[Working Abroad] #10 Four Application Routes I Actually Used for Working Abroad

In the previous article, I wrote about comparing large companies and startups.

In the articles up to this point, I have introduced how to read job postings for overseas tech companies, how to interpret a company's status from those postings, and how to think about choosing where to apply.

This time, as the next step, I will introduce the actual methods I used to apply to companies, the application channels I utilized, and the characteristics of each.

LinkedIn is a "place to find companies" rather than an "application site"

When thinking about working abroad, I think LinkedIn is one of the first services people use. I also used LinkedIn frequently during my overseas job search.

However, for me, LinkedIn was more of a tool for finding companies and job openings than a site for applying directly.

Because you can narrow down conditions by location, job type, and years of experience, you can efficiently search for job openings that seem to fit you. When I found a company I was interested in, I would add it to a list and apply after researching the company and the position.

LinkedIn also has a feature called "Easy Apply" that allows you to apply easily using your profile or CV. While it is convenient to be able to apply with a single button, in my case, I never received a reply even after applying to dozens of companies.

Job postings for well-known companies can sometimes receive hundreds of applications shortly after being published. It is hard to believe that all of them are checked one by one in the same way, and I felt that with Easy Apply alone, there was a high possibility of being buried among other applicants.

Of course, circumstances vary depending on the company and the job opening. Even so, I did not proceed with my job search relying solely on Easy Apply.

If you want to lead to a screening process via LinkedIn, I think it is more effective to find the recruiter who posted the job and send them a direct message rather than just clicking Easy Apply and finishing.

It might feel a bit pushy, but if there is no reply, that is that. If you apply and nothing happens, you have little to lose by contacting them directly.

Applying directly from the company website

The method I used most often was applying directly from the company's careers page.

Even if I found a job opening on LinkedIn, I would not apply on the spot, but instead go to the company's careers page to check if the same position was listed. If it was, I would basically apply from the company website.

This also does not guarantee a high probability of receiving a reply.

Even so, in my case, while I never received a reply through LinkedIn's Easy Apply, I did actually advance to the screening process for jobs I applied to directly from company websites.

I cannot go so far as to say that applying from a company website is always advantageous. I think that whether you apply from LinkedIn or from a company website, they may end up being registered in the same applicant tracking system.

Even so, if I could choose the application method, I chose to apply directly from the company website. At the very least, in my experience, this felt like it had more potential.

Sometimes recruiters will contact you

When job hunting abroad, you don't just apply yourself; sometimes you will receive messages directly from recruiters.

Recruiters search for candidates on LinkedIn based on factors like location, work history, skills, and current employer.

Because of this, people who already work at well-known companies or international tech firms, or who live in the country or region where the job opening is, are more likely to be contacted.

When I was looking for my first job, I received messages from two recruiters. I proceeded with interviews for both companies simultaneously and eventually received job offers from both.

Even after I started working, I have continued to receive messages from recruiters. Some of these have been from globally recognized tech companies.

Of course, just because you are contacted does not guarantee you will pass the selection process, but I can say for certain that it is a path that makes it easier to advance to the selection stage than applying yourself and waiting for a reply.

In international job hunting, it is important not only to "apply yourself" but also to "be found by companies."

Referrals are also an effective option

Another method often used in international job hunting is the referral.

A referral is a method where you are introduced by an employee working at that company and then apply.

I myself did not actively use referrals when I was job hunting at the time.

However, now that I am in a position where I am asked for referrals, I sometimes receive requests for introductions through LinkedIn.

Many companies have a system where, if the person referred is hired, the employee who made the referral is paid an incentive. Therefore, even if you don't know the person well, there are people who will cooperate after looking at your profile and background.

Of course, if you suddenly ask a stranger for a referral, they won't necessarily agree. This is because the employee is using their own name to refer a candidate, so they cannot just refer anyone unconditionally.

Even so, if you have an acquaintance at the company you are applying to, or if you can make contact with an employee who has a similar background to yours, I think it is an effective option.

Prepare to be found, not just to apply

In international job hunting, "which route you use to make contact with a company" is just as important as "which company you apply to."

In my case, I searched for job openings on LinkedIn, put companies I was interested in on a list, and applied directly from the company websites. In parallel with that, I also polished my LinkedIn profile so that recruiters could find me.

As a result, while there were times I advanced to the selection process by applying from company websites, what actually led to my first job was a message from a recruiter.

Based on this experience, I learned that when job hunting abroad, it is important not only to increase the number of applications but also to ensure that you are in a position where companies and recruiters can find you.

Next time, I would like to write about why LinkedIn is so important for job hunting abroad, and which parts of your profile you should optimize to get noticed by recruiters.