Looking to work abroad? Here are in-demand jobs in Australia, Canada, USA, UK & more…
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work abroad? Landing the job of your dreams, meeting new people, and getting immersed in a new culture sounds fascinating, but it is even possible?
Fear not! It turns out global job opportunities exist from Australia across the sea to the UK, Canada, and of course the USA. But don’t get too far ahead of yourself, because finding work abroad wouldn’t be complete without understanding migration trends and government policies that may impact your chances of wheedling your way into an international job market.
So, before you break out into the world with dreams of landing a job overseas, take some time to learn how countries set themselves apart on the work front.
The global surge in international migration: opportunities and trends
International migration is undoubtedly on the rise, and if you’ve ever been in a crowded European city, or caught an Asian market bustle with activity, you know this to be true!
According to the World Migration Report 2022, there were an incredible 281 million migrant workers worldwide in 2020. Europe and Asia were arguably leading the pack, as 87 and 86 million international migrants resided in each, respectively – totalling 61% of the entire global international migrant stock.
In all seriousness though, these countries offer several great job opportunities for skilled migrants, which is why we’re seeing this surge.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of job hunting, let’s explore how COVID has uprooted migration like never before!
You might be interested in: 5 non-work visas that allow you to experience living abroad
Impact of COVID-19 on migration
COVID-19 caused a tremendous amount of disruption to many industries, but one of the most severely impacted was global migration. With flight bans and international border closing, people worldwide were temporarily grounded from making plans to move abroad or meet loved ones living in another country.
Although this pandemic created a lot of uncertainty for millions of expats, it could be seen as an opportunity for people to re-evaluate their lives, connect with family members digitally, and make meaningful changes for the future.
In a post-Covid world, many of those expats will now find themselves in an unfamiliar situation as the cost of living and rental costs have significantly increased.
Despite these difficulties, this could be an opportunity for career shifts and creativity regarding job searches with so much transition due to Covid-19. It may take some time, but with a hopeful attitude and some out-of-the-box thinking, post-Covid life may open new avenues for ambitious expats.
The map shows the total number of international migrants within each country. Image from World Migration Report 2022
Top 10 countries people move to:
- USA
- Germany
- Saudi Arabia
- United Kingdom
- France
- United Arab Emirates
- Canada
- Australia
- Spain
- Italy
Top 10 countries people move from:
- India
- Mexico
- Russia Federation
- Syrian Arab Republic
- China
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Ukraine
- Philippines
- Afghanistan
The labour markets in destination countries: Which roles are in demand?
Host country | Roles in demand |
USA | Nurse, Human Resources Analytics Managers, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Managers, Employee Experience Managers, Truck Drivers, Demand Generation Managers, Data Governance Managers, Grants Management Specialists, Content Strategists, Environmental Analysts, and Business Operations Managers. |
Germany | Dentistry, Healthcare and Paramedical, Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, Electricians, Mechanics, Mechatronics, Energy Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Craft Production and Maintenance. |
Saudi Arabia | Human Resources Operations Specialists, Environmental Managers, Back-End Engineer, SQL Developer, Back-End Developers, Threat Intelligence Analyst or Vulnerability Analyst, Security Operations Center Analysts, Cyber Security Managers, Information Security Analyst, Cyber Security Engineer or Information Security Consultant. |
United Kingdom | Care Workers, Home Carers, Welding Trades, Graphic Designers, Laboratory Technicians, Quality Control and Planning Engineers, Actuaries, Economists, Statisticians, Architects, Veterinarians, Web Design, Programmers and Software Developers, IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers, Engineers, Physical Scientists, Biological Scientists and Biochemists, Chemical Scientists. |
France | Winegrowers, Arboriculturists, Crop Pickers, Cleaners, Unskilled Packaging and Goods Handling Workers, Care and Social Support Professionals, including Home Helps and Domestic Cleaners. |
United Arab Emirates | Commercial Sales Representatives, JavaScript Developer, Web Designer, User Experience (UX) Designer or User Interface (UI) Designer, Front-End Developers, Back-End Developers, Blockchain Developers, Aircraft Maintenance Technician or Aviation Maintenance Technician, Fraud Investigator, Product Designers, User Experience Designer. |
Canada | Accountants, Sales Representatives, Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses Aerospace Engineers, Civil Engineers, Computer Engineers, Computer Programmers, and Software Engineers. |
Australia | Nurses, Teachers, Construction Managers, Electricians, Engineers, and Child Carers. |
Spain | Lorry Drivers, Builders, Electricians, Crane Operators, Foremen, Site Managers, Civil Engineers, Forklift Operators and Distributors, Specialised Doctors and Nurses, Hospital Nursing Assistants, Specialists in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Engineers, Agile Coaches, Big Data Developers. Architecture Experts, Cyber Security Specialists, Drone Traffic Controllers, Online Customer Representatives, and 3D Printing Designers. |
Italy | ICT Technicians, Computer Science Specialists Engineers, Architects, Social Science, Market Analysts, Marketing Specialists, Technicians, Specialised Mechanics and Industrial Equipment Assemblers, Construction Engineers, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Radiologists and Laboratory Technicians, Doctors and Qualified Healthcare and Social Services Professionals. |
*Not an exhaustive list!
You might be interested in: 40 highest paying careers for a secured future
3 policy implications in host countries
The phrase ‘a better life’ is often associated with international migration. For many, the opportunity to seek greater economic prosperity or even a more resilient community are motivating factors for leaving their native land in search of something new and exciting. But not everyone has an equal chance at achieving these developmental dreams – reality can be surprisingly precarious when following this path.
Passport
The reality is some passports will allow much easier migration than others. Nationality determines these privileges, with certain citizens having more options than others.
Top 10 passports in the world:
- Japan
- Singapore and South Korea
- Germany and Spain
- Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg
- Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden
- France, Ireland, Portugal, and the U.K.
- Belgium, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the U.S.
- Australia, Canada, Greece, and Malta
- Hungary and Poland
- Lithuania and Slovakia
Government policies
Migratory policies have become increasingly important in the ever-changing world of global mobility and visa access. Countries are now beginning to look more closely at the ability of individuals to migrate, regardless of their nationality or background, creating policies that allow countries to respond quickly and effectively to changes within or outside their borders.
One of the ways they do this is by providing visas that identify and fill skills shortages. In these cases, a country can provide greater opportunities for those looking for work visas, allowing them access to jobs that are usually listed on their skills shortage list.
Australia’s points-based system is one great example of how immigrant-friendly policies for high-skilled migrants can bring about immense beneficial effects for both citizens and foreign workers alike.
Another example is bilateral agreements – two countries might agree that people can travel between them without a visa. The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement between Australia and New Zealand is a perfect example of the great potential of bilateral agreements between two countries.
Without a visa, individuals can now travel easily back and forth, exploring both cultures and environments with ease.
More importantly, this collaboration opens the door for registered professionals working in an occupation within one country to practice the same occupation in another without having to jump through red tape.
The other side of government policies
Governments have the difficult task of managing immigration, considering all of its potential impacts. Immigration can be a boon to society, bringing not only new ideas and cultures but also economic prosperity.
On the other hand, it can strain resources and cause disruptions within a community. While it is important to strike a balance that preserves a nation’s stability and its state of progress at any given time, it is hopeful that government policies are carefully crafted to ensure an open-minded approach to immigration.
This will allow for diverse perspectives, cultural exchange and considerable advancements in our world.
How best to leverage these factors to make your next move?
Moving to another country can be an exciting and invigorating experience, yet it’s important to understand many complex factors come into play when making such a big decision. It’s important to weigh careful considerations such as logistics and quality of life before actually committing to taking up residence.
This article has hopefully given you some insight into the process so that you can make an educated choice. You’ve got this: with a bit of careful planning and knowledge on hand, moving to another country really can open up amazing opportunities for you.
Before you go…
With all the hustle and bustle of relocating to another country, it can be a pain to try and manage your money.
Well, take a deep breath and sigh of relief because Instarem is here to make the transition easy. With competitive exchange rates and no hidden fees, we will take all the whiny financial worries away.
Download the app or sign up on the web and see how easy it is to send money with Instarem; you deserve an easier money transition during this exciting journey!
*Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.
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