Making a success of an overseas work stint

Setting up bank accounts, networking and respecting local cultures are important

- BNB Diviyadhaarshini

Getting international work exposure is often touted as a sure way to advance in one's career, and it seems the majority of Singapore workers are open to the idea.

A recent survey by jobs portal Jobstreet by Seek found that nearly two in three Singapore employees were willing to relocate for work.

The preferred length of time for the overseas stints was one to three years, while the most popular destination was Australia, according to the survey conducted late in 2023 and published in May 2024.

Invest asked four Singaporeans who have made the move abroad for their top tips on how to have a successful overseas work experience.

SET UP YOUR FINANCES BEFORE YOU MOVE

"The most important thing when moving to a new country is to set up the ability to access the local currency," said Mr Anwar Abdulhaqq, who works in financial tech.

Mr Anwar, who started working in London in 2016, said this could take many forms, from opening a bank account to transferring money and cryptocurrencies from Singapore.

Mobile applications like Wise enable you to hold multiple currencies, and allow for instant approval of your account via Singpass, added the 36-year-old.

"This means you can open a bank account and get details such as account numbers and sort codes long before you leave your home country," he said.

"You can also transfer bitcoins you have purchased back home to a foreign country instantly," he added.

These can be used on sites such as Bitrefill to purchase local gift cards and vouchers from a range of merchants, including supermarkets, telecommunication companies and e-commerce sites like Amazon, he said.

Ms Cheryl Dee, who completed a one-year internship in San Francisco starting from August 2022, recommended shoring up one's savings in case of medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.