How to Get a Job Abroad From Nigeria

According to the United Nations, more than 232 million people in the world have relocated to another country for the sake of gainful employment or better living conditions. Despite the difficulties of immigration, work experience abroad is a great opportunity to raise your qualifications in a foreign language and develop your communication, discipline, and problem-solving skills. Such a candidate is subsequently worth their weight in gold in the labor market, regardless of country.

Before you start a job search abroad from Nigeria, remember that it should be your well-argued decision and conscious choice. This will help you to avoid hasty disappointment and prepare you for an intensive professional path away from your native land. To support you, we will discuss the best foreign countries, careers, and tips to help you make the right choice and find work abroad.

Countries with a lack of a skilled workforce

Working abroad is a loose concept. Some specialists consider only the near abroad for relocation while others are ready to move to the other end of the world for their career goals. In any case, the global trend helps to identify the most attractive countries for realizing professional potential. We have selected valuable insights about each of them to simplify your task and help you make a decision.

USA

America remains the permanent leader among countries attracting workers from around the world. And there are some good reasons for this:

1. The US dollar is the best currency for profit for many professions.
2. American companies are acknowledged market leaders in various industries.
3. Foreign citizens get favorable working conditions, including competitive wages and social packages.

Despite the apparent benefits, US employers are still facing a shortage of skilled labor. According to the Department of Labor, there are 7.6 million unfulfilled jobs in the USA, while only 6.5 million people are actively looking for work. This statistical difference provides you with up-close opportunities to get a job abroad from Nigeria. The main thing is to research industries where your qualifications may come in handy.

If you are a college graduate, you will have access to more than a million available jobs covering:

• Business
• IT
• Legal
• Engineering
• Healthcare

If you do not have a degree, try your hand at:

• Retail
• Hospitality
• Food & Beverage

Each fiscal year the US allows 140,000 immigrants to obtain a work visa. If you want to get a job in the USA from Nigeria, do not postpone your visa application indefinitely and start to prepare the necessary package of documents. To play it safe, use only official channels for immigrants and pay special attention to any changes in US law. Your awareness significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to fraud.

Canada

Canada is a friendly country for legal immigrants with educational and professional goals. Canadian employers quickly adopt the best practices of the labor market and offer job seekers a variety of employment and collaboration options. However, according to a study by the Business Development Bank of Canada, 53% of small and medium-sized enterprises intend to reduce their business investment due to labor shortages. It proves that supply far exceeds demand. You can become the very person who equalizes these indicators. A work permit in Canada is available only with a preliminary job offer from a specific company. To start with, let’s check top posts that require qualified personnel the most.

1. Nurse
2. Dentist
3. Pharmacist
4. Audiologist
5. Software Engineer and designer

As you can see, the healthcare and information technology sectors are most affected by a lack of specialists. Therefore, your degree, qualifications, and self-confidence can turn you into a competitive candidate. In exchange for your skills, Canada offers you the following benefits:

1. Low cost of living compared to other developed countries. It applies to housing, gas, food, and cars.
2. Low crime rate that makes Canada a safe place to live.
3. The diversity of nationalities. According to the Statista portal, more than 313,000 immigrants arrived in Canada in 2019, 12,000 of which are Nigerians. The growing number of immigrants has forced Canadian employers to revise their corporate policies and provide jobs for every culture.

United Kingdom

According to a survey by the Business Barometer, 91% of organizations in the UK experienced a shortage of qualified employees. 57% of the vacancies were suspended indefinitely due to a lack of worthy candidates. The primary industries in need of filling the gap in personnel are:

1. Engineering - A particular shortage of valuable talent is observed in sectors such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
2. Healthcare - The industry is in dire need of nurses, medical practitioners, medical radiographers, and dental technicians.
3. Art - You can find plenty of open jobs for musicians, dancers, producers, and graphic designers.
4. IT - Your qualifications as a software developer, system engineer, or shader writer will come in handy.

To unlock your potential in the UK labor market, you need a visa and work permit. You can apply for a visa at a British Overseas Mission or British Embassy in your country. A work permit, in turn, is only granted if your employer has applied for it on your behalf. But the end justifies the means. After all, moving to the UK is accompanied by three main advantages:

1. Immersion in a thousand-year history and culture
2. Access to the National Health Service and free healthcare for each legal resident
3. 28 paid days off each year that will allow you to explore a new countries or visit your homeland

Australia

A Talent Shortage study by ManpowerGroup found that 34% of employers cannot fill vacancies with qualified employees. The problem of staff shortages is acute for different industries. Australia is interested in an even distribution of personnel. Therefore, it establishes an annual occupational ceiling for various fields. In other words, the industry does not accept more labor than set by the government. Despite the limitations, this situation has advantages for you. You can join the Australian Skilled Migration program and monitor the lists of professions that are open to migrants right now. PSS International Removals revealed the leading industries in need of labor in 2019-2020:

1. Healthcare - The industry has grown significantly over the past five years and needs nurses, disabled and aged care providers, and personal care workers.
2. IT - Specialists such as UI / UE designers, software engineers, and developers are most in demand.
3. Construction - Employers often look for electricians, carpenters, plumbers, or joiners.
4. Education - The leader in the list of professions is a secondary school teacher for the regional parts of the country.

United Arab Emirates

In 2020, the UAE reformed the visa process and now enables foreigners to live in the country for up to 10 years. The goal of the government is to join valuable talent and investors for economic development and technological growth.

Dubai, as a business center of the country, has always attracted labor from all over the world with tax-free income, a safe environment, and unlimited career opportunities. Given the new policy of promoting unique knowledge and qualifications, the flow of immigrants will increase much more. However, if you want to get a job in Dubai from Nigeria, be ready to prove the value of your skills to the country. Fortunately, the UAE offers a wide range of professions available to immigrants, increasing your chances of occupying a position that meets your qualifications including:

1. Software developer
2. Graphic designer
3. Architect
4. Engineer
5. Marketing specialist
6. Social media specialist
7. Sales Representative
8. Customer Service Professional
9. Food and Beverages Manager
10. Real estate consultant
11. Nurse
12. Dentist

Qatar

The discovery of natural gas sources caused economic growth in Qatar and increased the demand for qualified and low-skilled labor. It necessitated the need to attract foreign specialists. To get a job in Qatar from Nigeria, you will have to gain the support of a Qatar citizen as your sponsor and employer. They apply for a visa for you as a future worker. During your job search, avoid agencies or individuals who guarantee to speed up the employment process. Often these are scammers who want to get your money or personal data. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you contact the potential employer directly through proven resources like:

1. gulftalent.com
2. careerjet.com
3. qanaukrigulf.com

The Qatar labor market is teeming with offers for workers. These websites will help you monitor available vacancies and check information about the company and the employer.

What about experience and education level?

The importance of education depends on your career goals abroad. Some professions accept applicants with a high school diploma, while others require no less than a master's degree in the relevant field. Be prepared for your education level to be a determining factor in your salary, as an amateur will not earn the same as a specialist. To avoid misunderstandings and disappointments, study the educational requirements for the chosen profession. Often they are similar in many countries. If your theoretical background does not correspond to the position, focus on training before applying for a job. If you want to move to another country as soon as possible, consider vacancies with low education requirements.

Requirements for work experience may vary by position and employer. Undoubtedly, if you are a recent graduate, you should not aim for a leadership position. It will significantly complicate your job search. But in other cases, your employment will depend on your ability to present your qualifications and compensate for the lack of experience with valuable skills. It is another reason to contact the employer directly, as any compromise can only be reached through negotiations.

Update your resume and cover letter per countries standards

The employer applies for a visa on behalf of the employee and takes an active part in their relocation. Therefore your future performance and effectiveness should justify their expectations and efforts. To gain a credit of trust, pay special attention to your application documents. There are several standard tricks to help you succeed, regardless of the country.

Resume. The length of the resume varies from one page in the United States to two pages in the United Kingdom to 4 pages in Australia. However, when compiling it, focus on the content and not the volume of the text. The main components of your resume are work history, education, and skills. Make sure that each item is valuable for the chosen profession. Choose positions that prove your competence in the industry and skills that will contribute to your successful execution in the new role.
Cover Letter. The cover letter does not have a single generally accepted structure. This allows you to fill it with any information that proves you as a worthy candidate. In your case, focus on the following points:

• Briefly describe the reasons for immigration
• Mention the reasons for choosing a company
• Tell about your qualifications for the desired position
• Emphasize your personal qualities that will help you fit into the corporate environment
• Indicate your short or long-term goals in the company
• Outline your professional mission
• Explain how you can contribute to the common cause.

Risks

Immigration includes not only career opportunities but also pitfalls that can tarnish your work experience abroad. To prepare for reality, keep in mind the principal risks and ways to minimize them.

1. The laws of a new country can differ significantly from the laws of your native land. As you know, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Therefore it becomes a trap for many immigrants as any violations can destroy the career at the very start. To avoid it, carefully study the local laws including any amendments and recent changes.
2. Relocation and climate change always put stress on the immune system, which can provoke diseases. Besides, unfamiliar terrain increases the risk of accidents. Therefore, take care of your health in advance and get international health insurance.
3. Loneliness in a foreign country often leads to depression of migrants who are far from family and their usual social circle. To make your move seamless, explore local communities, forums, or groups for immigrants. It will be both your source of valuable insights and a way to establish networking in a new country.

Wrap up

Every year, many specialists leave their homeland to build a career abroad. Each has individual motives and goals. But the fear of change and suspense unites all immigrants. To overcome it, think about your ultimate goal and imagine it down to the smallest detail. Thus, you will understand that intermediate difficulties are a modest price for your promising future. Relocation is always a responsible and challenging step that requires not only courage but also careful planning. This guide is designed to simplify your decision-making process and help put you on the right path. But your success will depend on your perseverance and motivation. Remember, if your work is your vocation, the borders between countries will never become an obstacle for you.