LOOKING FOR A JOB IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

9 December 2022

Looking for a Job in Another Country

Working abroad is an attractive option if you’re finding your career frustrated by lack of opportunities, affirmative employment barriers, or whatever, but you don’t want to move permanently to another country. You’re likely to earn more, probably pay less tax, broaden your experience, build up capital offshore, have better opportunities to travel.

Providing you have an appropriate qualification and work experience, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to secure a job on contract somewhere else as an “expat.” Companies operating internationally are often on the look-out for employees with reputations for working hard with flexibility, broad-ranging high-level skills, leadership talent, and ability to work comfortably with other ethnic groups.

Contract workers are particularly favoured for new projects because they provide skills only required for a relatively short period (as in construction), or to train local labour (particularly in developing countries). Sometimes a company employs contract workers because it’s unwilling to take on permanent staff, with all its legal obligations to them, until its new business has proved viable.

However, before you go after a job abroad, consider the matter carefully – do you really want to make a major change, live away from family, friends and things familiar in another country with a very different culture and (probably) language?

If you’re determined to give it a try, it’s important to go about it with careful planning. You can find a job either by direct contact with an employer, or through placement agencies and specialist consultants.

The first step is to prepare your “marketing brochure” – a convincing CV. You may wish to get professional advice on this. Remember that how it is read by a potential employer will determine whether or not you get that vital interview.

To create the best impression, keep your CV brief… preferably not more than two pages in length. Maintain a logical and interesting pattern to your personal details, keep the technical terminology to a minimum, and keep it simple. Remember that the reader who makes the final decision about whether or not to employ you may only have English as his or her second language.

Once your CV is ready, you can go about identifying your target companies and drawing up a list. The Internet is an invaluable tool for doing such research. Companies such as Go Abroad, Easy Expat, Go Overseas, Expat Network and ECA International offer data on pay scales, living costs, employment benefits and quality of life. The Global Expat Index, for example, lists the ten best cities for expats to live and work in as Kuala Lumpur, Tbilisi, Lisbon, Dubai, Bangkok, Prague, Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Montreal.

When going after a job, always send your CV to a specific person, If you are not sure whom that should be then phone each company on your target list and find out. You’re probably looking for someone with a title such as Human Resources, Personnel or Recruitment Manager.

If you are lucky enough to speak to someone helpful during your telephonic enquiries, try to get as much information about the company as possible and what job opportunities are available. If the prospects seem favourable, then forward a copy of your CV immediately, following up with a telephone call a few days later. This call could prove invaluable as, even if there is no vacancy at present, you could get an indication as to when one might be available.

Remember the international employment market is subject to constant change and demand for particular skills fluctuates according to economic trends. Companies that were expanding a year or two ago might now be downsizing, having suffered a setback to their profitability.

Don’t anticipate that you will get your job offer quickly, and don’t become disillusioned about how long it takes to achieve your aim. It all takes time, so think in terms of months rather than weeks to make progress.

Its always worth trying to negotiate better terms

When you are offered a job, it’s important to investigate the detail of the package that goes with it. The big multinationals usually have established pay and benefit structures for expats they hire, so there may not be much room for you to negotiate, but it’s always worth trying. With many employers, your skill at bargaining could determine how good is the deal you get.

If you’re wanted to work in an unstable banana republic your bargaining position will usually be stronger. If you’re a South African, for example, you may be more comfortable working in such an environment than, say, an American, Australian or Brit.

Obviously you’ll want a package which will not only bring you substantially much more than you earn in your home country, but also compensate you and your family for the inconveniences such as shipping household possessions and regular trips back home.

It’s important to check the following points:

● What taxes will you have to pay? You may be able to arrange to have part of your remuneration escape tax by being paid into a bank account you open in a tax haven. Perhaps you can get your future employer to pay any taxes on your benefits, or at least to guarantee that you’ll pay no more tax than you would back home.

● Will your pay be sufficiently high to compensate for the higher costs of maintaining in another country the kind of lifestyle that you’re used to?

● Will the employer make any contribution towards your costs of moving household and personal possessions to where you’re going to work?

● Will your pay incorporate a “hardship premium” if you’re going to work in one of the less pleasant countries?

● Will you be offered “rest and relaxation” benefits such as periodic free flights to attractive resorts in other countries?

● What living accommodation will be available? Will it be provided and/or subsidized by your employer?

● Will you have a company car, and if so, on what basis? If not, ask for compensation.

● Medical insurance. This is essential, including emergency transportation to an advanced country if the standard of local care is poor.

● Your employer should be prepared to pay for private schooling for your children, either locally or in your home country.

● What about security? In some locations, if you’re going to hold a senior position, a driver/bodyguard would be advisable.

● Insist on free private use of the Internet so you keep easily in touch with your family, friends, and the outside world.

● If you’re going to hold a senior position, you may be able to insist on pre-departure briefings such as those offered by specialist consultancies.

How successful you are in finding a job abroad, and how it turns out for you, will largely depend on how well you do your planning and structure your personal enterprise.