Take a look at the top international job search tips below before you start packing your bags:
Find Your Ideal City
You may have a destination in mind already, but if not, you need to think about why you would be considered an asset in a certain region. Foreign language skills are obviously a good first step, but if you plan to apply to a job in a different country directly, you need to ask yourself where your background and skills are likely to attract potential employers most.
For example teachers wishing to teach in the UK should take a look at Tradewind Education for support in every step of your journey.
Vicki Salemi, Monster’s career expert, says that your expertise can be valued by the locals in certain industries. For instance, fashion; some of the major global hubs are Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Milan. If you had a great internship at a New York based fashion house, a fashion start-up in Milan might covet that experience, Vicki says.
Get Clued In
Simply because you are stateside, it does not mean that you cannot stay up-to-date on a certain international job market. Salemi recommends getting really plugged in. She says that you need to follow the latest international news to keep up with what’s happening. Perhaps a company has just laid off 500 people, so you should consider avoiding applying there. Or perhaps there’s a sudden tech boom in a particular area.
Launch Your International Job Hunt
Once you narrow down your options to a region or country, start looking for international jobs. You can even check out specific overseas sites such as France or the United Kingdom. Once you identify a company that you would like to work for, find out what others have to say about it at Kununu, which is an employer-review website with extensive international business coverage.
Try Getting a Foreign Transfer
Companies often have programs for sending employees abroad, so you can look for a job at one such firm. Salemi says that one of the best ways to get a job overseas is doing something referred to as a rotational assignment. Big companies such as Deloitte are known to offer 2- to 3-year assignments at international offices. The company takes care of your visa, moving logistics and costs, as well as your taxes. She also adds that the company will help you find a good apartment, set up your cable, and get an international driver’s license i.e. all that goes along with a huge move.
Localize Your Resume
Ensure that your keywords match with the local language. Salemi says that computers cannot find misspelled words, so if you are applying to jobs in the United Kingdom, you need to change words like ‘Center’ to ‘Centre’. If you are fluent, translate the resume to the language where you are applying.
Convince Employers You Are Worth It
The greatest challenge to winning a position in a different country is proving to the hiring manager that it is worth it to hire somebody from a different country. Your cover letter is the first place where you should sell yourself, says Salemi. She says that you need the prospective employer to know that you are in the United States currently, but you plan to relocate to their city and then tell them why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
Tell your prospective employer that you are willing to do whatever it takes to have a face-to-face interview. If the company has a U.S. office, offer to visit the local office. The important thing, above all, is to market yourself as you would here i.e. letting them know why you are the most suitable person for the job.
Tap Your Network
If you previously worked or studied abroad, ensure that you use any resources that your former school or employer has to offer. Even if you never studied abroad, find out whether your alma mater has a global alumni network to aid your job search. Salemi says that these people can be excellent resources for finding accommodation. Reach out to your whole network of family and friends since you never know whether somebody has a contact at a foreign company.
Adjust to their Time Zone
It is you that needs the job, so you must be flexible and match your schedule to that of the employer and not the other way around. If they are only available to interview at 2 a.m. local time, that is when you will have to do it, but be mindful of the holidays, says Salami.
Perfect Your Skype Skills
You probably will not be jetting around the globe for interviews, which is why you need to ace a Skype interview. Ensure that you use a neutral background, test your camera, and look as polished as you would in person regardless of what time of day or night it is.
If you are fluent in a certain language, you must be ready to show it. Not only might you be asked to speak in the foreign language, but you may also be required to undertake a language test, so be ready for this.