I have just moved to a new city with my family. While I can not speak and understand the local language, I also know that English is widely used. However my interviewers think my previous pay was way too high from what they can offer, and the language is going to be an issue. How can I convince them that I'm willing to take a lower pay, and the language is not going to affect what I can offer as an IT professional?
When you face language and salary problems, one way to proceed is to offer your services as an independent contractor. This type of working arrangement removes the need for you to mention your last (full-time job) salary. You can negotiate a fee rather than a salary, which can be determined on an hourly, daily or project basis. This removes the need to talk about a yearly salary figure and helps you overcome the bias that many employers have when interviewing someone who has made more money in the past then they can offer.
At the same time, this strategy allows you to offer very specific services, which you can show are not impacted by the inability to speak the local language. Start off with small contracts to prove you can do the work required. Use each positive experience to obtain bigger and longer contracts. When you have done this for a period of three to twelve months, you will be in a position to begin looking for a salaried position, armed with local references that can attest to your value. Since you have stated that you are willing to take lower pay, this strategy will not be a hardship for you as you build your career foundation in this new area. You may even discover that you like this type of working arrangement and will want to continue working as a contractor/consultant.