Relocation is very exciting, a little nerve-wracking, a little overwhelming, but also expensive too. There is a lot to consider before you make such a huge commitment. So, where should you start?
Where is your ideal location and why?
Before you make the commitment to move to a country, you need to start by thinking about what countries you would like to move to. Try to keep this list as small as possible. When you have narrowed your choices down to a few locations, now is the time to research.
This new country will be your new home at least for a couple of years, so it’s important to find out everything you can about your potential choices.
Here are some questions to get you started:
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Explore the lifestyle in the country
How is it similar to where you are? How is it different?
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Cost of living
How much is the accommodation? How long is the commute and how much does this cost? How much is it to buy food or go out for meals? How much do the other things you usually enjoy in your daily life cost?
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What you need to practice in that country
Do your research to understand the process and give yourself enough time to prepare for anything you will need to complete. I would recommend looking for someone that has been through this before and can share some guidance with you about the process.
In some countries, the chiropractic profession is very strictly regulated, and you will need to pass an exam to be able to practice there as a Chiropractor. You might think this is another barrier that’s in the way but trust me when I say that obtaining your degree was a much higher mountain to climb and you did it.
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What do you know about the organisation?
Getting a job offer is very exciting, but before you accept it, think about how well you know the company that you’ll be joining. Most likely, they will say their business is very successful, but how can you verify this?
- Think about how long their business has been established and how much they’ve grown.
- How many employees do they have?
- How long have they been there?
- What are the company’s core values?
- Does it match the employee/customer feedback online?
Ask them to set up an informal Zoom call with one of their employees, ideally someone who has relocated there too.
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What does the offer include?
Will they support you with relocation? What will be your pay? Is it clearly outlined in the contract? Is it compatible in comparison to the average pay for this role in that country?
If you have the opportunity, always try to visit the country you are planning to relocate to and the clinic you are planning to join. Yes, it is an extra expense, but this will be far less than moving and realising that it isn’t right for you.
- Vaida Baker, Head of Recruitment
