How to Get a Job in Another Country

Living overseas is a dream for those who would like to experience a different lifestyle. While acquiring a visa and work permit in a foreign country is difficult enough, finding work in an unfamiliar territory can be even more challenging, especially when a particular country has a high unemployment rate. Luckily, there are a variety of techniques that can be used to increase a job seeker's chances of landing an overseas job.

Things You'll Need

• Resume
• Education credentials

Instructions

1. Research the country to which you are planning to move, and find out what skills are in demand there. Many countries will take care of your travel and lodging if they find that you have a skill set they are seeking. Check foreign newspapers on a regular basis to get a sense for the type of work that is available. International trade journals are also valuable in this search.

2. Attend a university and fulfill the necessary requirements for a degree. Like in your home country, educational credentials will help make you more marketable in other countries. Some degrees, such as engineering, are very transferable and in demand throughout the world.

3. Acquire foreign language skills in the native language of the country in which you would like to work. While your own native language might open some doors for you in a foreign country, not being able to speak the native language of the country will also close doors. The better your mastery of the foreign language, the better off you'll be.

4. Learn about job services abroad. Contact professional organizations, alumni organizations, job sites, recruiters and international job fairs. Job search engines such as careerbuilder.com and internationaljobsites.com will help you locate job openings, and websites that can further your job search.

5. Work for a company in your native country that does business in another country, and try to get a transfer overseas--even if just on a temporary basis. Once you are living abroad, you will be in a better position to network with professionals and find a permanent position to your liking. If you would like a permanent position with a company in your native country that deals overseas, consider working for an international bank, import-export company, manufacturer or insurance company.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have foreign language skills, jobs in tourism or the export industry are areas in which you should focus. You can also teach foreign languages. English is still a language in high demand.

• Universities often run student exchange programs that set students up with work overseas.

• Many foreign newspapers and journals can be found online.

• According to Katharine Brooks, Director of Liberal Arts Career Services at the University of Texas at Austin, most American businesses do not send very many Americans abroad and instead hire within the country they are located.

References

• Quint Careers: Landing an International Job
• Weeno: How to Get a Job Overseas
• CNN Money: How to Get an International Job

Resources

• Job Serve
• Career Builder International Search
• International Job Sites