What
documents do I need to have when applying for an
overseas job?
Should I send
original documents to a potential overseas employer?
You will, of
course, need a passport. If you have received a degree,
make sure you have it - and sealed (official)
transcripts.
If you have
taken any kind of specialized training related to the
type of work you are seeking, have your certificate(s)/diploma(s)
ready. Prepare a good generic cover letter to change
for each specific employer. Keep copies of your resume
handy as well.
Send Copies,
not Originals
Employers
will ask for your documents in the application process.
Try not to send originals - certainly not in the early
stages. There will be times once you are offered - and
have accepted - a position when you may need to part
with your originals. If at all possible, do not part
with originals - send the copies. Things do get
lost. And something that seems VERY important to
you - may not seem very important to a personnel clerk
on the other side of the world.
Avoid
Blackmail
Some
potential employers may ask for your documents, pending
your hire, and then significantly change their offer,
once they have all your originals. Some will claim
to have "lost" your documents. Don't allow
yourself to get caught in such a situation. Every
university and most training/certification schools will be happy to issue,
for a reasonable fee - additional originals.
Order and keep spare copies of your transcripts as well
(if you have a degree). Sure, the cost adds up a bit -
but you will never be stuck or held hostage by an
employer.
The author
keeps extra originals of everything. Who knows? He
might accept a couple job offers at one time some day,
and take the one that really comes through.
Passport
Just the
author's opinion - but never give your passport
to anyone except an embassy or immigration official.
That said, there may be times when you might need to do
so. Just keep track of who has it, why, and how long it
will be until you get it back. When I worked in Saudi
Arabia it was a standard practice for employers to
hold your passport. Kind of weird and scary - but so it
was. You could either quit or give it to them. I chose
to give it to them and save some serious money for five
years. In those five years they kept everyone's
passports in a big heavy safe and I never heard of any
problems.
Other
Documents
Such an odd
array of things can be asked of you, that it is hard to
completely prepare ahead of time. You may be asked for
a local police clearance (that you are not a "wanted"
person) or a wide variety of medical clearances (many of
which you will often have to do again when you get
there!).
Be patient,
provide what they ask, it will all work out. You won't
be the first person to be scared or intimidated by the
mountain of paperwork required. Personally, I always
wonder if I can get through all of it! But I always do.
