Work permit processes differ hugely by country, but the skeleton is remarkably consistent, so here is the general anatomy. In most countries the sequence runs: secure a job offer first, because the employer typically initiates or sponsors the application; the employer may need to prove no local candidate was available, a labor market test that exists in many systems; you then compile your document set, almost always passport, degree certificates, employment contract, CV, photos, police clearance, and sometimes medical exams, with many countries requiring documents to be officially translated and legalized or apostilled, which is the step that surprises people and takes the longest; the application goes to the immigration authority or consulate; and after approval you often complete residence registration and biometrics after arrival.
Timelines range from a few weeks in fast systems to several months in slow ones, and document legalization can add months on top, so start collecting paperwork the moment a job looks likely.
Employer sponsorship is the standard route in most countries, yes, but not the only one: several nations offer job seeker visas, points-based skilled migration without a job offer, or freelance and digital nomad permits. The authoritative source is always the destination country's official immigration website or embassy, since third-party summaries age badly.