Expatriate spouse: How to build your own career plan?
Expatriate Spouse This is it, your spouse has just been offered the overseas assignment you've been waiting for! This is the start of an adventure, for him and for you, and it is about identifying the avenues available to you to make the most of this change of life and build your own project.
Being able to work on site
The main difficulty that hinders the work of spouses abroad is obtaining a work permit. In fact, in many countries there are restrictions on the employment of foreigners, which often means for the spouse the impossibility of pursuing his career under the same conditions as in his country of origin.
If the prospect of staying at home doesn't appeal to you, if you want to continue building your professional career, there are tremendous international opportunities.
Consider a career change
Without a work permit, you can work as a freelance or self-employed person in many countries. This requires respecting the country's legislation of course, but this will allow you to set up your business and create your own job, a very rewarding opportunity.
Think about the skills brought by your previous jobs, your qualifications, your past experiences. Can you do something with it in your new country? Maybe you have a passion that could be turned into an activity?
See your experience abroad as an opportunity to build your own network, a solid foundation on which to build - and not just a parenthesis.
Train abroad
Are you tempted by some studies and never had the time to do them? This may be the perfect opportunity! Obtaining a study visa will allow you to follow training. In addition to local training, do not forget about distance programs or e-learning. According to your CV, if there is an area where you could train or improve your skills, go for it!
This could be, for example, the time to improve your language skills (which you can use on your return), to obtain a diploma, or to train yourself to speak in public.
Do not neglect the possible support offered by your spouse's company. Some thus provide financial assistance to the spouse who wishes to train during the couple's expatriation.
In addition, such training in accordance with your skills could be the opportunity to provide expertise sought on site. Who knows, maybe it is just by training yourself that you could get a local job.
Volunteering
Volunteer work experience in your host country could help fill any gaps in your professional as well as personal skills. Especially since the experience can be not only rewarding but also useful! It can also allow you to make sense of his expatriation, other than following his spouse.
Share your experience
Don't stay closed in on yourself! This expatriation and the challenges that arise in your career can be useful to other expatriate spouses in the same situation as you. Share what you will learn with others. It can take the form of a blog, a support group, a forum, or even a book.
Make contacts and reach out to the local expat community. Finding support from people in the same situation does a lot of good!
Think about your retirement and your social protection
You are going to leave France and your work there. Your social coverage will change. You may wish to continue to contribute for retirement, so as not to interrupt your rights. This is possible by contributing to the fund for French people living abroad (CFE), the "Sécu" outside France. And for your health coverage to be complete, additional expatriate insurance will offer you coverage at a level equivalent to that which you benefit from in France.
Take a break
This stay abroad, if it is limited in time, can also be an opportunity to take a well-deserved break. Have time to devote to a passion, a subject, or simply immerse yourself in your new culture. The adventure before you is unique, do everything to make the most of it!
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