Working in another country can offer more than increased remuneration and skills set.
Working overseas offers a number of benefits, not just increasing remuneration opportunities but also expanding work skills and professional experience.
Jambo Times looks at the benefits of working overseas and offers a guide when looking for a new job away from home.
Benefits
Here are some of the benefits of working overseas.
- Adds to Resume and Work Credentials Working overseas allows you to experience new work environments and professional practices which can add new skills and knowledge. It can help you learn new languages, skills and other qualifications that can add to your future career. The experience can be added to a resume and help secure a new job or promotion.
- Offers a Wider Cultural and Work Experience Working and living overseas offers the opportunity to experience different cultures and build cultural awareness. Working abroad offers insight to help learn new practices and understand international companies and how they operate. Many companies look for employees with experience in different business cultures as the business marketplace is now so global.
- Improves and Demonstrates Adaptability Improves and Demonstrates Adaptability Getting a job overseas improves your adaptability and independence, both qualities that increase opportunities for promotion and future professional growth.
Considerations
There are a number of considerations when looking for work abroad.
- Economy, Politics, Security and Culture It’s important to prepare yourself for the country’s cultural customs and etiquette as well as personal safety and security. Be prepared for a different work environment or working hours and be adaptable.
- Work Permit and Visas International companies may require you to obtain a work permit or visa to work or even apply for a job with them. Check the country’s requirement for employment and resident visas.
- Different Languages It may be that you can communicate in your own language or you may need to be proficient in another.
- Interviews The interview may not be in person but a video call or telephone interview with a prospective employer.
Looking for a Job Overseas
It takes some effort to get a job overseas, here is a guide how to start.
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- Decide What Job do You Want and Where It’s important to consider the job you would ideally like, the company you would like to work for and the country where you want to live.
- There are many countries that offer international job opportunities, so once you decide the type of job you want, look for a country that makes your choice possible.
- Where to Find a Job and Apply There are a number of places to find and apply for a new job overseas, including:
- Recruitment agencies
- Recruitment fairs
- Social media and networking
- Trade magazines and newspapers
- Online recruitment portals
- Company online applications
- Inter- company job transfers
- Visas and work permits Some employers require applicants to have a visa or work permit to apply for a job or work. It’s therefore important to start the process as soon as possible and in many cases before you move to the country. It could be that the prospective employer needs to agree to sponsor you before you can receive a work permit or visa. Contact the company before applying for more information and check out foreign government embassy sites for more background regarding the immigration process.
- Tailor your resume It’s important to tailor your resume to match the job you’re applying and to reflect the company and cultural environment.
- The job application Create a cover letter to submit with your job application and apply
Some Useful Advice
Sending a resume may not be enough, you may have to research and prepare ahead. Here are some ways to get ahead of other applicants:
- Research the company, the industry and the country
- Follow the media, trade and industry as well as the country
- Travel to the country before you move
- Check out the country’s job sites as well as industry sites
- Apply to the country’s local recruitment agencies
- Use your contacts and friends who may be working in the country of choice
- Expand your professional network by making professional connections to the country of choice
