How hard is it to get a job in another country? There’s a bunch of international agencies I admire, but I don’t know anyone who’s searched for an international job.

I’m currently working in another country and can totally encourage it! What cities are you interested in?

You're looking at immigration/getting a visa essentially. Get that sorted and then apply to jobs like you normally would (keeping in mind different cultural norms for that process, resumes can be written differently, etc). Yes, sometimes it's possible to do an in-network transfer, but you still have to go through the immigration/visa process, and the transfer will only happen if the company needs the role you do and decide you're the right person (like normal hiring), and some countries have requirements/restrictions around hiring non-citizens on top of that. It might be easier to freelance if you have a visa that only lasts a few months or a year. Permanent hires often have legal requirements if you're not a citizen but freelancing is looser. Make sure you're on top of tax requirements and all the needed registrations and paperwork if you go that route. Sometimes if you're really senior and/or talented (award wins etc) the agency will help you get your visa but I find that's rare. Easier to do it yourself, and then you're not tied to that company like you can be if they sponsor you. Every country has different rules so research each region you're interested in.

Awards and a great portfolio do the trick. The visa work can be a lot on their end so they have to see potential in hiring you. Publicis Milan, David Madrid and 72andSunny Amsterdam take a lot of foreign talent.

It's doable, for sure! Just like in any place, it does help to know people/network. Miami Ad school has a few schools over there and graduates find places at agencies abroad, for instance. Otherwise, I'd just start connecting with the creatives you're inspired by at whichever agencies to talk and ask if you can show your book and see what you can do to make yourself relevant there if you aren't already.

In the UK employers can’t reject you for not having the correct visa status. If they explicitly say ‘it’s because you don’t have a visa’ that is a discrimination claim just right there. The best option is inter-agency transfer or to work as a freelancer and set-up a limited company. It ends up costing you a lot upfront, like you need to have collateral in the bank etc and not require any government handouts for the 2-5 years. It’s a tough one in the uk right now.