Defining “International” in Overseas Careers

Before you start search for an overseas career you need to define what you are really looking for. The way you work internationally will depend on your personal situation and interests. So-called overseas careers come in all sizes, shapes and forms. You can be surprised to realize that in fact, more than 70% of all overseas careers are located in the United States.

Here are some categories of overseas careers based on primary location with examples of employers within those categories:

Live in your home country, and

Work with people of another culture:

• Social service organization which helps new immigrants.
• Multicultural or international student advisor at a college or university.
• Translator or interpreter of foreign language.

Work for an international company (which may or may not involve travel) i.e.:

• Guinness PLC (British).
• Nestle (Swiss).
• Toyota (Japanese).
• Bayers (German).
• Colgate (American)
• Coca-Cola (American)
• Pepsi-Cola (American)

Work for a foreign organization, traveling occasionally:

• Buyer for a major department store.
• International Education Coordinator for a foreign college or university.
• Foreign banks and insurance companies with international offices.
• Foreign consulting, engineering, law or accounting firms.

Maintain communication with other countries, without necessarily traveling:

• Import/Export businesses.
• Government positions.
• Teach.

Live in a foreign country, and

Work as a volunteer for a foreign volunteer organization

Work for a foreign-owned business or school

• Teach English as a second language in the JET program.
• Work as an engineer, consultant or other professional for foreign company.
• Work as an "Americanizer" in a British publishing firm.

Work for an American business overseas:

• Disneyland Paris, France.
• American engineering or mining firms i.e. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc in Indonesia.
• Ford in Germany.
• American accounting or law firm with offices abroad.
• Coca-Cola.
• Pepsi-Cola.

Work for the American government:

• Foreign Service position.
• US Army and Air Force Exchange (civilian positions at military bases worldwide).

Careers that involve constant international travel:

Careers in the transportation or travel industry, particularly:

• Cruise ship worker.
• Tour guide.
• Pilot.
• Sailor.

Ways to pursue your international interests regardless of your career:

You can keep your international perspective through:

• Volunteer work. Work as a volunteer for an international volunteer institution.
• Participating in international exhibits and programs.
• Joining international clubs or international organizations.
• Visiting museums, art galleries and shows.
• Attending to local ethnic festivals.
• Keeping free membership or search for overseas careers at international jobs search websites.

CVs & Resumes Used in Overseas Careers Search

The world over employers looks for the same qualities in their applicants regardless of whether the job is in the USA, Poland or Hong Kong. Applying for a job abroad differs from country to country. Candidates should be aware that there might be subtle conventions associated with the international CVs and job application processes within different countries. Therefore, if you want your job application to be taken seriously, you must consider national differences correctly.

As you can see from the above table the majority of countries, except the strike-through countries like Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand and the USA use CVs instead of resumes. Even in South Africa calling CV a resume becomes more popular. In China and New Zealand, both a CV and a resume, are used interchangeably without any influence on they structure and function.

You may search for overseas careers right now, but when you find one you must apply immediately with your current CV or resume. We recommend that you have your cover letter ready too. So, do not forget about our resume writing, CV writing and cover letter writing advices.

Before you start searching for jobs you need to prepare your resume or CV and cover letter.

for CVs:

• automated CV builder or
• human CV writing services

for resumes:

• "fill in the blanks" resume writing computer software,
• automated resume builder or
• human resume writing service

Most recruiters expect to receive a cover letter together with your resume or CV. So, prepare a cover letter convincing the reader why you are the best candidate for the interview. If you have a difficulty with your cover letter writing use one of these:

• "fill in the blanks" computer software or
• human cover letter writing services.

When your job application consisting your job cover letter and resume or CV is completed you are ready to submit your resume to employers and job recruiters in places where you want to work.Then, you need to prepare yourself to win at interviews and get the job you want.

Other Overseas Careers Info

In addition, on job search, cover letters, CVs & resumes, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.

Good luck with your overseas careers!