Work - Expat Magazine
The European Union's Pay Transparency Directive, passed on April 24, 2023, introduces strict new rules to tackle gender pay inequality. Employers must now make salary information public and close any unjustified gender pay gap above 5%.
United Arab Emirates
Attracting top talent from around the world is no longer enough. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has learned that to stay ahead and keep its global edge, it needs to do more than lure professionals with high salaries and career prospects. The real test now lies in getting them to stay. Retaining talent means offering something more profound—a sense of purpose, recognition, and belonging. That's the new challenge shaping the UAE's future.
The reality of building a career abroad doesn't always match what's promised on paper. For some expats, frustration grows as they face unfair treatment and don't know where to turn. When your working conditions don't reflect your contract, how do you tell if it's abuse, and who can you ask for help?
Starting a business with your partner sounds like a dream, Palm trees, shared goals, flexible schedules, maybe even long lunches in the sun. But here's the truth: building a business and maintaining a healthy relationship takes intention, grit, especially when you add the stresses of doing it in a new country. I have done it with my husband—and we're still talking to each other!
Is the creative CV a thing of the past? Employers often say they're searching for “atypical profiles.” Recruiters emphasize the importance of highlighting soft skills and tailoring resumes to be personalized as key ways to stand out in today's highly competitive global job market. But with artificial intelligence reshaping recruitment, has the game changed? And how can expats, or those planning to move abroad, adapt their resumes to get past AI screening systems?
In uncertain economic times, the notion of “working more to earn more” tends to resurface. But does it truly reflect today's global labor market? Are we seeing longer hours, shorter weeks, or entirely new ways of organizing work? For expats, the reality varies widely depending on their destination. From 13-hour days in Greece to the growing popularity of four-day weeks in Iceland and the Netherlands, working cultures worldwide are pulling in very different directions. Here's what expats should know.
Finland
Will countries ever escape the cycle of labor shortages? It's a question that continues to haunt nations struggling with workforce gaps. Waves of retirement and falling birth rates are draining the labor pool, leaving governments once again turning to foreign talent. But attracting expatriate families is no easy task. Finland, however, is experimenting with a new approach to win them over.
Working abroad is often viewed as a privilege, a career-defining opportunity. The expat is seen as the adaptable, globally minded professional. Yet behind this polished image lies a more complex reality: a silent, internal pressure that can slowly erode mental health, often without being noticed. Preventing this begins with recognizing its presence, then finding healthy ways to manage it.
When will brighter days finally come? Today's uncertainties are weighing down the global job market. Geopolitical conflicts are pushing the world into unfamiliar and unsettling territory, while political instability is spreading to countries once considered safe. In short, nothing is certain. And when nothing is certain, relocation plans come into question. Potential expats are now doing the math. Should they quit or cling to a job they dislike? Should they retrain or stay within the same field? These dilemmas highlight the shifting trends shaping the international labor market.
A large share of the world is grappling with the same issues. Populations are aging. Birth rates are falling. Lawmakers are pushing back the retirement age. Older workers are staying in the labor force longer because there aren't enough new entrants to replace them. Labor shortages are shaving points off economic growth. What do these upheavals mean for the international job market? What answers are governments putting forward?
Being unwell in another country can quickly become expensive. So, how do the type of employment contract and your health coverage determine your protection abroad? What exactly should you do if you need sick leave?
On May 27, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially defined burnout as a “syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Since then, governments have been trying—with varying degrees of success—to improve how they respond. What does this mean for foreign workers? And what kind of care can those suffering from burnout expect?
It might sound like a lighthearted subject—even a little comical. However, research indicates that this fundamental human need is not uniformly addressed, and some employers are inclined to impose restrictions on the time workers can spend in the restroom. Why? Let's take a closer look at these unusual practices abroad.
Netherlands
The Dutch government is drafting new immigration rules, with a particular focus on companies that recruit highly skilled workers from abroad. Here's what this means for you if you're considering a move to the Netherlands.
Italy
Facing persistent labor shortages across multiple sectors, Italy is once again looking beyond its borders for solutions. The government has announced a new plan to issue nearly half a million work visas to non-EU nationals over the next three years.
Unlike your partner—who likely moved with a job already secured and whose work contract supports your dependent visa—you might still be figuring out how to structure your days in a foreign country. Maybe you were so focused on managing the logistics of the move that you haven't had much time to think about your own goals. But your journey matters just as much as theirs. Whether it's building a career, pursuing further education, or developing new skills, what are your options as an expat spouse?
It's no secret that landing a job abroad takes more than just qualifications—you'll need intercultural skills, strong adaptability, and a solid dose of determination. But even with all that, the competition can be fierce. So, how do you make yourself stand out to international recruiters? Here are some practical tips to help you prepare your applications and interviews with confidence and clarity.
Whether we embrace it with excitement or cautiously, artificial intelligence (AI) has become inseparable from our current and future world. The latest World Economic Forum report makes that clear: AI is reshaping the job market. This shift is especially significant for expats aiming to build an international career. So, what skills are recruiters looking for?
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