How to prepare for working abroad

Contents article
Did you know that up to 60% of companies that send employees abroad without systematic preparation face increased costs, adaptation problems, and unexpected legal complications? At the same time, almost a third of applicants from Ukraine seeking job opportunities abroad encounter uncertainties regarding legal procedures or face unfair practices.

Why do so many businesses and individuals underestimate preparation for working abroad when the correct procedure can make a crucial difference between success and disappointment?

How to minimize risks and turn expansion or relocation into a competitive advantage?
From personal experience at COREDO.jobs, I know that working abroad opens new markets, brings innovation, and enables growth – but only if it’s built on solid foundations. In this article, I’ll show how to strategically prepare a company and individuals for successful operations abroad: from labor market analysis, through compliance management and HR processes, to adaptation to new work environments and digital tools. If you want to understand how to turn relocation or labor migration into long-term success, continue reading.

How to Prepare for Working Abroad?

Illustration for the section «How to Prepare for Working Abroad?» in the article «How to Prepare for Working Abroad»

Systematic preparation is key to successfully working abroad, whether it’s for company expansion or individual relocation.

From our observations at COREDO.jobs, the biggest difference between successful and unsuccessful projects lies in detailed planning, risk management, and the correct setup of mobility management.

  • Labor market analysis in the target country
  • Ensuring compliance with legislation and compliance management
  • Preparation of a relocation package and cost optimization
  • Setting processes for cross-border onboarding and adaptation
Strategic preparation for expansion abroad reduces the risk of failure, increases the ROI of employee relocation, and allows companies to respond flexibly to market changes.
A systematic approach to expansion is crucial for minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency – without thorough preparation, significant losses and missed opportunities are at risk.

Working Abroad: Current Opportunities

From COREDO.jobs practice, it is clear that a key success factor is thorough benchmarking of work benefits abroad and understanding current labor market trends. We utilize tools like EURES, international networking, and cooperation with verified labor agencies abroad.

  • Regularly monitor relevant industry platforms and marketplaces (e.g., LinkedIn, Xing)
  • Establish Contacts with expat communities and utilize references from foreign employers
  • Compare working conditions and benefits in different countries using benchmarking studies

Documents Needed for Working Abroad

Proper documentation is a fundamental requirement for legal work abroad. Experience shows that the most common complications arise due to incomplete or incorrectly filled out documents.

At COREDO.jobs, we emphasize a detailed review and preparation of all necessary materials:

  • Work visa and work permit: We provide complete administrative support, including communication with authorities.
  • Employment contract: We prepare contracts in compliance with the legal framework of the target country and ensure clarity of conditions.
  • Resume for abroad: We recommend using the European CV format (Europass) and attaching relevant references.
  • Language certification: We assist with preparation for language exams (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS), which often increase the chances of acceptance.

How to Determine Employee Relocation ROI

From our projects in the engineering and pharmaceutical industries, it is evident that the return on investment in employee relocation depends on the proper setup of HR cost transfer pricing and the effective use of the relocation package.

I recommend:

  • Transparently calculating all direct and indirect costs (accommodation, transportation, training, onboarding toolkit)
  • Evaluating the ROI of employee relocation not just by short-term costs but also by long-term impact on productivity and innovation
  • Regularly updating the relocation package according to the current needs of the company and employees

Working Abroad: How to Adapt

Illustration for the section «Working Abroad: How to Adapt» in the article «How to Prepare for Working Abroad»

COREDO.jobs experiences show that successful adaptation to a foreign labor market requires not only professional knowledge but also the ability to quickly adjust to a new environment.
  • Different working conditions abroad (e.g., length of working hours, benefit system)
  • Cultural differences in team management and communication
  • The need for expat community support and cross-cultural management

How to Overcome the Language Barrier?

The language barrier is among the most common obstacles when working abroad. COREDO.jobs practice confirms that investment in language education and digital skills for working abroad significantly increases the chances of successful acceptance and adaptation.
  • Participate in language courses focused on workplace communication (Czech, English, German)
  • Prepare for a job interview in a foreign language, including simulations of real situations
  • Obtain language certification, which is often required by employers

Cultural Adaptation during Onboarding

Effective onboarding in an international environment is essential for the quick adaptation of employees and the entire team. At COREDO.jobs, we have developed a digital onboarding toolkit that includes mentoring abroad, cross-border onboarding, and support for remote onboarding processes.

  • Onboarding should be personalized and reflect cultural differences
  • Digital tools (e.g., e-learning platforms, onboarding checklists) accelerate adaptation and increase employee satisfaction
  • Regular feedback and mentoring help overcome initial uncertainty

How to Develop Soft Skills and Leadership in the Team

In a multicultural team, both professional and soft skills are crucial – the ability to communicate, resolve conflicts, and support diversity and inclusion. Adapting leadership to foreign markets means adjusting management and motivation styles to local customs.

  • Pay attention to work-life balance abroad and support open communication
  • Create an environment where diversity is seen as a competitive advantage
  • Engage mentoring and peer-to-peer support for sharing experiences

Working Abroad: Law, Taxes, Compliance

Illustration for the section «Working Abroad: Law, Taxes, Compliance» in the article «How to Prepare for Working Abroad»

Legal employment abroad requires detailed knowledge of the legal framework for working abroad, compliance management, and differences between jurisdictions.

When Does Tax Residency and Insurance Obligations Arise?

Experts at COREDO.jobs recommend always verifying in advance where an employee’s tax residency arises and what the obligations regarding health insurance and social security are in the foreign country.

  • Proper setup of these aspects protects both the employee and employer from unexpected costs
  • It is advisable to use specialized advisors on tax issues and social security in the target country
  • Transparent communication with the candidate reduces the risk of misunderstandings

Employment Contract Abroad: What to Watch For

International employment contracts must respect the legislation of the target country while protecting the interests of both parties. Compliance management at COREDO.jobs includes:

  • Regular updates of contract templates according to legislative changes
  • Emphasis on employer branding abroad – clear presentation of values and company culture increases the company’s attractiveness to candidates
  • Obtaining references from foreign employers as part of building trust

Data Security When Working Abroad

Digitization of HR processes enables efficient remote team management and increases data security.

  • Protection of personal data and data security when working abroad
  • Regular training for employees in cybersecurity
  • Use of digital tools for monitoring and reporting team performance

How to Lead an International Team

Illustration for the section «How to Lead an International Team» in the article «How to Prepare for Working Abroad»
Scaling a team abroad requires a strategic approach to HR, cross-border onboarding, and setting up processes that maintain company culture even during rapid growth.

  • Clear communication and value sharing across teams are key
  • Remote work abroad places increased demands on motivation and performance monitoring
  • Benchmarking work benefits abroad helps attract and retain talent

Diversity Management in International Teams

Diversity and inclusion in an international team are not just ethical issues but also competitive advantages. We recommend:

  • Regularly monitoring team satisfaction and adapting benefits to local needs
  • Supporting open discussions about cultural differences and engaging expat community support

Employer Branding Abroad: How to Network and Grow

Employer branding is crucial for attracting and retaining talent. Active networking and supporting employees in further education are key.

  • Build a strong employer brand on relevant platforms
  • Allow employees to participate in international conferences and training
  • Obtain references from foreign employers as part of professional development

How to Measure the Success of Foreign Expansion

Evaluating the success of an expansion requires clearly defined metrics.

  • Success rates of onboarding processes
  • Return on investment in relocation and training
  • Impact of expansion on innovation and company growth

Common Mistakes When Preparing for Work Abroad

Illustration for the section «Common Mistakes When Preparing for Work Abroad» in the article «How to Prepare for Working Abroad»
From the practice of COREDO.jobs and our clients’ case studies, the most common mistakes include underestimating preparation, insufficient communication, and a lack of support during adaptation.

  • Timely preparation of all documents and verification of legislative compliance
  • Engaging EURES advisors and using relocation support services for smooth relocation
  • Setting up a clear onboarding process in an international environment, including digital onboarding and mentoring

Company Expansion Abroad: Experiences

For example, in engineering, we helped a client optimize relocation costs due to detailed planning and the use of expat community support. In financial services, we implemented cross-border onboarding, which reduced the adaptation period of new employees by 30%.

How to Select SEO Recommendations?

Preparation for working abroad is a complex process requiring strategic planning, a focus on compliance, and adaptability to new environments. Experiences at COREDO.jobs show that successful employee relocation and company expansion depend on detailed preparation, proper HR process setup, and a willingness to learn from practice.

I recommend utilizing available tools, expert support, and openly communicating about all aspects of working abroad. If you’re looking for specific checklists or additional resources on the topic, we’ve prepared practical materials for download on the COREDO.jobs website.

Working abroad can be a path to professional growth, innovation, and stability – if you know how to do it.