Are you thinking of making a career move overseas? Well, we’re glad you’re here! In the excitement of making a move, crucial factors will be overlooked at the detriment of making the most of your overseas experience. We’ve created a list of important things to consider to ensure you’re prepared for what’s to come:
Experience under your belt in your chosen practice area
Making a move overseas will come down to which practice area you work in. If you are a graduate and you know you would like to spend time working overseas in the future, this is something you really need to consider when choosing which area you want to specialise in. For example, transactional practice areas such as banking, finance and corporate are seen to be quite a straightforward process when making a move overseas as opposed to tax or employment.
Understand your career goals i.e. work-life balance
Different jurisdictions can bring longer, more demanding working hours, other jurisdictions can bring you sustainable working hours living by the beach. Are you an outdoors person or do you like the big city life? New York is an incredible city with endless opportunities however so is Dubai and the Cayman Islands however each are very different to live in. Understand what motivates you and which cities you can see yourself living in.
Make sure you have done your research on the chosen jurisdiction – where can your qualifications take you?
DO YOUR RESEARCH!! There is a lot of online guides that you can read through, at Sonder Consultants we update our salary and market guides each year for all of the major overseas markets, make sure you have signed up to our newsletter or speak to a consultant to receive your copy. If you are a common law qualified lawyer make sure you are across what is required to qualify in your chosen jurisdictions, as an example, most New York firms will require you to sit the New York bar before or after you commence employment – is this something you are prepared to commit to?
Get your name on big deals under big dealmakers
If you are an M&A or Private Equity lawyer ensure you are getting yourself involved on the big value deals under reputable dealmakers for major clients. Put your hand up for cross border transactional work and immerse yourself in as much of the deal as possible. Highlighting these deals in your CV and being able to talk through your involvement at an interview stage could be the differentiating factor between you and another candidate
Speak to a consultant with experience
It is never too early to speak to a consultant to obtain more information on making a move overseas – even if you are commencing your training contract / graduate programme. Our team at Sonder Consultants has extensive experience in placing lawyers in the major jurisdictions at all levels. With offices in Sydney and London are team are on hand to educate and advise you on the process for making a move to your chosen jurisdiction.
Sonder Consultants are a boutique legal recruitment firm specialising in both in-house and private practice, and have opportunities in domestic and international markets. For more information on career advice or opportunities in your respective field. Contact Kevin for a confidential discussion on: email kevin.sinnott@sonderconsultants.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.”
– George Bernard Shaw
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