Job Hunting Abroad: Learning to Be Your Own Best Partner

In 2024, I moved to Liverpool—the city where I finished my Master’s—on a Working Holiday (YMS) visa. My goal? To experience the UK job market as an engineer and give myself three months to explore.

Being back in a familiar environment has given me space to breathe. Whether it’s watching the sunlight hit the old brick buildings or grabbing a pint with friends during a football match, I’ve felt a deep sense of gratitude. But beneath the beauty of the trip, this journey has been a masterclass in self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

The Art of ‘Emotional Decoupling’

Job hunting abroad is a rollercoaster. Rejections are the default; interviews are a lucky break. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is to separate the results from my emotions.

We tend to take a “rejection email” as a personal failure. We focus on our flaws and spiral into negative self-talk. But the truth is, the hiring decision is often about things you can’t control: budgets, specific tech stacks, or internal candidates.

How I handle rejections now:

• Objective Review: Did I miss a keyword? Was my English confident?
• Positive Reframing: I look at what I did right in the interview and note one thing to optimize next time.
• Self-Care: I treat myself well. I workout, read, or explore a new cafe. Being my own best partner means supporting myself even when things aren’t going my way.

Work to Live vs. Live to Work

My 2023 was filled with a promotion and high-stress work. It was a classic “Live to Work” phase. Now, I’m leaning into “Work to Live.”

There’s no “right” way to balance it. Sometimes you need to grind; sometimes you need to rest. But this gap has taught me that true satisfaction comes from pursuing what feels right rather than what society says is “correct.”

We all have untapped potential. When you stop obsessing over your “official” title and start following your curiosity—whether it’s content marketing, photography, or a new tech stack—that’s where the magic happens.

Conclusion

Your worth is not defined by your employment status. This journey in the UK isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about proving to myself that I can handle the “unknown.”

If you’re struggling with job search burnout, take a day off. Be your own best partner first; the rest will follow.