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Looking for a change of scenery? Do you want to travel the world while still providing for your family, but don't know where to start? It might be daunting looking for work in a new country, especially if you've never been there before or don't speak the language, but don't worry! Here's 8 ways to find work in a new country:

1. Online job boards

Job boards are likely the most convenient and comfortable way of finding a job because you've already used them! The majority of countries will have online job boards, and some interchange with ones you've used in the past, such as LinkedIn. If you don't already know, job boards provide a wide variety of jobs with many different sized companies. It doesn't matter if you're a graduate just starting your career, someone with 20+ years experience in hospitality, or someone looking for a part-time job, job boards are a great way to go as they'll always have something available for you.

2. Blogs

If you're unsure of where to find job boards, or how to apply for an international job or visa, blogs are often the way to go. They'll give you relevant, recent advice about the country and job field you're interested in, and they might have a contact page or comment section where you can get more advice from the author. Blogs are often from a personal point of view, so you'll likely find pros and cons, which will help you navigate your journey. For example, searching 'job boards in the UK' led me to a blog with different popular job boards in the United Kingdom.

3. Agencies

Much like your local job center, agencies operate online and in-person. With an agency, you provide all of the necessary information, such as your name, qualifications, work experience, job interests, and more personal details that you might find in a job application. They'll help you find work in your chosen country, and depending on the agency, they'll have their own job board on their website where you can look for work yourself.

When you've found a potential job, they'll help you with your application, and give you advice about applying for a visa and moving. Agencies are often found within your local online job board too, which you can find by searching something along the lines of 'agency for international work.' For example, the TEFL Academy are a great agency for getting a qualification in teaching English in another country, that also provide a job board and support at the end of the course.

4. Recommendations and referrals

If you already have a job and want to stay in that line of work, you may be on the right track. Many companies have remote, hybrid and on-site work options that operate around the world. If you're in line for a promotion or just wanting a change of scenery, your company might be able to transfer you to a different location.

If not, have a talk with your boss or a colleague with connections because they could refer you to a different department or company where it'll be easier for you to secure an interview and a job overall. Not only this, but if you're working for a big-brand company, they'll be more likely to help you with living and travel costs, and support you with applying for a visa, driving license, credit card, and maybe even groceries if you're really unfamiliar with the environment.

5. Volunteer vacations

Most likely something you've never heard of, volunteer vacations are a great way to get part-time work in a new country while also having a short vacation. It may not be as glamorous or relaxing as you're used to, but it gives you the chance to work at cafés and farms, in hospitality or teaching, and more job fields. If this is too occupational or conventional for you, you can help build wells or join safaris for a more meaningful experience that you might not get anywhere else.

You could get a package deal for work and living with a host family or in a hotel, and it's a great way to get a feel of the country, its culture, the people, and the workplace before making your final decision. Volunteer vacations are great for students or graduates as it's unlikely that the role or host family can support your own family, and many students do this with friends. These types of vacations and work can also last up to a year with the option of extending, and a minimum of just a week!

6. Social media networking

Let's be honest, you can try networking in real-life at events, but it's much more convenient and comfortable to network online. You can reach a big audience, people you don't even know from many different fields and countries, who are willing to refer you and give you international job advice. If you use LinkedIn, then you already know how to find and apply for jobs, and you know that you can change the criteria and your own profile to suit the job and country you're interested in.

You'll also know that you can add your own posts with hashtags and you can comment on other people's posts, but do you know about #SocialSaturday and other trends? On this day, every week, you'll find many posts where people are more open to connecting with strangers, such as hiring managers and people looking for work, and alongside connecting with them, you can write your own story about finding work. Who knows, someone might stumble across your post or comment, share it, and you could receive a ton messages about potential jobs!

7. Company career pages

If you've got a specific company in mind, you can head over to their website and click on their career page, which is usually found at the bottom of their website or the toolbar. There, you'll be able to find your chosen job field and country, then click the role to apply. It's the simplest way to find an international job as that one career page on their website will account for all of their job roles and locations.

8. Freelance

Freelancing might be the way to go if you're working in the arts, such as literal art forms, music, writing, tutoring, and more. Already having freelance experience will help you as you'll have loyal clients that you can continue working with. However, having general work experience will also help you get trustworthy clients and a good income. Your freelancing site, whether it's your own blog or website, or a recruitment-based one, should work internationally, such as Freelancer.

You might find more clients from that specific country, which is great when finding new clients and new types of work, but it could be difficult navigating the site depending on the language barrier as you'll have less personal support. Also, applying for a visa would be your responsibility, which you can get more information about online at your local government site. But don't let this scare you, because you can do it if you put your mind to it!

Deanna (or "Nana Barratt") is an MA Creative and Media Enterprises graduate from the University of Warwick. She previously studied Popular Music, but decided to take a different career path into writing. She now writes about music, the TV and film industry, and East-Asian culture, and gives student advice and lifestyle tips.