Working and moving abroad is one of the best things that you can do – trust me – I’ve done it a ton. That being said, working abroad with no experience can be a tricky thing to do.
As a female expat and long-term traveler, working abroad can be daunting sometimes, so here’s my guide for how to work abroad with no experience as a female!
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Visas
First things first, if you want to work abroad, you’re going to need a visa. If you have no experience then this can definitely be tricky.
Some countries need you to have a job offer before granting you a work visa, and if you have no experience, that might be a bit difficult. Unless you have family ties to a country overseas, your options might be limited.
With that in mind, you might want to consider a student visa. You don’t have to go to a university or college to get a student visa, you can just enroll in a local language school. Most student visas allow you to work at least part-time.
Although if you would like to stay in a country long-term, getting your Master’s degree there is a great idea!
For example, the UK student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours a week alongside your studies, so you can get a job and gain experience while living abroad.
Once you have some experience and are in the country, you can try and find a job in your new home that offers work visa sponsorships so that you can stay even longer!
Finding Accommodation
After finding a job abroad, finding accommodation is the second hardest thing to do. It’s pretty common for expats to stay in hostels until they can find more permanent lodgings or get a job that has a steady income.
You need to consider how much your wages are going to be plus any student stipend. Once you know that, you can work out if you can afford your own place, whether you need to get a room in a houseshare, or if you need to find a job that includes accommodation as standard.
They’re all pretty great options with their own pros and cons, depending on the situation you’re in.
While you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you can stay for free with Trusted Housesitters. You can stay at someone’s house while they are away in exchange for watching their house or sometimes their pet.
It’s a great way to travel the world for free or even test out living in an area without fully committing!
Different Kinds of Work Abroad
Given that you don’t have any work experience, jobs might be limited. Let’s be honest, it’s rare to walk into a fancy office job if you haven’t had any admin experience or even a weekend gig.
These jobs are all work-abroad classics that have stood the test of time for good reason!
I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
Workaway & Trusted Housesitters
If you need to find a work abroad option that includes accommodation, without having experience, Workaway is an awesome option. Essentially, you’re working abroad in exchange for accommodation and normally food.
Some gigs also have a small wage included which is pretty cool, but if you have zero experience, this can be a great option.
There’s a huge range of gigs all around the world ranging from hostel work to babysitting to helping out on farms or even language practice. You can definitely find something that will interest you, and you can filter by time of year or the number of reviews that a host has.
It’s a really great platform and a favorite of solo female travelers for a reason!
You won’t be spending a ton of money on accommodation and you’ll gain experience along the way. You can also read the reviews of other travelers for the gigs that you like the look of which can be reassuring as a solo female traveler.
Another way to do this is by petsitting or housesitting. Trusted Housesitters is a site where you can stay at someone’s house while they are away in exchange for watching their house or sometimes their pet.
You can look for a job without needing to pay for accommodation!
Hospitality
Ah, hospitality – the first place that everyone turns to for entry-level jobs. If you’re looking for a part-time job to earn money alongside studying, or to gain some customer service experience, working in a bar, restaurant, or hostel can be a great way to make it work.
Honestly, it doesn’t seem to matter where you’re traveling to, hospitality is the one industry that always seems to be hiring no matter what. You can easily pick up a few shifts and meet some new friends along the way to help you get settled in your new home.
Bonus tip: if you can get a job at a hostel, you can normally get free accommodation or at least a highly discounted rate, which will go a long way when you’re trying to set up your new life abroad.
Seasonal Work
If you’re looking for a work-abroad job with no experience that encompasses flights, accommodation, wages, and a visa, seasonal work is definitely the way to go. It’s a no-fuss option that’s perfect for new travelers or expats.
Seasonal jobs can include working at a ski resort, at summer camps, or in tourist areas during peak seasons. There’s a ton of variety and everyone who works there tends to be in the same boat, jumping from seasonal gigs throughout the year in order to work abroad.
Teaching English
Finally, we have a work abroad classic. If you’re a native English speaker, you can teach abroad with no experience in a lot of places. While some countries want a university or college degree or a TEFL certification, there are plenty of places that still just want native speakers and nothing else.
Female English teachers abroad are always in demand, especially in countries where lessons are segregated based on gender. As a result, you get flights, accommodation, visas, teaching materials, and pretty decent wages all included in your hiring packages.
A lot of the time, the rest of the teachers in your international school will be people from around the world, doing exactly what you’re doing, so there’s an in-built social circle ready for you as soon as you move, which is a huge plus!
No Experience? You Can Still Work Abroad!
So, if you’re wanting to work abroad as a female with no experience, it is definitely possible. You might have some limited options when it comes to where you can work and what industry, but you can definitely make it work for you.
Moving abroad was one of the best things that I ever did and I know that you’re going to love it too!
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Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.