Working Abroad Advice, Tips, and Options for Searching and Preparing for Careers Outside the United States
Getting Started • Clarify Goals and Motivations for working abroad • What is more important to you? The location or the job? – You may only have control over one of these aspects
• Decide how long you want to stay – Often determined by visas and finances
• Research how far in advance you need to plan – Anywhere from 3 months to one year depending on type of job, visas, and location
Searching for a Job • Very competitive – speaking the native language and having some experience in the industry often is not enough • Must be very motivated and resourceful to find a job overseas • Like in the U.S., work permits are very hard to come by and you must have employer sponsorship to work in most countries. Employers must prove that you are uniquely qualified for the position in order to obtain a work permit on your behalf.
Searching for a job… USE YOUR NETWORKS! – – – –
NU Alumni working overseas (CareerNet, Linked In) Friends/Family Members/Acquaintances NU International Students/Clubs/Professors Seek out and contact American or Canadian Clubs in the country you are hoping to live in – If you’ve studied or interned abroad, contact classmates, co-workers, or professors you met
Conducting informational interviews are a great way to make contacts as well as inquire about potential employment opportunities
Job Search Websites International Job Search Websites may be helpful – – – – – – – – –
Escape Artist Idealist.org Riley Guide Jobs.ForeignAffairs.org GoAbroad.com TransitionsAbroad.com Eurojobs.com Advocacy-Net.com/overseasmks.htm Online newspapers from specific countries
Work Programs International Work Programs that assist with short term permits and placement – InterExchange – BUNAC • Tip: Research employment trends and timing in order to have a better chance of finding a job when you arrive
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ccUSA.com (like BUNAC but also has camp counselor jobs) AIPT (only assists with permits for certain countries) Alliance Abroad CDS International (paid internships in Germany) IAESTE (for engineering and science students) International Cooperative Education Program
U.S. Companies Consider working for a U.S. company, non-profit, or NGO with an international office or focus – Most often, to get an overseas assignment you have to be at the management or senior level in an organization and/or have language fluency and strong knowledge of the country you wish to be placed – Meet with HR or your supervisor to express your desire to obtain an overseas assignment – Some companies, like Baxter Healthcare, Cognis, McKinsey, and ING, have development and training programs with international rotations
U.S. Government The U.S. Government has many departments with international positions. For example: – Department of State and the Agency for International Development • Foreign Service is an option, but very competitive • Consider the AID internship program, the Student Career Experience Program, Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellowships, or the Presidential Management Fellowship Program to get experience and make contacts
– Peace Corps – U.S. Commerical Service • Offer internships overseas
International Companies Consider working for an American branch of an international company – You may be able to use your international contacts within that company to secure a job transfer overseas
Miscellaneous Jobs – Self Employment: In some countries (e.g. Germany) you may be able to obtain a “selfemployed” work permit if you write, translate, lead tours, etc. and can prove you are able to support yourself financially – Stringer: If you are a strong writer and are going to be traveling/living in another country, consider applying to be a stringer (freelance journalist) – Au Pair: If you like working with children, there are several programs to place you as an au pair overseas
Miscellaneous jobs continued… • • • •
Club Med Cruise Lines Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Camp Counselor – For short-term opportunities, you can either be hired directly by a camp overseas or work with an American camp (e.g. Putney Student Travel) as a travel counselor and take students on international trips
• Agricultural Positions – e.g. Agriventure and Harvest Trail
• Archeological Fieldwork – e.g. Archeological Institute of America
TEACHING ENGLISH – Teaching English is one of the best ways to obtain a long-term international work placement without a lot of experience or language fluency – TEFL/TESL certification is not necessarily needed – Programs: • • • • •
JET (Japan) Aclipse (staffing agency) AEON CIEE French Teaching Assistantship Program
TEACHING If you have a teaching degree or teaching experience, you may qualify to teach in schools overseas – Department of Defense Schools – Overseas American Schools (through Department of State) – International School Services – Fulbright Teacher Exchange – Schools for the children of business men and women working overseas sponsored by American companies
To consider…
When looking for a long term job without a sponsoring program, actually being in the country can help – You may want to consider an unpaid internship or volunteer opportunity in order to make connections and get experience in a country where you want to work • For international internships, consider AIESEC, Greenpeace, and Catholic Relief Services • For volunteer opportunities, read or search “Alternatives to the Peace Corps”
– If you are planning on attending graduate school and would like to work overseas upon graduation, consider attending graduate school in another country – Also consider international fellowship opportunities. Research opportunities at NU’s Office of Fellowships – REMEMBER: If you go to a country on a visitor, student, or nonwork visa, you often have to leave and come back on a work visa if you obtain employment
How to prepare yourself now for a job overseas • • • • • •
Become fluent in another language Study, Intern, or Travel Abroad Intern for the international division of a U.S. company Join clubs or student groups related to the international field Read trade magazines and join international associations Do informational interviews with professionals in your field of interest who have worked abroad • Interview people who have lived in the country you would like to live in • RESEARCH! – Potential employers or programs, job search process, work permit regulations, and geographical location
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Start saving money
Personality Characteristics Needed to Work Overseas • • • • • • • • •
Positive Attitude Thrive on Change ADAPTABLE and Flexible Sensitive to Cultural Differences Patient and Perceiving Good Sense of Humor Adventurous Street Smarts Ability to be alone and personal coping skills
Once you have found a job you want to apply for, RESEARCH employment customs for that country • Resume or CV? – How do you express your degree on your resume? – How long should it be? – Do you include personal information? – Should you include a picture?
• Do you need a cover letter?
Before you go, take care of… – Passport – Visa: needed for some countries – it would be wise to get one before you leave the U.S.) – Work Permit: GoingGlobal.com and workpermit.com provide information on work permits and visas for different countries – Health Concerns: Do you need immunizations? Insurance? – Budgetary Concerns: Make sure you have enough money to support you if you are not able to find a job right away
Great Resources • The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas (can be accessed on UCS’s homepage) • International Jobs (in the UCS library) • Dickinson College career services website (has a great section on working abroad) • University of Michigan website (international center page) • TransitionsAbroad.com • GoAbroad.com