contract and do your business at the same time.

Once you have a business idea make sure it will fit with your desired. If so, then go for it.

6. Dive in

You can always move abroad and then look for a job when you get there. While this is definitely the most challenging strategy, it’s not impossible.

The key is still to make a plan for each step.

Maybe you saved some money which you can invest to start your new life. If not, then you need to consider your financial commitments and come up with a way to fund the first few months in a new country.

7. Get a taste for your new career and international home

Before uprooting your entire life, look for ways to test out your new professional path or business idea as well as a new country.

You could for instance, take a three month sabbatical. Depending on your business or business idea, if you are doing actual work while you’re there, it’s possible you could turn this time into a tax-deductible business expense.

Another way to see how you like living abroad is to volunteer there. If you sign up via a registered non-profit you may be able to deduct your travel and living expenses.

Only when you’re there, will you find out if a particular career path and place is right for you.

8. Get support

Starting an international career, whether it is a traditional job or starting your own business, is exciting. But sometimes it can also be tough.

With any major work life change its easy to lose your energy and motivation. Plus when you’re in a very different culture where you don’t speak the language your self-esteem can decrease quickly.

That’s why you need to surround yourself with people who will support you.

If you don’t have people in your life who support your dream, then shore up your confidence by reading positive stories of others who’ve successfully made the move.

If you’re serious about making a change and need a business or career coach, then start there.

9. Visualize

Believe in yourself and what you can achieve by imagining that you have already turned your dream into reality.

“Seeing” yourself happily living the international life– if even in your minds-eye – can help you gain the courage to leave your comfort zone and reach your professional goals.

These simple steps really can help you start working at what you love and live the global lifestyle you want.

Remember, a good action plan is the first step to success. It will help you keep on track and will automatically motivate you to go further with your career project.

International Career Coach and licensed Profiting From Your Passions® career expert Dominika Miernik helps multi-passionate expats discover their dreamiest career path or find the perfect business idea so they can live the global lifestyle.

After a decade of living, studying and working internationally Dominika decided to reorganise her life to make work fit into her life instead of the other way around. She draws from her professional experience and psychological training to help her clients create realistic action plans so they can thrive in their international careers. V

Visit www.dmcoaching.eu to get your FREE career coaching e-course “Clarify Your Career Goals in 3 Days.” Contact Dominika to schedule Free Expat Edge Session to discover how to start working at what you love and fulfill your ambitions.

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Two More Resources to Help You Launch Your International Life

Like Dominika said, volunteering can be a great way to get a taste for international living.

Whether you ultimately want to make a living while making a difference – or just want a unique way to get your feet wet – here are two resources to get you started: 

1. Global Volunteers
    
   Volunteer vacations are a great way to immerse yourself in another country while helping with local projects.Enter Global Volunteers which organizes one- to three-week volunteer opportunities in Asia (China, India, Vietnam), Europe (Italy, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Romania), North America (Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, St. Lucia, US), South America (Peru and Ecuador), and the Pacific (Cook Islands).

   Volunteer vacations in North America are on the Blackfeet Nation and Crow reservations in Montana.

   Examples of volunteer activities include teaching English at a center for visually-impaired students in Vietnam, joining local efforts to promote girls education or assist with recycling in order to promote eco-tourism in Costa Rica, teaching conversational English in Cuba and Italy, working with at-risk or disabled youth in Greece, and many more.

   You can spend another vacation in a tourist trap. Or you can sign up to make a real difference in someone’s life… yours. All fees, including airfare, are tax deductible for U.S. citizens.

2. Idealist.org
   
   Idealist.org helps you turn your values into your vocation by connecting people who want to do good (idealists) with opportunities for action and collaboration. It has a searchable database of over 100,000 non-profits where you’ll find job postings, volunteer opportunities, internships, events, and more.Site can be accessed in Spanish or French.

Keep the international conversation going! If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be — and why? If you’re not on Facebook just scroll to the bottom of the page to post your answer there.