8 Ways to Move Abroad Without Starting Your Career Over

The first time I considered moving abroad, I assumed I had to give everything up—my career, my income, and everything I worked hard for. I thought international jobs were only for the ultra-privileged or the ones with a company transfer. That assumption almost kept me stuck.

But after helping dozens of clients make the move (and watching them land high-paying remote jobs, secure roles in Europe, or even get paid in USD while sipping coffee in Portugal), I know that belief is just noise. The kind that keeps smart women playing small.

So let’s break this down. If you're dreaming of leaving the U.S. but refuse to start your career from scratch, these are the exact strategies I teach inside my global job search coaching. No theory. Just what actually works.

Why Most People Think You Have to Start Over

I get this question all the time. "Will I have to take an entry-level job if I move abroad?"

The short answer is no. But most people assume international careers mean starting from zero because they don’t see people like them doing it. They’re following outdated advice or only seeing expats who relocated through corporate transfers or academic programs.

That’s not the only path. In fact, it’s not even the most accessible one anymore.

What Actually Matters to Global Employers

It’s not about how long you’ve been in your role. Or whether you studied international relations.

Global employers care about outcomes. They care if you can lead a team remotely, communicate clearly, adapt to different workflows, and solve problems across time zones. If you can show that—on your resume, LinkedIn, and in interviews—you’re already ahead of the competition.

You don’t need to know everything about international work to get started. You just need a clear story, solid skills, and a strategy. Which brings me to the top 8 strategies that have helped my clients move abroad. 

1. Start With the Role, Not the Country

I know it's tempting to say: "I want to live in Spain." Cool. But what job are you taking with you?

Too many people start with the country and end up stuck searching for jobs that don't align with their experience. Start with your career strengths first. Then, target countries where your role is in demand, or remote-first companies hiring in your time zone.

One of my clients was set on moving to Amsterdam. She was applying to any open role, even if it meant starting over in admin. We shifted her approach. She focused on her operations background, updated her resume with a global-friendly format, and landed a role in logistics strategy. Same skills. Bigger paycheck. And yes, she still moved to Amsterdam.

2. Learn How to Sell Your Transferable Skills Internationally

Recruiters abroad don’t know what a "Coordinator III" at XYZ Company means. They don’t care about your exact title. They care if you can solve the problems they’re hiring for.

You need to reframe your experience using language that crosses borders. Skip the internal lingo. Focus on outcomes. What did you lead? Fix? Save? Grow?

I had a client in healthcare program management pivot into a remote role at a European health tech startup. We changed her job descriptions to show impact: reduced onboarding time by 40%, created systems that improved patient reporting. That’s what got her noticed.

3. Skip the Job Boards and Get Strategic With Outreach

Here's a hard truth: job boards abroad are just as oversaturated as in the U.S.

Sending 100 applications to companies in Berlin won't cut it. You need to be intentional. Use LinkedIn to search for hiring managers in your industry. Message them directly. Join expat and professional Slack communities. Follow international recruiters. Build real connections before you ask for a role.

One of my clients landed a marketing lead role in Germany after a single cold message to a founder. The catch? She didn’t ask for a job. She asked about the company’s expansion strategy. They were so impressed, they interviewed her the next week.

4. Position Yourself as Remote-Ready or Already Working Remotely

Even if you’re not remote yet, you can still act like it.

Update your resume and LinkedIn to show time zone flexibility, async collaboration tools (Slack, Notion, Loom), and global communication experience. Show them you're already operating in a distributed mindset.

I always remind clients: your next job doesn't have to be in the country you’re moving to. It just has to be location-flexible. Once you land it, you can take that job anywhere.

5. Use Global-Friendly Resume Formats

This one matters more than people realize.

International employers expect clean, results-based resumes—not the 2-page bullet list of tasks we were taught to write. Remove your full address. Keep it clean. Include metrics. Ditch buzzwords. And tailor it to the country’s norms. (Example: no headshot for U.S. companies, but sometimes expected in Germany.)

I had a client applying to jobs in France who wasn't hearing back. We changed her resume to reflect local expectations and added a professional summary in both English and French. She had two interviews the following week.

6. Don’t Wait for a Visa to Start Applying

Too many people pause their job search until they "figure out the visa thing."

No.

Start applying while you research your visa options. In some cases, companies sponsor. In others, you can apply for digital nomad or skilled worker visas. But don't wait. Let interest and interviews guide your paperwork. Visa questions can be handled when there's actually an offer on the table.

Several of my clients landed interviews before figuring out visa logistics. Some ended up negotiating sponsorships they didn’t even know were possible. One got a Portuguese startup visa after landing a job that didn’t even advertise it.

7. Know Your Value. Don’t Underprice Yourself Just to Get In

Here’s what I see a lot: U.S.-based professionals assuming they need to cut their salary expectations in half just to land something abroad.

Stop doing that.

Global employers aren’t always looking for the cheapest hire. They want someone who adds value. Yes, cost of living may vary, but don’t default to undercharging. Research salary benchmarks. Be confident in what you bring to the table.

One of my coaching clients negotiated a 6-figure remote offer with a company based in the UK. She gets paid in USD. Lives in Mexico. And works 30 hours a week.

8. Work With a Global Career Coach

You can Google advice for days. But personalized support will move you faster.

A global career coach will help you avoid wasting time on job boards that won’t get you results. We’ll tighten up your resume, position your LinkedIn for international recruiters, and map out a strategy based on where you want to go—without sacrificing income or confidence.

I’ve worked with women who thought it would take 12 months to land a role abroad. Some got interviews in 2 weeks. Others negotiated remote offers that gave them full freedom to move wherever they wanted.

So if you’re done winging it, and you’re ready to get serious? This is your sign.

Let’s get you out of the research phase and into your next chapter.

FAQs: Move Abroad Without Starting Your Career Over

Do I need to speak another language to work abroad?

No. Many international companies operate in English, especially in tech, marketing, and operations. Language is a bonus, not always a requirement.

What if my role doesn’t exist in other countries?

Reframe your experience into global language. Many roles overlap even if the titles differ. Focus on functions and impact, not labels.

How long does it take to land a job abroad?

It varies, but my clients typically start seeing traction within 30 to 60 days once their strategy is in place.

Is remote work a better option than relocation?

Not better, just different. Remote work gives you more flexibility, but relocation can offer deeper immersion and growth. It depends on your lifestyle goals.

About Global Career Coach

Hi, I’m Erica Rivera, career coach and founder of Career Coaching Diva. I know what it’s like to face a tech layoff—I lived it. When I lost my job at Google, I refused to let it define me. Instead, I took control, pivoted strategically, and built a career on my terms.

Now, through Career Coaching Diva, I help professionals do the same—because you don’t have to start over. You just need the right strategy.

Let’s map out your next career move. Book a Career Discovery Call today

Final Thoughts

If moving abroad has been sitting in the back of your mind for months (or let’s be real, years), let this be the reminder you need: you don’t have to sacrifice your career to start a new chapter somewhere else. You don’t have to settle for a lower paycheck or a lower title just to get your foot in the door.

What you need is a plan.

These strategies aren’t fluff. They’ve helped real women land real roles across the globe—without burning out or selling themselves short. And they can work for you too.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building your international life, I’m here for that.

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty questions.