A Working Weekend

After waiting almost three months to get my visa situation in order the time has finally come for me to begin my job search here in Iceland. While I am more than ready to start working I of course am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the idea of job searching and all the fun and games that come along with it.

I know I am not alone in feeling like this and anyone that is in the process of looking for a job feels stressed and overwhelmed as well. Add in the whole I live in a foreign country thing though and I have found of a new list of concerns to stress myself out about.

First issue at hand, how do I start the job search when everything is in another language, one that I can’t speak?? I know I really let the language barrier intimidate me a bit to much and this situation is no different. Job hunting is never fun but in another language it is a whole new story! It takes me hours to look up listings and one thing that I have learned is that Google translate can not be trusted.

Issue number 2, I have no idea what I want to do with my life!

Since graduating college two years ago I have been in a traveling limbo not really staying at home long enough to get settled into a career. Now that I am settling into a one place for awhile I am looking for a job that I have an interest in and can possibly grow into a career. What this job entails though is a complete mystery to me and that makes my job search a bit more difficult.

The last issue that is stressing me out, will I even be able to find a job that I am interested in since I don’t speak Icelandic? I know when I express this concern to my friends here they are full of positive comments and tell me I shouldn’t be so worried. Well guess what I am freaking out about it!

Now that I have gotten some of those concerns off my chest I have to share a story from this weekend about my first experience with the Icelandic job market. Over the weekend I submitted my first application, had my first interview, and worked a training shift all within the span of 24 hours!

Point of story, the job search continues.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend filled with lazy days, sushi dinners, and brunch with unlimited mimosas. Or whatever floats your boat and makes you smile :)

I am off to find a job that fits this graph, wish me luck!

Question of the Day?
Have any of you had any experience job searching in a foreign country? Any tips??

January 13, 2014 by Kiki

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http://www.meganstarr.com/ Megan

good luck with things! i had a brutal time with job stuff in norway when i first moved there. i found a lot of jobs (that only required english) but the immigration office was being buttholes (yes, i definitely just used that word) and didnt let me keep them. so i got a job at a cafe to help learn the language, get to network, and start working a little while my visa stuff sorted out. all worked out well and i now have a full time job ;) but i did work at a cafe for a year during the ordeal. it was great actually.

if you’re looking for just a part time job until you find other jobs, maybe you can try cafe babalu (they are hiring now i know) or ‘c is for cookie’. when i went to c is for cookie, the girl that worked there was eastern european and was learning the language…so i know they are patient with it. im sure babalu would work with you as well.

best of luck and keep your head up! its not easy, but definitely well worth it in the long run
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thanks so much for such a great comment! I am so glad you stopped by I was just checking out your blog and it sounds like we have so much in common! The immigration really does like to be a pain, especially for us non EU members! I am taking language courses and will work in a cafe if necessary but not ideal for long term. At least the tourism is booming here in Iceland so hoping to find a need for a native english speaker there.
  
  Thanks so much for the suggestions, how funny I actually just talked with cafe babalu this weekend but the position is mostly all on the weekend and not something I would be looking for so the search continues. I agree networking if key here and connections are what get you anywhere!
  
  Where did you end up finding a job at in norway if you don´t mind me asking? Are you required to be fluent in Norwegian or is your english okay for it?
  - http://www.meganstarr.com/ Megan
    
    hey!!! i understand about not working at a cafe long term. i have a masters degree and am 30, but you have to start somewhere ;) especially in nordic societies. theyd rather see you have some sort of job than be unemployed when applying for jobs that are more fit for your education. plus, the extra money does hurt much either ;)
    
    good luck with everything! i know it can be a daunting process :)
    
    all of my previous job offers in norway were in my field in int’l business (global sales, etc) and actually one was to have me to sales director for iceland and norway for the worlds biggest publishing company. but the immigration office in norway was lazy and couldnt process my visa in time. wah. anyways, so after a year or working at a cafe and waiting to get a visa to work full time, i got a job as a content creator for a travel company. its a pretty bomb job and right up my alley :) while it does not fit my education, it definitely fits my passion, and that is all i care about.
    
    my blog has actually been the main reason for all of my job offers, oddly enough. i worked w/ norways big oil company because they found my blog (and paid me $160/hour haha). and this most recent job had a lot to do with them getting a deeper impression of me via my blog. so definitely use your website to your advantage with networking, etc ;)
    - http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
      
      Thanks so much Megan for all the awesome advice! I am totally not against working in a cafe, I have worked in a coffee shop for many years back at home and loved it! Sadly this first option wasn’t the best fit for me but I am hopefully I can find others and at least start somewhere.
      
      So glad we found each others blog and connected, I love hearing about others who have similar stories as myself! Passion is everything and I am glad you have found a job that is your passion! That is my goal and hope to find that as well one day. Thanks again for the awesome words of advice! xoxo
http://www.diariesofanessexgirl.com/ Kate Hall

Oh gosh, Google Translate really can NOT be trusted at all!!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Ha no after some of the job description translations I got I can safely say google translate do not trust it!
http://tothedayslikethis.blogspot.co.uk/ Sammy Dorn

Good luck! I have just found out that the company I am working for only has 3 more weeks of work for me so I need to find another job. It is easier for me because it is English speaking, but still very stressful. I find that recruitment companies are really good and that is how I have been given a lot of my work
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank youm best of luck to you to! At least I have a few months before it will be a desperate matter to find a job, but the recruitment companies are a great idea!
http://confuzzledom.wordpress.com/ bevchen

Good luck! I hated going to job interviews at German companies, and my German is actually good!!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Ugh job interviews, applications, cover letters they all blow! I will be poppin bottles when this ordeal is over with:)
http://www.lifeinprogress.ca/ Kathy@Vodka and Soda

best of luck! that’s tough; looking for a job in a different country.

kathy | Vodka and Soda
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank you! I am trying to view it as a learning experience, or at least that is what my mom says I should do:)
http://agirlandhertravels.com/ Polly

Oy, my life. Best of luck, it’ll all work out eventually. Enjoy the irrational worrying — there’s not really any getting rid of it, at least for me!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Ha I think it will be the same here, worrying just doesn’t go away for me until the problem is solved! Thanks so much!
Annie Montgomery

cannot be trusted! so true. good luck on the search! i was worried when i first started hunting last year, i don’t have enough french for the workplace and have ZERO dutch..i got turned down quite a bit. but in the end i got a pretty sweet gig that i wish i hadn’t stressed over - you’ve got this!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank you! I am hoping that over time I will find something that fits as well. So difficult though searching when you lack the language, expat problems right!
http://www.karlykim.com/ Karly Kim

Job hunting is so stressful!! Good luck love :)
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank you:) Fingers crossed it is a short and painless experience.
Colleen Brynn

It may be easier said than done (and it’s advice I’m trying to follow at the moment too), but sometimes you just have to let things happen. Good luck girl! x
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I like that way of thinking! I totally agree sometimes its so difficult to take your own advice. Thanks so much :)
http://voyageofthemeemee.blogspot.com/ Amanda MeeMee

I’ve never been in that position but I can definitely understand why it would stress you out!!! Have you taken any classes to learn the language? I bet that would go a long way on your resume! :)
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I am actually in level two of Icelandic now, so basically I can carry on a conversation with a toddler :) Luckily most people speak excellent english but hopefully one day I will master this complicated language!
http://www.elleninwonderland.weebly.com/ Ellen

I don’t have any tips sorry! Just wanted to say good luck with your job search!!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank you! Always a learning experience, to bad learning experiences aren’t always more fun:)
Krista

I’m not sure how I came across your blog but I love it!! I turned 21 in Iceland and wouldn’t trade our time there for the world!! We lived there in the early 90’s for 2/12 years. My husband was in the Navy stationed in Keflavik. What an adventure for you!! Lucky for you, you could pass for an Icelander, no questions asked : ) Good luck with your job search!! At least most people speak some English…even if they don’t want to ; )
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  So glad you found my blog :) Sounds like you had an amazing time, I have seen the bunk houses whenever I fly into Keflavik. Thanks so much it is true everyone speaks really good english especially the younger generations so I just will have to force them into speaking it until I can figure out there complicated language :)
http://weiderjl.blogspot.com/ Jenn

I just got a new job and the job searching/application is no fun in any language! I can’t imagine doing it in a language that I don’t speak! Good luck with your search and I hope you find something great :)
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thanks so much! I have a feeling it will be a very interesting learning experience:) Bring on the challenge!
http://www.lifesajournee.com/ Elicia Shepard

You got this girl!!!!! If something doesn’t work out there are always doors that are opened. Make those connections with people. That’s how I have gotten all of my teaching jobs!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank you so much! Networking is everything, especially in a country as small as Iceland:)
http://www.expat-tales.com/ Jamie @ Expat Tales

My best advice on this one would be to look into work as a nanny, if that’s something you’d enjoy doing. I landed a job for myself within one week of arrival, and then another the second week. Assuming the parents there are anything like here, having their kids learn or maintain their English skills with a native speaker is highly desired. Also, practicing your new language with kids is SO much less stressful than with adults!

The site I used was greataupair.com and I had a much bigger advantage over most of the applicants because I was already holding a visa, in country, and ready to work. There’s an initial registration fee, so I paid for 1 month (then canceled) and went all-out in that time. After the one month, your profile still remains, though you can’t contact families, they have to message you first. This has worked perfectly for me because I sought out a bunch of jobs, chose which, and now just occasionally get side jobs from people still finding my profile. Let me know if you want any help!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thanks so much for all the great advice! Working as a nanny is def an option and I will have to check into the greataupair.com. Thanks for all the information and help!
  - http://www.expat-tales.com/ Jamie @ Expat Tales
    
    Glad to hear it! The family I’m with now is absolutely wonderful. Three kids (4, 6 & 9) and I can’t imagine it any other way!
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A Working Weekend

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