Moving abroad isn’t one of the decisions that can be made easily. There are many things to consider and many questions to ask yourself. On the one hand, there’s a perspective of living your dream life in a foreign country, but on the other hand, there’s a risk of making a bad decision and ending up in a country that just doesn’t click with you. So, in this article, we’d like to give you the list of questions that we believe are very important to ask yourself before moving your tech career abroad.
What’s the primary reason to relocate?
Ask yourself, “what’s your primary motive for moving abroad”? Is it a dream to live in a (particular) foreign country? Or is it for your dream developer job and new experiences? It’s important that you get clear on your driving motive and choose your next work abroad destination in line with it. Think of your values too. Relocation is a big step and can be very exciting. But you need to know that your core values will be honoured there and you won’t need to compromise on the things that are important to you.
What will I get out of my move?
Having identified the driving motive behind your decision to move abroad, take time and try to imagine your life abroad. What do you want it to be about and what appeals to you the most? Is it primarily about advancing your IT career and gaining new skills, or you also want to be able to travel, meet new people and learn about new cultures? There are many IT jobs in Europe that will let you combine all these things. So, before you make a decision, make sure you’ve got a clear answer as to what is it that you expect to get out of your move.
What will my IT career be like in 1-3-5 years?
As a software developer, you should be looking not only for a well-paid rewarding job but also for a great company that will be interested in your career growth. Negotiate to find out how the work is organized there and what additional benefits are included in your package. A good employer will not only help you with the relocation process but also should assist you in prolonging your visa if so required and, when the project ends, finding a new position for you. Make sure to ask from the beginning how long your assignment may last so that you will be ready and prepared to take a new course when the time comes.
What are the top IT companies would I love to work for and where are they located?
Take time and do research on the top IT jobs available abroad. It might be a good idea to make a list of companies that you’ve heard of and/or you’d love to work for. If you’ve long been dreaming about working for Booking, Coolblue, or maybe Optiver, consider relocating to the Netherlands. If you always wanted to work and live in Germany, you might be interested in software engineering jobs offered by Zalando, N26, or Scalable Capital. Once you’ve made a list of the companies that you’re interested in, check where they are located. This will help find the right apartment and save you hours commuting to and from work.
Would my partner or family be directly impacted by the move abroad? Do they support me?
If that was you who initiated relocation, you should make sure your family is up for it. Moving abroad isn’t only about fun and new opportunities. It’s also about closing doors behind the old friends and people who are important to you. That’s why it’s extremely important that your partner is on board with you and supports your decision to move abroad for a new software engineering job before you start the relocation process.
Why am I still here?
Last but not least, ask yourself why you’re still here. What is it that holds you back? Timing is never going to be perfect, that’s the thing, so if you’ve got enough supporters and are positive about getting an IT job abroad, make a plan and move!
