The #1 problem of finding work abroad is getting into initial conversations with employers. For most people, the efforts are too high, and the results are too low.

When this challenge is overcome there is another challenge that may seem a bit surprising to some people. It is something I call the “Hope Trap”.

What is the Hope Trap? That is when a job seeker decides to stop looking for work as soon as one meeting is scheduled with one employer.

From the job seeker’s point of view, it makes sense. They have so much weight on their shoulders. The immigration process is time consuming and expensive and risky. Migrants sometimes want the job search to be finished, so when there is a slight chance of getting hired, it is tempting to stop a successful effort and “hope” that this future meeting will result in the perfect job offer.

The way to avoid the “Hope Trap” is to continue job finding until a contract is signed. This is exactly what the employers are doing when they look for candidates.

If you or someone you know is tempted to stop looking for work when a meeting has been arranged with an employer, tell that person to continue because “the game isn’t over until you win!”