Setting the Stage: My Life Before the Leap
The Illusion of Comfort: Life in My Small Corner of the World
Before my first global job, I lived what many would call an “ordinary” life. I had a steady job in my hometown. My daily routine was predictable. Wake up at 7 AM. Catch the same crowded train. Do the same tasks at work. Return home. Watch TV. Sleep. Repeat.
But beneath that predictable rhythm, something restless stirred inside me. Every time I scrolled through social media and saw friends working abroad, or when I stumbled on YouTube videos about digital nomads, something in me whispered: “There’s more out there.”
Yet, I stayed in my comfort zone. Why? Fear. Fear of failing in another country. Fear of language barriers. Fear of being alone. Fear of starting from zero.
The Triggering Moment: My “Enough is Enough” Day
Everything changed one rainy afternoon.
It was a Tuesday. I was stuck in a windowless meeting room, listening to yet another uninspired presentation about quarterly sales targets. I remember staring at the flickering fluorescent light and thinking, “Is this it? Is this how my life is going to be for the next 30 years?”
That day, after work, I went straight to a local coffee shop, opened my laptop, and started searching: “How to get a job abroad with no experience.”
That single Google search marked the beginning of everything that came next.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: Hope Meets Reality
My first few weeks of research were both exciting and deeply discouraging. For every inspiring blog post I read about someone making it abroad, there were 10 others highlighting how difficult it was: work visa issues, language requirements, cultural adaptation hurdles, and job market competitiveness.
I made lists. I downloaded eBooks. I joined online communities for expats and remote workers. I consumed everything I could.
But there was still one thing missing: Action.
Information without execution is just noise. And I was drowning in noise.
The Decision: Going All In
One night, after binge-watching yet another motivational YouTube video about taking risks, I sat down and made a decision that would change my life:
“I will get a global job within the next 6 months. No excuses.”
That was the start of my journey. Not the glamorous Instagram-worthy part. The messy, self-doubt-filled, coffee-fueled late-night research part.
And this is where the unfiltered story really begins.
The Unfiltered Story: Struggles, Failures, and Small Wins
Stage 1: The Resume Reality Check
The first thing I realized? My resume was completely unfit for global roles.
I had always thought my experience was “solid.” But when I compared my resume to global job descriptions, the gaps became obvious:
- Lack of international experience
- Weak English language skills
- No mention of cross-cultural communication
- Too much irrelevant local work history
I spent two full weeks reworking my resume. I studied LinkedIn profiles of people who already had global jobs. I noticed the patterns: action verbs, metrics, focus on adaptability and soft skills.
I also started writing my resume in English—even though I wasn’t confident yet. I used Grammarly. I asked native English speakers in online forums to review it. I iterated over and over.
Stage 2: Language, Communication, and Confidence
Next came the language barrier.
I wasn’t fluent in English at the time. My TOEIC score was just average. I couldn’t hold a fluent conversation without freezing.
So I built a personal daily ritual:
- Morning: 30 minutes of English podcasts
- Lunch break: Reading one English blog post
- Evening: Speaking practice with language exchange partners online
- Night: Watching TED Talks with subtitles
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t fast. But little by little, I improved.
Stage 3: The Job Hunt (And Constant Rejections)
I started applying. First, I focused on remote jobs. Then international internships. Then entry-level positions abroad.
I sent over 100 applications in the first two months. The rejection emails piled up.
“Thank you for your interest, but…”
“We regret to inform you…”
“Unfortunately…”
Each rejection felt like a punch in the gut. I questioned everything:
- Was I being unrealistic?
- Should I just give up?
- Was my English still not good enough?
But I didn’t stop.
For every rejection, I analyzed what went wrong. I refined my cover letters. I researched each company more carefully. I tailored my applications.
Stage 4: Networking the Non-Obvious Way
One thing that made a huge difference: online networking.
I wasn’t traveling yet, but I joined LinkedIn groups, Slack communities for remote workers, and international job boards. I started commenting on posts, sending connection requests, and even asking for informational interviews.
One person I met through LinkedIn became my mentor. Another introduced me to a company hiring for a remote junior role in digital marketing.
That was my breakthrough.
The Breakthrough Moment: My First Global Job Offer
The Unexpected Opportunity
The job wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t high-paying. But it was exactly what I needed: a fully remote, entry-level digital marketing role for a UK-based startup.
When I got the email offering me the job, I almost didn’t believe it.
I had a video interview at 3 AM Japan time. I wore my only suit. My internet lagged. I stumbled over words. But I showed passion. I talked about all the learning I had done. I was brutally honest about my strengths and weaknesses.
Two days later, I got the offer.
The Emotional Aftermath
I cried.
Not because the salary was high. It wasn’t.
But because I had proved to myself that this was possible.
That a small-town person with no international background, no elite university degree, and average English could break into the global job market.
First Month on the Job: Culture Shock from My Bedroom
Working with colleagues across time zones was hard. Understanding British humor was harder. Writing client emails in English took me an hour each.
But every day felt like a step forward.
The fear I had at the start? It turned into adrenaline.
The Actionable Checklist: How You Can Do It Too
Here’s the unfiltered, brutally honest, but 100% actionable checklist that helped me land my first global job:
✅ Step 1: Mindset Shift
- Stop thinking “Am I good enough?” Start thinking “How can I become the kind of person this job needs?”
- Commit to at least 6 months of intense effort.
✅ Step 2: Fix Your Resume (For Global Standards)
- Write it in English.
- Focus on transferable skills: communication, problem-solving, adaptability.
- Use action verbs and metrics wherever possible.
✅ Step 3: Build English Fluency (Practical, Not Perfect)
- Listen to podcasts.
- Watch YouTube videos.
- Speak with language exchange partners.
- Accept that you’ll make mistakes. Keep going.
✅ Step 4: Apply Widely, But Smartly
- Remote jobs, internships, freelance gigs—be open-minded.
- Tailor each cover letter.
- Research each company.
✅ Step 5: Network Online
- Join LinkedIn groups.
- Comment on posts.
- DM people for informational interviews.
- Be genuine. Don’t just ask for jobs—build relationships.
✅ Step 6: Prepare for Interviews (Especially Remote Video Calls)
- Test your internet and audio beforehand.
- Have stories ready: overcoming obstacles, learning fast, working in teams.
- Show passion, not just skills.
✅ Step 7: Embrace Imperfection
- You will feel unqualified.
- Your English won’t be perfect.
- You will get rejected.
But all you need is one yes.
That one “yes” changed my life. And it can change yours too.
Stay hungry. Stay uncomfortable. Stay in motion.
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