How to translate my foreign work experience for a new job market
Relocating abroad often leaves professionals with employment gaps and resumes that local employers do not know how to evaluate. Because high-end coaching is too expensive for someone currently out of work, job seekers end up stuck without peer guidance on how to rebrand their background or whether to keep trying.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1looking for informal mentoring or connections on online forumsDid this help you?
- 2Living on military retirement and disability incomeDid this help you?
- 3Renting out a property for supplemental cash flowDid this help you?
- 4Considering relocating to the spouse's home country where the cost of living is lowerDid this help you?
- 5Targeting lower-level entry roles like Accounting Clerk, AP/AR Clerk, or Bookkeeping AssistantDid this help you?
- 6Self-studying local software like QuickBooks and ExcelDid this help you?
- 7Seeking guidance from online forums on necessary local certifications or skillsDid this help you?
- 8Working locally in accounts payable for several months before applying to jobs in the target cityDid this help you?
- 9Moving immediately and living off personal savings until finding employmentDid this help you?
- 10File for unemployment benefitsDid this help you?
- 11Apply to jobs using a mobile phone or public library computersDid this help you?
- 12Take interim jobs in banking or rideshare drivingDid this help you?
- 13Use temporary staffing agencies for fast placementDid this help you?
- 14Applying to state auditor offices or government agencies that hire out of college and allow location mobility over timeDid this help you?
- 15Gaining 3+ years of experience and a CPA license to make inter-state relocation easierDid this help you?
- 16Securing a job offer prior to relocatingDid this help you?
- 17Reaching out to college career services, state agencies, or private employers for job opportunitiesDid this help you?
- 18Saving up cash reserves before attempting a moveDid this help you?
- 19Asking online communities for business ideas or project suggestionsDid this help you?
- 20Leveraging past professional experience in customer success and operationsDid this help you?
- 21Studying for and getting a CPA or CMA certification to help secure a jobDid this help you?
- 22Relying on current employment in another state while researching the new marketDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I just got fired from a new job I was working for two months as an Accounting Supervisor at a scientific research nonprofit.”source ↗
“I spent all my savings on the move and my laptop broke during the move so I dont know where to start with the job search.”source ↗
“I dont even have enough to buy a box of chalk. How am I going to get thru this?”source ↗
“I REALLY want to get back up there and REALLY don't want to stay in the Midwest, but finding a non-big 4 role that gets me where I want to be is looking less likely by the day.”source ↗
“I've been to several career fairs lately, but , as expected due to region, they don't have great avenues out of the Midwest, let alone to PNW.”source ↗
“I just really need someone who's been through similar to share their insight on how to handle this.”source ↗
“I’m trying to figure out if accounting is a realistic career path for me.”source ↗
“Most of my accounting education and work experience was outside the U.S., so I’m not familiar with the U.S. accounting system yet.”source ↗
“I’m feeling a little lost about where to start and what the fastest and most realistic way would be to get my first job.”source ↗
“I really want to move to Chicago early in my career but I really don't know how.”source ↗
“How difficult is it to get a job out of state? Do I have any chance if I don't live there already?”source ↗
“Accounting manager positions are underpaid. Get your cpa asap. I got it in my mid thirties. Looking back I wish I would have gotten it right outside of College.”source ↗
“Yeah, getting to 30 now and I just wasn't financially able to right after college. Definitely more ready to now.”source ↗
“Is it difficult to relocate and find a job in another country when you have worked in the corporate tax field in a different country?”source ↗
“tax law is so jurisdiction specific that you’d basically be starting from scratch in a lot of ways.”source ↗
“the bigger hurdle might just be the visa situation unless you’ve got dual citizenship or something lined up.”source ↗
“I don’t have a car😭😭😭 applying is hard without a computer im trying tondo it on my phone.”source ↗
“I’m currently on a career break of about two years after relocating to Canada.”source ↗
“I’m looking to connect with someone who has a similar background, particularly someone with SAP and IT service/operations leadership experience, who can help me understand how to position my experience for the Canadian market and prepare for interviews.”source ↗
“I’m happy to pay a reasonable amount for someone’s time, but since I’m currently unemployed, I can’t afford the rates of professional coaching platforms.”source ↗
“After 3.5 years in Dubai, I'm moving back to Egypt. Now, I want to make money, what could I do? Suggest some business ideas or projects.”source ↗
“i just wanted to get some opinions/advice. i just turned 21 and a recent criminal justice graduate, and i’m planning to relocate to kentucky. i currently have about $13k in savings (my checking acc amount not included). do you guys think that’s enough to realistically move there, especially while looking for a job and getting settled?”source ↗
“I think you shouldn't move without first finding a job. You can burn through $13k quickly almost anywhere with an extended unemployment stint.”source ↗
“Especially trying to sign a lease with no income…”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3How to restart your career after a long gap
- 4Can I keep my Etsy shop and Payoneer account after moving abroad?
- 3Why is it so hard to make friends after moving?
- 7How do teachers move to another state without losing pay and benefits?
- 19Why do accountants take the first job offer after unemployment?
- 3Is it too late to switch to a trade at 45?