5 Things You Need to Know Before You Start a Job Search Abroad

Before you pack your bags, read this.

Moving to another country for work can be one of the most exciting and life-changing decisions you make. It’s an opportunity to grow professionally, improve your language skills, make international friends—and experience life through a different lens. But behind every successful relocation, there’s one key ingredient: preparation.

Here are 5 essential things you should know before applying for jobs abroad—so you can avoid last-minute stress, speed up the process, and land a role that fits your goals.

1. Work Authorization Isn’t Optional

Let’s start with the basics: you need the legal right to work in the country you’re applying to.
In most EU countries, employers can only hire candidates who already hold valid work authorization. This typically means EU/EEA citizenship or a work visa/permit if you’re a non-EU national.

👉 If you already have it, highlight that clearly in your application.
👉 If you don’t, look out for roles that mention “visa sponsorship”—but know they’re rare and competitive.

Documents you’ll likely need once hired:

• Valid ID/passport

• Signed employment contract

• Tax number and social security registration

• Bank account (in-country)

• Residence registration (in some cases)

• Health insurance (European card or private coverage)

💡 Pro tip: Scan or store copies of your ID, CV, diplomas, and references in the cloud. You’ll thank yourself later when HR requests them—again.

2. Languages Matter (A Lot)

Speaking English is often enough to get your foot in the door, especially in international companies. But your native language can be the superpower that lands you the job.

There’s high demand across Europe for roles in Customer Support, Sales, and Trust & Safety that require:

• German

• Dutch

• French

• Nordic languages (Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish)

Many companies operate multilingual teams serving different markets—so being fluent in a target language often means higher pay and faster interviews.

How to stand out:

• Mention your target language in your CV title and LinkedIn headline
  e.g. German-speaking Customer Advisor – Lisbon

• Include a clear Languages section with levels (C1, native, fluent...)

• Show how you use that language professionally: “Handled 50+ DACH region customer tickets per day via chat and email.”

3. Net Salary vs. Real Life: Do the Math

A salary can look great—until you realize that rent, food, and transport eat up most of it. Always look at the net salary (after tax) and compare it with the real cost of living in your destination city.

Key costs to research:

• Rent + deposit

• Public transport

• Groceries & basic essentials

• SIM card + Wi-Fi

• Temporary accommodation (if needed)

• Initial setup (furniture, home items, ID cards, etc.)

Also check whether the role includes:

• 12 or 14 payments per year?

• Language bonus?

• Paid training or relocation help?

• Temporary housing support?

📝 First-month survival checklist:
Rent + deposit · Transport card · Food · Phone plan · Essentials for your room/apartment · Buffer fund for surprises

4. Your CV Needs to Work There, Not Just Here

A good CV can be your best travel companion—if it speaks the same language as the hiring manager.
That means translating, adapting, and customizing your application for each country and each job offer.

What recruiters expect:

• Job titles they recognize (e.g. Customer Support Agent, Content Reviewer, Sales Advisor)

• Bullet points with results, not just tasks

• Localized formats (some countries include photos, others don’t)

• Language-specific versions (EN, DE, FR... depending on the job market)

Easy ways to optimize:

• Mirror keywords from the job ad into your CV and LinkedIn profile

• Use short, clear sentences with real impact metrics:
  “Improved CSAT to 92%”, “Handled 30+ queries/day”, “Achieved 12% upsell rate”

💡 Time-saver tip:
Create a base CV and tweak just 3 things per job:

1. The headline

2. 5–6 key skills

3. Top 3 achievements that match the offer

5. The Hiring Process Abroad: What to Expect

Each company is different—but most international hiring processes follow a similar structure:

Typical steps:

1. Initial screening (email, phone or WhatsApp)

2. Online assessments (language tests, logic, etc.)

3. 1–2 video interviews (with HR or team leads)

4. (Optional) Role-specific tasks or case studies

5. Offer and relocation details

Be prepared to answer:

• When can you relocate?

• What’s your expected salary?

• Do you have your documents ready?

• Are you open to training/start dates within 2–4 weeks?

📩 Bonus tip:
Always follow up after interviews. A short thank-you message + a reminder of your availability shows professionalism and keeps you top of mind.

Bonus: Make Your Landing Easier

Once you’ve signed the offer—get ready for the real move.

Essentials for week 1:

• Local SIM card (with data)

• Maps of the area, apps for transport, food delivery, etc.

• Copies of your contract and ID

• Address of your workplace and onboarding schedule

• Backup of all official docs in case your bag disappears

Smart move:
Book 2–4 weeks in temporary housing before committing to a long-term lease. You’ll have time to explore neighborhoods, meet colleagues, and settle in stress-free.

Final Pre-Apply Checklist ✅

Before you send that next CV, make sure:

• I have the right to work in the country

• My CV is in the correct language and adapted to the market

• I know my net salary needs based on local costs

• I’ve prepared my move date and availability

• I have a follow-up message ready after interviews

What’s next?

Start exploring roles that actually match your language and goals.
At CityJobOffers, we help thousands of candidates every month start fresh careers in sunny, fast-growing European cities—like Lisbon, Athens, Barcelona, Sofia, and more.

📌 Customer Support · Sales · Content Review · Hospitality · Tech Support

🚀 CityJobOffers tip:
If you already have EU work authorization, apply today and mention your language in the CV title.
If not, keep checking back—we regularly post roles with visa sponsorship or relocation support.