4. Stop being invisible.

If you were used to being recognized by members of your community who were aware of your professional merits, you may be feeling very “anonymous” in new country.

If you were previously a highly active, social and professional woman, don’t chose jobs that will relegate you to back office and hide you behind a pile of meaningless paperwork. Look for a job that projects your social qualities and allows you to interact more visibly.

Find a career that allows you to fully utilize your skills. This could mean starting your own business, finding a new career, going back to school or finding means and ways to become actively involved with people in your profession in new country or abroad.

5. Be informed about work culture of new country.

This may seem pretty basic but it should not be taken for granted. If you want to get ahead you must stop running around like a headless chicken and begin to familiarize yourself with lifestyle, culture and work ethics of new country. For instance, do you understand work place terminology? What kind of transferable/employable skills do you need? Do employers require curriculum vitae or resumes? What is academic equivalent of professional qualification you hold?

Sometimes hardship you are facing is not brought about by you as a person but by your lack of research on basics. Make adjustment easier for yourself by tailoring your life to fit into new place and not vice versa.

6. Increase your social networks.

There is always a close connection between one's occupation and social status. When you are unable to transfer occupation that you once held to new country you now live in, you also lose social status. It is therefore important to have a network of people that you can trust and depend on.

You can have personal networks like friendship groups and social organizations and also join and actively participate in professional associations, community networks and support groups that are involved with issues that interest you. These networks also play a useful role in combating feeling of being alone in a new place and can also be good idea or lead generators for a new job.

7. Don’t be complacent…do something!

Don’t wallow in self-pity. Hold on to your dreams and your goals. Work steadily and take risks to achieve them. Persevere and be resilient. Do what you have to do, to ensure that you make a success of your new life.

Be strong! Although there are many barriers to be overcome in a new country, let not your spirit be tarnished. Look within yourself for strength to move forward with your life. With a positive attitude, you will find that there are a lot of things that can bring you ultimate success.

When you are prepared for your big break, you will always confidently rise to occasion!

"The more you prepare, luckier you appear" Terry Josephson As you wait for your opportunity, prepare, prepare, prepare! Begin to lay groundwork, commit yourself to your success, constantly refresh your memory and research latest developments in your field of interest. Saturate yourself with knowledge about your product or service so that when opportunity knocks on your door, you will recognize it.

Most people miss opportunities because they are not prepared for it. Even if they recognize it, they cannot respond to it or answer call.

"One of life’s painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn’t do our homework, that we were not prepared." Merlin Olsen

Preparation gives you a greater level of confidence, eliminates hesitation and gives you an upper hand in competition. Therefore, "Be prepared" Baden Powell