International Information for Job Seekers

Working abroad sounds like an adventure to many people. However job search requires more than just the obvious CV & resume writing and translation, it requires thorough preparation. You will experience problems that probably did not even come to your mind when you decided to find overseas employment.

Do not take too lightly the influence they can have on the effect of your adventure! For instance, you will experience the unusual immigration rules and practices, strange job application procedures, new candidate selection criteria and different management cultures.

Most visits to foreign countries are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers like restaurants, hotels, clubs and shopping areas. You should exercise a high degree of caution due to the deteriorating security situation.
Criminal activity, as well as demonstrations and occasional protests, remain a concern throughout a number of countries. In recent years, many authorities have carried out a number of investigations and operations against drug-related crimes and terrorist networks.
Monitor local news broadcasts and consular messages. Ensure that your travel documents and visas are current, valid and secured in a safe place. Carry a photocopy of your travel documents in lieu of the originals. Maintain a low profile, vary times and routes of travel, and exercise caution while driving. Making local contacts quickly and seeking support from other expatriates will greatly increase your comfort and safety.

The most valuable skill in the international job search is researching

If you do not know, what you want to do or where you want to work, research can help you clarify and narrow your goals.

If you know, what you would like to do and where you would like to do it, research it to see how to proceed if your idea is feasible.

You should be prepared to take a foreign country as it is with all of its difficulties, contradictions and challenges. Research the prospective host country’s cultural and business practices so, on an interview, you can make a good first impression.

In recent years it becomes increasingly popular to join the LinkedIn or Facebook social networking websites for professionals, where you may search for jobs and have your keyword-optimized, rich content profile with current CV/resume. Hiring managers use them more frequently to consult your profile and supplement or check against the CV/resume you send along. If you do not have an account, create one and include your social media link(s) on your CV/resume.
However, you should manage your online presence. Eliminate any photos and statements that could reflect poorly on you. From an employer’s point of view, someone who emphasizes partying on a social networking site is not focused on jobs and those who post complaints about work or colleagues are less desirable candidates. The online CV/resume should not include sensitive information as it could show a lack of respect for confidentiality and discretion.

Interviews starts often with some informal small talk. Try to demonstrate some knowledge of history, politics, geography, economy and culture of the host country. Interviewers, greatly appreciate such knowledge.

During an interview, you need to show that you are flexible, culturally sensitive, able to adapt to new circumstances and cultures and that you possess some perseverance and motivation (for the job, not the location!).

Therefore, if you want your job application to be taken seriously, you must consider national differences correctly.

You may search for international jobs by selecting the keywords like a job, industry or company and location like a city, province, state, zip or postal code.

The job search engine searches for jobs on all of the major job boards, newspapers, niche industry and corporate job sites.

Remember that your CV/resume must be targeted, scannable and generate hits. If you have difficulty with your CV writing or resume writing instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, use CV samples and CV templates, resume samples and resume templates.

Most recruiters expect to receive a cover letter together with your CV or resume. So, prepare a cover letter convincing the reader why you are the best candidate for the interview using cover letter writing tips.

After completion of your job application, resume or CV and cover letter you should submit them to employers and job recruiters in places where you want to work.

Other International Information

To be successful in your job search and get the jobs you want, you need to prepare a cover letter and CV or resume which you must email instantly to the prospective employers selected during a job search.

When you receive an invitation to the interview, you may apply for a visa and work permit. Then prepare yourself for a job interview and take a look at the dress code because how you dress is one of the most important attributes in being hired.

Check the job interview dos & don'ts and other job search skills pages. Find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

In addition, on job search, visas, work permits, cover letters, CV & resume, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.

Good luck with international information!