「妳的語言能力和對市場的了解程度，都不比當地人來的佳，又沒有身分（PR），妳憑什麼認為自己值得這個薪水與工作？」
這是有次我和新加坡一個獵頭（headhunter）通話時，他一字不差對我說過的話。
跨國求職，絕非每天都陽光明媚、充滿積極正向，更多的日常，其實就是像這樣被無情地拒絕和洗臉。
當下，我明白他說的其實是事實，也是我無法逃避、血淋淋的真相。因此那陣子我陷入了一陣低潮和自我懷疑，感覺自己再怎麼努力，都無法突破這些「重力問題」。
（註：重力問題（Gravity Problem）一詞出自「做自己的生命設計師」一書，指的是一種難以改變的既存事實及現象，無法對之採取任何行動，若是嘗試想要解決此類問題，常常只會撞得頭破血流，卻仍難以撼動事實的本質。）
但既然事實如此，「面對這樣的情境，你會採取以下哪種行動？」
一、躺平，承認我就是不夠優秀，不夠適合。
既然前述這些都是我無法短時間內解決的問題，或許我就是沒有這個命到海外追求更好的薪資與發展機會。那何必這麼辛苦？讓自己在外面每天被人家洗臉，不如待在我熟悉的環境，使用熟悉的語言從事熟悉的工作，其實也沒什麼不好。
二、接受事實，明白獵頭說的是「現況」，但「現況」是可以產生變化的：先承認自己有低潮，也會有感到無力和沮喪的時刻，也許先休息一下子，但之後必須要重新振作，爬起來繼續努力──明天又會是全新的一天。
同時學會「換位思考」，理解任何雇主都會有以下的顧慮：「我何必找一個語言和市場熟悉度都不如當地人的外國員工，把她從海外大費周章 relocate 到新加坡，給她工作簽證？風險和成本都這麼高，我為何不從一開始就找個當地人就好？」
換言之，既然有了前往海外工作的目標，就得同步思考，要怎麼為海外雇主，帶來獨一無二的貢獻？
我認識在海外工作的人，都有足夠的韌性和堅毅，在各種挫折與不如意的時刻，選擇「選項二」，揮一揮衣袖，儘量不讓這些低潮往心裡去，明天又會是嶄新的一天。然後你不會看到他們的各種崩潰的時刻，大部分的人只會選擇展現自己的高光時刻，彷彿海外生活是多麼的美好及理想，種種的苦，只有在夜深人靜的時候，往自己的肚子裡吞。
要前往海外工作，第一關，至少要有這樣的心理素質。
在「做自己的生命設計師」一書中，給了重力問題如下的解答：
「面對重力問題時，我們唯一能做的就是接受它。這是所有優秀設計師的起點，也是設計思考的「從此時此刻做起」或「接受」階段。我們要接受現實，也因此，我們要從現在立足點出發，而不是從自已想抵達的地方出發，更不是從自認應該在的地方出發。一定要從腳下的這塊地出發。」
我認為這真的給了海外工作這個難解之題，一個完美的解答。
「從腳下的這塊地出發」
工作簽證／身份、語言和對市場的了解程度，不是我們一朝一夕能改變的，真正的核心問題，在於現在的我能做什麼，我有什麼當地人無法比擬的獨特之處？
被譽為「印度洋上最偉大的廚師」的江振誠，也曾提過：『很多人問過我，什麼樣特質的人才能夠待在我的團隊？在國際舞台上，一個人必須擁有什麼能力才有價值？」而我的答案就是：「專業」。』
謀職，也需要良好的策略。當你明白語言條件肯定不比當地人，那就儘量找不需要使用大量語言溝通的工作，進一步凸顯自己的弱點，也讓自己挫折滿點。找出那個你可以發揮的強項，例如工作是否有中文的需求（就我所知，新加坡人雖然可以用中文進行對話，但若是要閱讀以中文撰寫的資料，尤其像是法律文件等這種高度專業的文件，對他們來說也是一個無法克服的重力問題）。像我現在的工作，有一部分就是要大量使用中文溝通及閱讀中文法律文件，「中文聽說讀寫流利」這個需求，就我後來的了解，現職公司也是在新加坡尋覓了近六個月，發現沒有合適的對象，才不得不向海外尋找。
此外，以我的工作職能「商用不動產投資分析」來說，還有一個很重要的工作是「財務建模（Financial Modelling）」。這個相較之下比較不用說話的工作，你是否有辦法做得比當地人再好一些？你的模型建置、數字分析、策略思考能力及過去執行專案的經驗，有什麼能夠成為你獨特的加分項？
擁有了比當地人突出的一些亮點之後，最好是有個國際認證去進一步驗證你的能力。以我的產業為例，英國皇家特許測量師學會（Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors, RICS）的特許測量師認證，被視為是國際最高榮譽的不動產專業證照，能夠為我在商用不動產的專業上進行背書（我的專業是不動產投資，因此RICS的認證我選擇特別著重在Property Finance and Investment的這個pathway）。當時我的line manager及同事，以及後來面試的其他公司，很多都有注意到我RICS的資格，並詢問具備這個頭銜，讓你和其他求職者來說有什麼獨特的加分項。除了讓你有一個展開對話的契機，受到國際認證的專業能力，也能降低雇主從海外聘用外國工作者的風險。
總結上述，以下三點是我會給有意到海外求職的工作者的一些建議：
- 堅毅、不怕挫折的健康心態
- 誠實檢視自己並思考，自己在哪些地方擁有比當地人特別的加分項？
- 盡可能依據不同產業職缺，取得相關國際資格的認證
就像上面提到的重力問題，若硬要和其衝撞，肯定是撞得頭破血流還可能得不到什麼理想的結果。認清現實、接受自己，好好坐下來和自己對話，找出自己比別人稍微特別一點的地方；如果沒有，那就從現在開始培養。海外求職乃至立足，是條漫漫長路，很辛苦，但是你也能看到自己一點一滴累積的成長。
我認為，海外生活還有個好處，就是它通常能讓你比別人更加了解自己──因為有太多時刻，你會需要坐下來和自己靜靜的對話。而在這樣的過程中，也能逐漸明白自己究竟想要過上什麼樣的人生，也會更努力為自己的人生創造多一點的選擇。
畢竟，人生就是一個不斷幫自己創造選擇的過程，一直到，找到並能實踐那個自己理想生活的樣貌為止。
「有選擇，才能做出好選擇。」
想要做出好選擇的前提是，你必須要有選擇，選擇越多，做出好選擇的機率越高。
你是否願意，在人生還有機會，替自己創造選擇的時候，努力向前一步，為未來的自己換取更寬廣的道路？
“Your language proficiency and understanding of the local market are nowhere near that of a native, and you don’t even have permanent residency—what makes you think you deserve this salary or job?”
These were the exact words a headhunter in Singapore once said to me during a phone call.
Pursuing a career abroad is far from a sunny, upbeat journey every day. More often than not, it looks like this: blunt rejection and a dose of harsh reality.
In that moment, I understood that what he said was, in fact, true—undeniably so. It was a reality I couldn’t avoid. And so, I entered a period of low spirits and self-doubt, feeling as though no matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t escape these “gravity problems”.
(Note: The term “Gravity Problem” comes from the book “Designing Your Life”. It refers to circumstances that are fixed and largely unchangeable—issues over which we have no control. Attempting to ‘solve’ such problems often leads only to frustration and disappointment, without altering the nature of the problem itself.)
But since this is the reality, the real question is: in the face of such circumstances, which path would you choose?
Option 1: Give up. Admit I’m simply not good enough, or not suited for this path.
Given that these issues cannot be resolved in the short term, perhaps I’m just not meant to seek better pay or opportunities overseas. Why push myself so hard, only to be met with rejection? Maybe it’s better to stay in a familiar environment, speaking a familiar language and doing work I know well. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
Option 2: Acknowledge the reality—but recognise that it is just that: the current reality, not the final outcome.
Accept that there will be moments of discouragement and powerlessness. It’s okay to take a step back and rest. But then, get up, regroup, and keep going—because tomorrow is a new day.
Learn, too, to see things from another perspective. Understand the mindset of any employer: “Why should I go through the trouble and expense of relocating a foreign hire to Singapore, granting a work visa, when I could simply hire a local candidate who already understands the language and market?” It’s a logical concern, given the higher risks and costs.
In other words, if you aspire to work abroad, you must also consider how you can offer something unique to your overseas employer—something no local candidate can bring to the table.
Everyone I know who works overseas possesses a remarkable degree of resilience. In moments of rejection or frustration, they choose Option 2. They dust themselves off and carry on, refusing to let setbacks penetrate too deeply. You don’t often see their moments of breakdown. Most choose only to share their highlights—making life abroad seem ideal and aspirational. The struggles, the tears, are often swallowed silently in the quiet hours of the night.
To even embark on an overseas career path, this kind of mental resilience is essential.
In “Designing Your Life”, the authors offer this insight on dealing with gravity problems:
“When faced with a gravity problem, the only thing we can do is accept it. That’s the starting point of all good design—and the foundation of design thinking: to begin from where you are, not where you wish you were, nor where you think you ought to be. Start from the ground beneath your feet.”
I believe this is the perfect answer to the complex question of working abroad.
“Start from the ground beneath your feet.”
工作Your visa status, language abilities, and local market knowledge are not things that can be changed overnight. The real question is: what can I do right now? What do I possess that a local candidate might not?
André Chiang, hailed as the greatest chef in the Indian Ocean, once said: “People often ask me: what kind of person can work on my team? What qualities must someone have to thrive on the international stage? My answer is simple: professionalism.”
Job hunting is a strategic game. If you know your language skills may not measure up to those of locals, then don’t seek roles that rely heavily on verbal communication. Doing so only accentuates your weaknesses and invites frustration. Instead, identify where your strengths lie. For instance, is there a demand for Chinese language skills? In Singapore, while many locals can converse in Mandarin, reading complex Chinese documents—especially legal or technical ones—can be a major challenge. That too, is a gravity problem for them.
In my current role, I frequently engage in Mandarin communication and review legal documents in Chinese. I later learned that the company had spent nearly six months trying to fill this role locally before finally deciding to hire from overseas.
In my line of work—commercial real estate investment analysis—another key component is “financial modelling”. It’s a role that demands technical skill more than verbal fluency. Can you outperform local candidates in this area? What about your financial modelling, data analysis, strategic thinking, or past project execution experience sets you apart?
If you do have strengths that stand out, it’s wise to back them up with an internationally recognised qualification. In my field, the MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) credential is regarded as one of the highest global honours in real estate. It serves as a powerful endorsement of my expertise in commercial property investment. I chose the “Property Finance and Investment” pathway to align with my specialism.
Both my line manager and external interviewers took notice of this qualification. They would ask: how does holding this designation set you apart from other jobseekers? It not only gave me an excellent conversation starter, but also helped reduce the perceived risk of hiring a foreign candidate.
To sum up, here are three pieces of advice I would give to anyone aspiring to work abroad:
- Develop a resilient and healthy mindset that embraces challenges and setbacks.
- Honestly assess your strengths and consider: what can I offer that a local candidate may not?
- Pursue relevant international certifications that enhance your value within your specific field.
As mentioned earlier, gravity problems cannot be solved by brute force. Trying to fight them head-on often leads to unnecessary pain with little gain. Instead, face the facts, accept yourself, and have an honest conversation with your inner self: What sets me apart, even just slightly? If you don’t yet have a clear answer, begin cultivating it today.
Pursuing a career abroad is a long and arduous path. But along the way, you’ll witness your own growth—bit by bit, day by day.
One of the most valuable aspects of living abroad is the way it brings you face-to-face with yourself. There will be countless moments where you sit quietly and reflect. Through that reflection, you come to understand the kind of life you truly want to live—and slowly, you begin building it.
After all, life is a process of creating options for yourself—until you discover and realise your ideal life.
“When you have choices, you can make good choices.”
And to make good choices, you must first have choices. The more options you have, the greater the chance of choosing well.
So the question is: while life still gives you that chance, are you willing to take one step forward—to create more options and pave a broader path for your future self?