Hi Reader, Daria’s here

And today it’s not just me. I invited an experienced career coach and my friend Yulia Rudnitskaya to share her view on how to build a career if you are a global expert.

Personal Journey and Short Introduction

3 years ago, I was navigating the UK job market myself trying to find a Head of People position with very limited local experience.

For the past 2.5 years, I’ve been assisting others in finding jobs across the UK and Europe. And from my experience, it seems particularly challenging for foreigners to secure management roles.

That’s what I found out:

Building a career as a foreigner in Europe and the UK does present unique challenges, especially in higher-level management roles. Statistics show that employment rates and labour market participation can be significantly lower for non-EU citizens compared to nationals and other EU citizens.

The Numbers Speak: Employment Statistics for Foreigners

In the EU, the employment rate for non-EU citizens was 58.9% in 2021, compared to 73.8% for EU citizens.

Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in management roles across Europe, as highlighted by McKinsey.
In the UK, foreign workers often find themselves overqualified for the roles they secure.
The unemployment rate for non-EU citizens in the UK was around 6% by the end of 2022, higher than for both UK-born and EU-born workers

Challenges to Career Growth as a Foreigner

Language and Cultural Differences: Talk about the importance of language proficiency and adapting to workplace norms. Share examples of how even small cultural misunderstandings can impact career progression.
Recognition of Qualifications and Experience: Explain how foreign qualifications are sometimes undervalued and how this affects opportunities for career advancement.
Bias in Hiring Practices: Touch on implicit biases that may favour local candidates over foreign-born applicants, even with equal qualifications.
Networking Difficulties: Discuss the added challenge of building a professional network from scratch in a new country and why it’s key to career success.
Visa and Work Authorization Hurdles: Address how work visas can impact job options, particularly for management roles, and the additional pressure they place on foreign professionals.

Role-Specific Challenges and Advice for Foreign Professionals

Finance & Technology

Why It’s Easier: Skills in finance and technology are often highly transferable, as many methodologies and technologies are used globally. Technical expertise and financial acumen speak for themselves, and these roles typically have universal standards.
Advice: Focus on obtaining local certifications where necessary (like ACCA for finance or certifications in GDPR compliance for tech professionals in Europe). Building a network through tech meetups or finance forums can also increase visibility.

Operations & Project Management

Challenges: These roles often require knowledge of local vendors, logistical networks, or regulatory requirements, which can be difficult for newcomers. Success in these fields also relies heavily on understanding and adapting to local business cultures and practices.
Advice: Seek roles that allow gradual entry, such as project coordinator positions, which can help build local contacts and experience. Try to gain familiarity with regional supply chains or specific regulatory environments in your field.

Legal & Compliance

Challenges: Legal roles often require deep knowledge of local laws and regulations, and foreign legal degrees may not be recognised without additional certifications. Furthermore, compliance roles are typically country-specific, dealing with local policies and standards.
Advice: Foreign-trained lawyers or compliance professionals can consider taking local exams or certifications (like the UK’s Solicitors Qualifying Examination). Starting in multinational companies with global compliance teams might offer a smoother transition.

Human Resources (HR)

Challenges: HR involves deep interaction with local labour laws, cultural nuances, and workplace practices, making it harder for foreigners to adapt. The need for understanding the local employment market and cultural dynamics is crucial for effective talent management.
Advice: For a smoother entry, consider working in an international or global HR role where an understanding of different cultures is valued. Pursue local HR certifications or training to gain credibility and better understand local employment laws and workplace expectations.

Marketing & Communications

Challenges: Roles in marketing require a profound understanding of local consumer behaviour, trends, and cultural preferences. Additionally, language nuances can pose barriers to effective communication, especially in content creation or PR.
Advice: Working in roles that target international markets could leverage your background, while still allowing time to develop local market insights. Upskill by learning local marketing laws (e.g., data protection standards) and consider attending local marketing events to get familiar with trends and networks.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Challenges: While healthcare is highly needed, most roles require national certifications or licensing. Cultural differences can also impact patient care, especially in mental health or therapeutic roles.
Advice: Look into bridging programs for medical professionals or roles in global health organisations where international experience is an asset. For research positions, getting familiar with European regulatory standards like REACH (for chemicals) or EMA (for drugs) is essential.

Tips for Overcoming These Barriers

Provide actionable advice on how listeners can navigate or counter these challenges. For example:

Networking: Share tips for building connections locally, both online and offline.
Skill Development: Highlight the importance of local certifications or courses that align with market demands.
Mindset: Encourage persistence and adaptability, acknowledging the challenges while focusing on gradual progress.

Mention any support systems or resources for foreigners in the UK and Europe, such as professional organisations, mentorship programs, or career support groups.

General Takeaway for All Roles

Adaptability is Key: Regardless of industry, showing a willingness to understand and respect local practices can go a long way.
Community Engagement: Actively joining industry-specific communities or local chapters of professional organisations can offer insights and connections that pave the way for career growth.

About the Author

Yulia Rudnitskaya is a career coach with over 15 years of experience in HR and IT, having worked with companies such as Yota, Russian Post, and Arrival. She now focuses on helping professionals navigate career transitions, overcome burnout, and adapt to new job markets in the UK and Europe.

📎 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliasidorovich/

📎 Telegram (in Russian): https://t.me/meaningfulcareer

Hope you enjoyed it.

See you Thursday,

Daria

P.S. I regularly post behind-the-scenes lessons, tools, and stories from my work with teams on LinkedIn. If we’re not connected yet, follow me—I’d love to keep the conversation going.