How
do I find a job overseas?
How quickly can I
find work overseas?
Head to the
discussion boards (again!) and find their links to
popular job sites. Ask on the boards what the common
requirements are for most jobs - and ask what is
required in terms of previous education and/or
training. Ask what is usually required on a resume.
Resumes
In Asia,
for example, many countries will want your photograph
attached to your resume. They may also want information
about your marital status and age and sex - all things
that are improper in some countries - yet if absent from
your resume in this part of the world - your resume and
letter of application may end up in the trash can.
Job
Search Strategy for Working Overseas
For many
countries it is possible to line up your first job from
your home country. Sometimes, you will hear on the
discussion boards, it is better to go there and make
in-person contacts. No doubt you can find better work
and rule out problem situations better on the scene -
but for many people it can be too expensive or even too
scary to head overseas without a contract in their
pocket.
Setting up a
Job before You Go
This is
quite possible and the author has arranged quality jobs
in Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Korea before actually going
there to work. Your chances of having a problem
increase though if you are not on the scene so be sure
to review the section on this website about things to
know before you go and questions to ask before
accepting a job.
Recruiters
Many people
equate them with Satan, but my second overseas job was
organized by a recruiter. And, yes, I had problems with
that job. But the recruiter solved them all and even
got me a better job (my first college/university job)
when things couldn't be repaired. Again, review the
section on things you should know before you go, to
limit potential problems.
How quickly
can I find work?
This depends
on you, your specific skills, the country you want to
work in and the companies you are applying to. If
you have a degree and are interested in teaching English
overseas in China, Japan, or Korea. You can probably be
on your new job within only a few weeks.
But . . .
take your time, investigate and learn all you can before
you make a final decision.
Some jobs
will take longer. Countries that have smaller job
markets or intensively screen applicants can take weeks
or even months for some of the best jobs.
The author's
job in Saudi Arabia probably took almost a year from his
initial inquiry - to arriving on the job. But the
money was well worth the wait.
