“Which countries are actually hiring people with my skills?”
To answer this question, there is one specific action your need to take: global skills demand research. It’s a good question and quite a common one – though the answer is simpler than you might think. By conducting global skills demand research FIRST is a better strategy before blindly diving headfirst into overseas job applications.
Conducting thorough global skills demand research before making a single application can often make or break your journey to finding an ideal job abroad.
Why Global Skills Demand Research Matters
I’ve heard complaints over and over again from people who blindly apply to job after job, using features like “Easy Apply” on LinkedIn, and then hear crickets. Without knowing it, they might be applying to roles within an industry that is already over-saturated in the target country(s). Ironically, for the same roles, there might very well be labor shortages and high demand in other countries – including countries in Europe! A smart career move is to understand that success starts with researching where your specific skill set is genuinely needed.
Government Skills Lists: Your Starting Point for Global Skills Demand Research
The firs stop on your journey to researching where your skills are demanded are official government publications. Many countries maintain detailed shortage occupation lists that serve as goldmines for researching where your skills are actually needed. Some countries do not have a single database or report, but other reputable European sources, such as “schengenvisa.news” can provide such information:
Major Government Skills Lists to Examine
- Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
- Canada’s Express Entry eligible occupations
- UK’s Skilled Visa Temporary Shortage List
- Germany’s Labor Market (and Shortage Occupation) Reports
- Netherlands’ Bottleneck Occupations – A schengenvisa.news website
- Denmark’s Positive List
- Ireland’s Critical Skills Occuptations List
These official documents literally tell you what each government considers essential for their economy. They’re the ultimate authority in global skills demand research.
Digital Job Market Analysis
Beyond government lists, sophisticated global skills demand research requires multiple data sources:
LinkedIn Jobs serves as your international job market thermometer. Search your role across different countries and analyze posting volumes, requirements, and frequency. High posting volumes combined with competitive salaries typically indicate strong demand.
Local job boards provide insider perspectives that international platforms might miss:
- StepStone for Germany
- Seek for Australia
- InfoJobs for Spain
- Indeed variations by country: Example – https://nl.indeed.com/ for the Netherlands
Salary comparison tools reveal market demand through compensation data. Higher-than-average salaries often signal skill shortages and increased competition for talent. You can try tools like Michael Page salary guides, published for specific countries. (Look at one country’s report for your occupation or a similar occupation, then use another country’s report to see the salary for the same occupation in that country).
Leveraging Network Intelligence for Global Skills Demand Research
Data alone doesn’t tell the complete story. Human intelligence provides context that statistics can’t capture:
Strategic Network Building
Conduct informational interviews with professionals already working in your target countries. Their firsthand experience can reveal cultural nuances, industry dynamics, and hidden opportunities that formal research might miss.
Connect with international recruiters who specialize in your field. They have real-time insights into what companies are actively seeking and can provide candid assessments of your marketability.
Join country-specific professional groups on LinkedIn. These communities often share job opportunities, discuss market conditions, and provide insider knowledge about working in specific locations.
Turning Research Into Action
Effective global skills demand research isn’t about identifying every possible opportunity worldwide. It’s about focusing your energy strategically.
Once you’ve completed your analysis, narrow your focus to 1-2 countries where multiple data sources confirm strong demand for your expertise. This targeted approach allows you to:
- Tailor applications to specific market needs
- Understand local hiring processes
- Build relevant networks
- Prepare for country-specific interview styles
- Navigate visa and immigration requirements more efficiently
Common Global Skills Demand Research Mistakes to Avoid
Many professionals sabotage their international career prospects by:
- Applying broadly without understanding local demand
- Relying solely on generic job search platforms
- Ignoring government skills shortage lists
- Failing to network with local professionals
- Overlooking cultural and regulatory differences
Your Next Steps
Before sending another international job application, invest time in comprehensive global skills demand research. The countries where you assume demand exists might surprise you, and the locations you’ve never considered could offer your best opportunities.
Start with government skills lists, supplement with job market data, validate through industry reports, and confirm through network intelligence. This systematic approach transforms hopeful guessing into strategic career positioning.
The global job market rewards professionals who do their homework. Make global skills demand research your competitive advantage, and watch how quickly the right international opportunities begin to emerge.
About me
I’m Megan, an International Career Coach who has lived and worked in over 10 countries. At the time of writing, I am on a digital nomad visa in Spain 🙂 I’m dedicated to helping ambitious professionals identify pathways and develop strategies that will allow them to live and work abroad in the regions and countries that truly excite them.
Whether you’re just starting to dream about international opportunities or you’re ready to make your move, I understand the challenges because I’ve lived them. From navigating visa requirements to mastering the art of international networking, I help people turn their overseas career dreams into concrete action plans.
If you’d like to learn more about my story, click here.
Also, feel free to book a 1:1 free Work Abroad Exploration call where we can discuss your specific goals and the best path forward for your international career journey.