Recently, the number of clients wishing to go to Europe has significantly increased. While some of the employees working for international companies in Turkey describe it as a natural next step in their careers or wish to see it that way, many others view Europe as a means to attain prosperity, escape from pessimism, unhappiness, and insecurity, and create a better future, especially for their children if they have any.
For these young individuals aspiring to continue their careers in Europe, I have some suggestions in terms of preparation to ensure they don’t jump out of the frying pan and into the fire:
Visa and Work Permit : Obtaining a visa, especially a work permit, for Europe is a complex, time-consuming, and sometimes discouraging process, as you may already know. It is essential to thoroughly research the visa requirements of the European country you are targeting and ensure that you meet all the criteria. Assuming: My current company or the company I will work for will handle this matter and neglecting can lead to disappointment a few steps later due to a requirement you couldn’t fulfill or unnecessarily prolong the already lengthy process.
Foreign Language: Knowing the language of the country you wish to move to is crucial for adapting to a new country. If you take the easy way out by saying, “English is universally applicable anyway,” you may put yourself at a disadvantage compared to those who have learned at least some of the language spoken in the country you’re aiming for. Being able to speak the language of the country you want to go to is also important for your future there. This will liberate you from being completely dependent on your employment terms or conditions for the duration of your stay.
Job Market and Competition : Make sure to acquire knowledge about the job search processes and different hiring practices in Europe. For example, the first step could be updating your resume to meet European standards.
Cultural Adaptation : Moving to a new country requires adapting to a different culture, customs, and social norms. Not only should you try to understand the cultural differences you might encounter in advance, but if you are married, it is also beneficial for your entire family to be aware of these differences. Prepare yourself and the family members who will accompany you for a very different environment by being open-minded and more respectful of all kinds of opinions.
Cost of Living : Gather information about the cost of living in your target country. The income you will earn there (especially when converting Euros or Pounds to Turkish Lira) may seem very high to you. However, what matters most is purchasing power. In reality, despite earning much more than your current salary nominally, you may find yourself leading a more challenging life than in Turkey in the desired country.
Socializing and Networking : Try to establish a social network with people in your target country before you go there. This can include professional networking events or joining communities that you will become a part of once you arrive through online platforms. In general, this can contribute to the development of your network and business connections even before you start working.
Legal and Administrative Procedures : Familiarize yourself with the legal and administrative procedures in the new country. Don’t expect everything to be handled by the HR department. It would be beneficial to have a better understanding of matters such as residence registration, the healthcare system, tax obligations, and other necessary documents than your HR manager.
In summary, even if going to a foreign country seems like a step forward in your career, leveraging the opportunities provided by your current workplace, it can sometimes be riskier and lead to more unpleasant outcomes than changing companies or sectors in Turkey. That’s why detailed research, planning, and preparation are crucial. If you simply view the situation as “Hooray for the European lifestyle! I’m going to a new job where I’ll earn Euros,” you may quickly become unhappy and regretful.
Last but not the least, I mean to say is that these preparations may sometimes seem boring and difficult, but when dreaming of living in a European country, you should also consider the following: In the country I’m going to, there are many other citizens of various European countries who can work without a visa or a residency permit, “since I am not an exceptionally rare found” I should make the life of the decision makers a bit easier.