Saturday, 10 December 2022
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
Friday, 9 December 2022
THE DAILY RANT
LOOKING FOR A JOB IN ANOTHER COUNTRY
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.
Monday, 5 December 2022
AND EUROPE WILL RISE AGAIN
Sunday, 4 December 2022
THE WORLD'S LARGEST SHOOTING RANGE
WHAT IS BEHIND THE GREAT RESET
Thursday, 1 December 2022
PINK FLOYD comfortably numb
[Verse 1: Roger Waters]
Hello? (Hello, hello, hello)
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone home?
Come on (Come on, come on), now
I hear you're feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again
Relax (Relax, relax, relax)
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child, I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
[Chorus: David Gilmour]
I have become comfortably numb
[Guitar Solo 1]
[Chorus: David Gilmour]
Monday, 28 November 2022
THINGS'LL BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME ... REALLY
Sunday, 27 November 2022
THE CASE AGAINST THE WEST
Saturday, 26 November 2022
IS COUNSELLING A GOOD IDEA?
AGRICULTURAL
Then what happened is that economies started to industrialise, which means moving from fields to factory, from country to town... the development of banks made money available to entrepreneurs, building factories to mass produce things and railways to transport raw materials and finished goods. Building factories, taking people from the country and making them work in factories, living in cities and in mass housing projects, where you are less watched over by your neighbours, they know less about you and you know less about them, and care less, and so lots of funny things can happen when social controls are relaxed.
And then when you live in the city and you are subject to all these demands and contradictions and questions (how many children shall we have? Shall I go out to work too?...), and there are many different and diverse groups living side by side with only an oily curtain to separate them, you have started to experience personal freedom and choice, but you must start thinking for yourself, and at the same time you are stressed as family and friends networks break down, or anxiety levels generally rise as you are alienated from most processes that affect you, ie you lose control of your life, and you expect more from a partner and friends (life partner, lover, business partner, intellectual equal, parent-substitute, amateur counsellor even!...).
YOU
You want to know who you are, you want to know about yourself, you want to understand yourself, you want to know why you have not followed the traditional path in your society and how to actualise your great talent to achieve something of value ... and this is where counselling comes in as the counsellor will be able to explain these things, help you to understand, find and harness your motivation. So a journey of self-discovery and getting the train back on the rails of self improvement.
CONCLUSION
There is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge of self, of social relations and self improvement. Employing a competent counsellor is an effective way to advance this process. It can bring important insights, lasting improvements, greater happiness and inner peace. If shared, it can lead to enlightment and wisdom for all.