International
Internet Job Sites
With the growth of Internet job sites
there has also been a growth in the number
of International Internet Job sites. These
sites are similar to U.S. job sites in
their function and search capability.
A target search on most quality search
engines can produce a number of these
sites. The career center will also have
a listing of sites.
International
Job Search Agencies
There are some companies who work to place
people possessing certain skills and a
desire to work in the country in international
positions. These companies are usually
referred to as placement agencies, headhunters,
temp agencies, recruiters (executive recruiters)
or employment agencies. You can usually
find these companies on the internet through
keyword searches or in directories of
placement agencies. Also look at global/international
phone directories online.
Directories
There are directories published each year
of companies and organizations operating
in certain countries. You can also find
a number of directories online that will
list companies and organizations working
in specific countries. Finding the Chambers
of Commerce within the country is a great
way to find potential emiployers who are
members. If you are looking for printed
directories look for titles such as "Directory
of Multinational Firms", "American
Firms Operating Overseas" and “Foreign
Firms Operating in the United States."
These directories can be found in many
public and university libraries or career
centers and provide a great listing of
companies to begin researching and contacting.
See our library for books.
Publications from the country
(newspapers, magazines, etc.)
Take time to read the publications meaning
newspapers, magazines and others that
are from the country you want to work.
These publications may have job announcements
in them but they will also tell you the
news, current events and what companies
are doing business in the country. This
may help you in identifying potential
employers.
International Job Publications
There are publications produced that list
international job opportunities. These
publications can usually be found in the
career center library or major public
library.
Meta
Job Search Engines
Meta/mega job search engine sites are
not job boards, they instead use technology
to allow job-seekers to search for jobs
through multiple job sites, in the U.S.
and around the world simultaneously. Many
of these searches are keyword searches.
With these specialize search engines you
can search many of the top job banks with
one job search engine. There are a variety
of job search engine
sites that will search all the job sites.
Some search engines capture new job postings.
Internet
Search Engines
You can utilize the search engines like
Google, Ask Jeeves, Metacrawler, Yahoo,
Lycos, and others to do searches for various
job sites and employers in career fields/industries
of your interest around the world. When
going to these sites do a keyword search
by typing in “Jobs in the United
Kingdom, IT Jobs in the UK, Jobs in Belguim,
Jobs in Africa, Accounting firms in Africa,
etc. Do this and other keyword searches.
You will find a great number of sites
listing jobs and providing career field
information. If looking for international
employers search for directories or lists
of accounting firms, IT firms, schools,
advertising firms, hospitals, etc within
the country of your interest.
Company/Organization
web sites
Many companies and organizations who hire
international employees list jobs in the
employment, jobs or career opportunities
section of their website. As you continue
start and continue the job search process
look for companies and organizations in
your areas of interest. If you are interested
in being an Investment Banker then you
should search for investment banks and
companies in the financial sector. If
you are interested in working on Human
Rights issues then you should search for
Human Rights organizations within the
country of your interest. Look for the
Careers, Employment or Job Opportunities
section on the home page or in the About
Us or Contact Us section. If you cannot
find the section there look for the site
index or search area and look for them
there.
Once
you find the Careers, Employment or Job
Opportunities section for these companies
and organizations conduct a keyword and
career field/job category search to find
jobs that match your interest. Once you
find these jobs take time to read the
job descriptions and determine if this
will be a job that you are interested
in and will enjoy. Also take time to determine
if you have the education, training, qualifications
and skills required by the employer to
do the job.
Chambers
of Commerce
Most countries have international chambers
of commerces that represent member companies
in a number of industries in their country.
These chambers can be found online and
will have directories where you can find
employers in the industry. Some of these
sites may also list jobs.
Career
Intelligence: News & Press Releases
News reports and press releases from companies,
non-profits and other organizations are
sometimes great ways to find out about
new job opportunities. News agencies monitor
developments with organizations constantly.
If you read or hear about a company winning
a big international contract then that
usually means they will be hiring new
employees to complete the work. If a particular
company or industry is experiencing strong
profits and increased demand in their
products or services then more than likely
they will be hiring additional employees.
Many
specialized newspapers, magazines and
trade publications cover and report on
certain industries. Monitor major and
specialized news outlets covering industries
of your interest. This way you will stay
abreast of current trends and developments.
You will also find out what employers
to target.
Direct
contact
Employer/Organization directories &
phone books are great resources for information
that can assist in your job search. You
will find contact information for companies
in these resources. Ask for the human
resources department or the department
that interests you and inquire about employment
opportunities.
Career
Centers
In many countries their is a college/university
career center. Go to the college/universities
websites in the country you are targeting
and you may find a large number or resources
to help you find jobs. Many of these Career
Center’s will have a website with
plenty of helpful information and links
to employers. Employers often send jobs
to Career Centers and they are posted
on their sites or within a job board in
the center.
You
may also consider calling to Career Center.
Career Counselors and other support professionals
at the center may be willing to provide
you some guidance in finding jobs in their
country. If you are visiting the country
visit the college/university and its career
center. At the center you can find jobs
and employers in books, journals and other
materials located in the Career Center
library. You can also browse through employer
literature found in the Career Center
library.
Career
Books
Career center, college and public libraries
as well as bookstores always have career
sections where you can find books on the
international job search and directories
of employers in certain industries and
countries. You can use these books to
find niche job sites and employers you
want to target.
Career
Fairs
Career Fairs are held in many major cities
and by colleges and universities throughout
the year. Career Fairs are events where
employers set up booths and have recruiters
and employees tell people about their
company, organization or agency. During
the fair the organizations representatives
discuss job opportunities, collect resumes
and talk to potential candidates. It is
best to research what companies, agencies
and organizations are participating in
the career fair and develop a plan to
target them. Look for companies and organizations
that have operations and employees working
in the country of your interest. Make
sure you have targeted, powerful and persuasive
resume and cover letter for each employer
you want to target.
For
a person going through the process of
searching for a job this is a great way
to meet recruiters and persons working
within the employer and sell yourself
with your 30 second commercial and your
targeted self-marketing materials. As
you walk around you may see other employers
that catch your interest. If so, introduce
yourself, talk to recruiters, and inquire
about the mission and work or the organization.
You can then provide them your resume
and collect literature onthe organization
to find out more about their work, the
industries and various employment opportunities
in the industry/sector. Make sure you
get a business card from the recruiter
and follow up.
Alumni
Alumni from the school or educational
program you are attending or participating
in can be a great resource for information
on employment opportunities in their career
field or place of employment. Many colleges
and universities as well as specialized
learning experience programs keep track
of their Alumni and there current careers.
Contact the Office of Alumni Relations
for Alumni contacts in your field(s) of
interest. Look for Alums who are working
abroad. Since you are attending the same
school or involved in the same program
they will probably be more than will to
provide you information and assist you
during your job search.
Association
& Membership Organizations
For every career field, industry or sector
there is an association or membership
organization that represents its interests
and members working within the field,
industry or sector. These organizations
(i.e. American Management Association,
American Counseling Association, Society
of Human Resources Management, American
Marketing Association, etc.) represent
various career fields and industries and
allow a great opportunity to network and
meet people in the field of interest.
These organizations usually have career
centers on their websites and may even
have guides to careers in that industry.
In the career area you will often find
a job bank where you can search for jobs
from member organizations or others in
the field. They also may have networking
events or seminars/workshops related to
careers in the field.
Some
of the members will be working abroad.
Find out who these members are and connect
with them to find out how they succeed
in getting a job working abroad. Ask them
for any advice and assitance they can
provide in your international job search.
Network
Contacts
Networking is very important in your career
development. Joining professional organizations,
attending professional events, seminars
and job fairs will help you build your
network. Utilize network contacts to help
you find out what opportunities are available
in your field(s) of interest and if there
are an contacts who can help in your international
job search. If you were/are a part of
a fraternity or sorority, a member of
the military, or in some other special
organization (social or professional)
you have a special network through your
affiliation. Utilize these contacts to
help you find out what opportunities are
available in your field(s) of interest.
Professors/Professional
Staff
Many professors or professional staff
will have contacts outside the university
in organizations of interest. Talking
with them about your interests and your
desire to work abroad may yield great
contacts and leads to employment opportunities.
Volunteering
There are many volunteer opportunities
that allow you to work abroad and provide
assistance to people in another country.
You not only give some of your time and
energy to a great cause but you also can
meet some great contacts while volunteering.
This can be a great way to contribute
and gain valuable international experience
while developing contacts that may lead
to employment opportunities with the organization
or elsewhere. Many non-profits and non-governmental
organizations have volunteer opportunities.
Jobs you can do with them can be in a
variety of fields including: technology,
economic developoment, teaching, health
care, communications, public relations,
administrative, legal, investigative,
and many more. Doing volunteer work abroad
is not only a way to give some of your
time and energy to a great cause but it
allows you to connect and build relationships
with some great professional contacts
who will be volunteering as well.
Parents,
Family, and Friends
Share your career interests and desire
to work abroad with your parents, family
member and friends. They may know of contacts
who can help you in your international
job search.
International
Recruiters
International Recruiters are hired by
companies to find qualified candidates
for various jobs. Some recruiters will
have job opportunities from these client
companies posted on there website and
with some you can post or submit your
resume for consideration. There are mainly
two types of recruiters: Contingency Recruiters
and Retained Recruiters. A Contingency
Recruiting Agency does a search on a contingency
basis for a company. The recruiter is
paid upon a successful hire/placement.
The recruiter is responsible for the initial
recruiting, screening and interviewing
and arranges interviews with the candidates
for the client/company. The company pays
either a flat fee or a percentage of the
first years salary. Traditionally, the
jobseeker does not pay a fee.
A
Retained Agency is similar to a contingency
recruiting agency in that the client company
pays the fees. Traditionally, the jobseeker/candidates
does not pay a fee. The primary difference
of a retained recruiting agency is that
the client company pays a retainer fee
to have that company perform a search.
A portion of the overall search fee is
paid upfront and the remainder is due
upon a successful hire. The initial retainer
fee is paid whether or not a placement/hire
is made. Companies use retained search
firms for higher-level positions within
an organization such as CEO, President,
Vice President, COO, CIO, Executive Director,
etc.
Temp
or Placement Agencies
Many companies in more developed countries
use these agencies to hire temporary or
permanent employees. Temporary positions
often times can turn into a full-time
position with the company. The more skills
you have to offer then better the placement.
Some placements might be temporary but
they will allow you an opportunity to
network and gain some valuable experience
to build your international CV or resume.
You will have to have the proper Visas
and work authorizations in order to work.
APPLYING
TO INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYERS
While
doing an international job search you
will see many international employers
will require a CV (curriculum vitae) rather
than a resume. Both are self-marketing
tools and describe your experience, skills,
and achievements but depending on the
country the CV may require certain information
that a resume doesn't. Based on the country
your CV may need to be written or developed
in a certain style or preference. For
example a
CV in Norway should start with your personal
details, including name, address, date
of birth (note that the day, the month
and the year are written densely together,
without blank spaces or dots in between),
your telephone number (with international
access code) and your civil status.
In
Russia CVs are normally handwritten and
very detailed. Russian employers expect
a biography in full sentences, explaining
everything you have done. In the United
Kingdom the British are focused on results,
competencies and competition. This is
clearly displayed in the format of the
British CV in which reached goals, achieved
results and hobbies hold a prominent position.
This is similar to the United States of
America but instead of a CV you write
a resume using ‘power words' that
show accomplishment and action. Bear in
mind that looking for a job in the US
is much like selling a product. You should
present your qualifications, experience
and achievements in a manner that is sharp,
focussed, upscale and aggressive. In some
countries like Singapore a picture/photo
is required along with your CV.
You
will also need to learn the culture of
country and how it effects the way candidates
interview. In some countries you will
need to honor certain traditions or practices
of the culture. The key is to research,
research, research the country, its employers
and the work culture and environment.
VISA
CONSIDERATIONS & OTHER OBSTACLES
A very important part of your international
job search that you must consider is the
visa and employment laws of the country
you want to work in. Many countries require
that the company sponsor you in order
to work but laws vary from country to
country. Find out what the rules are for
working in your country of interest and
make sure you are able to get a sponsor
or some type of work visa or status.
