Making any career move is an important decision, one that is only intensified by the possibility of relocation.
We have reached out to a number of the individuals that we have assisted over the years who have successfully made a career move overseas.
We spoke to Hugh who we assisted make a move from the Caribbean to a Top 10 Accountancy Practice in the Channel Islands.
Overview
Position before moving: Insolvency Assistant Manager
Company before moving: Specialist Insolvency Firm
Location to and from: Moved from the Caribbean to the Channel Islands
Experience Background: ACA Qualified Accountant with over 3 1/2 years of insolvency experience in Ireland and the Caribbean.
Role Secured: Insolvency Manager with a Top 10 Accountancy Practice
- Why did you first consider making a move overseas? I had previously worked in the Caribbean, following which I moved to the Channel Islands. Due to the nature of the work I had previously specialised in the move made sense. I had heard nothing but good things about the Channel Islands. The location allows me to continue specialising in offshore work whilst being slightly closer to home.
- What locations were you interested in and why? I was initially offered a job in Hong Kong, again this was due to the nature of the work. I was also interested in the Channel Islands for the same reason.
- What were your personal circumstances at the time of the move – single/married/homeowner. I was single.
- How did you find out about opportunities and start to apply for roles? I had heard Levitate Recruitment were the best at what they do in sourcing tailor-made roles for applicants. Therefore I reached out to Scott at Levitate Recruitment and discovered a number of options that suited my requirements.
- What useful information was provided to you by the recruiter? I was provided with a number of differing options that allowed me to have a better understanding of the variance in roles within the jurisdiction. Levitate Recruitment also provided me with a market overview in the Channel Islands, enabling me to form a more definitive opinion on my choice alongside managing expectations regarding salary and position.
- How did the interview process work? Due to being in the Caribbean the interview process was all done over Skype.
- How long did it take to secure a Visa or work permit and what was required from you? The process was very quick, my new firm did the majority of the leg work prior to my arrival. It took no longer than two months.
- Please can you walk us through your first 3 months in the new location/job and how you managed to settle into your new life? Due to how busy my firm is at the moment I have had to hit the ground running, this suited me perfectly as I prefer to jump straight in. I had moved previously to the Caribbean so was prepared for the period of upset and readjustment. The key piece of advice I can give to anyone who is considering a move is to say yes to all social events when you arrive in a new jurisdiction.
- How do you feel it benefitted your personal development? I feel that it has benefited me greatly, it widens your social circle whilst also motivating you to push yourself beyond your comfort zone constantly. The juice was very much worth the squeeze.
- How do you feel an international move benefitted you professionally? I can safely say moving abroad has benefitted my career hugely, I have been exposed to a huge array of cases that would never have been possible had I stayed in the UK or in an onshore jurisdiction.
- How long was the process from you speaking with Levitate to you actually making the move? Levitate were fantastic at pushing matters forward for me, I initially reached out in March and made the move in June.
- What value do you think working with Levitate had for you securing an opportunity overseas? Levitate are renowned for their professionalism and expertise in the offshore market, therefore they had access and points of contact in the larger firms that would not have been possible otherwise with other recruiters.
- What was the hardest part of making an international move? The hardest part is always moving away from a pre-existing friend group and comfort in a current role. However, once you start thinking about making such a move internationally the positives always outweigh the negatives.
- What advice would you offer someone thinking of making a move overseas? Consider why you truly want to make the move, it should not just be for something different, it should tick the boxes personally and professionally. I am incredibly pedantic, so I make lists. Make a list of the positives and the negatives of moving and this will answer the question for you.
There is currently a soaring global demand for qualified accountants and insolvency professionals. With our extensive network of relationships with large international accounting firms and insolvency specialists, Levitate Recruitment are well-versed in placing talented professionals in overseas roles.
If you are interested in making your career a journey and are considering a move overseas, do not hesitate to contact us.
