Hello everybody!
I already posted this in AskEngineers, but that was probably not really the best place to ask or bring it up, so I bring it up again.
I have a couple of general questions regarding working as an engineer in other countries. I realize that every country hast its own system of regulating engineering jobs and handling foreigners, but I hope I can get a few examples or just some guidelines to follow or consider. Like how would I start, do I first try to get a job and then start worrying about the rest or should I first pick a country and make sure I meet the criteria for a work permit and have the necessary paperwork ready, before even considering applying for a job there? I found some similar questions, but most of them are related to the US, but I’m asking for a more general approach on the subject. I don’t really care where I end up, as long as the potential job sounds fun and something I would like to do for a long time, most likely that would be a position in R&D or product testing, but who knows what positions are out there and who even wants me, but that’s a topic for another day. English as a first language would be nice, but I’m not in a rush and willing to learn. If I had to choose, I think I would go to Canada, but that’s not really important.
A little bit about myself, just to let you know it’s not just a wild dream but I’m willing to work and learn, so your time replying isn’t wasted. I’m from Germany, currently work in the R&D department of a medium sized company (~250 people, 5 in R&D), have professional training as a draftsman and a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, which I did in part time, so in total I have about 7 years of experience in product development, plastic part design and other related things like product testing, documentation, patent research and others. I have driver’s licenses for almost everything (car, motorcycle, truck, forklift), am fluent in German, English and know the basics of Dutch. I don’t want to give you a resume, just a general overview, so I’ll stop here ;) I just finished my degree and because my company paid for it, I’ll have to pay them back if I leave in the next three years, so I don’t plan on leaving before next summer and the amount has gone down a bit.
I hope some of you are willing to share their experiences going to another country to work or can tell from a company’s point of view, what a foreign applicant should have done before applying or if you/they don’t care and are willing to help get a visa etc. if necessary and if they even would consider a candidate from the other side of the world for a position in their local team.
tl:dr: german engineer (26) with 7 years experience in product development wants to work in another country and asks for your story or some insights from a company’s point of view, regarding candidates from around the world