16
International Employment
In this world of rapid-fire market change, open borders and global expansion offer tantalizing possibilities. Employees now interact across the globe, either in person or using some type of remote tool, and their companies have a real need for new recruits experienced in world affairs. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, a not-for-profit foundation based in Switzerland, 64 percent of employers worldwide consider international experience to be important during their recruitment (Santiago 2015). So, if possessing the “golden key” of international experience is something that has always intrigued you, there is no better time than the present.
According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, as many as 6.5 million U.S. citizens were living and working abroad at the end of 2015. While some of these expatriates were transferred to a specific locale by their employers, for others the decision is theirs alone, and it is not an easy one to make. Ideals and choices about where to live have no doubt been influenced by the media glamorizing travel and living overseas. For example, who could forget film classics like Roman Holiday, featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on their Vespa in Rome; The Great Race, starring Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis; or Julia Roberts’s around-the-world escape in Eat, Pray, Love? Certainly these conjure up images that romanticize living in a foreign land, but what is it really like to live and work there? How could you begin to make this dream a reality?
Choosing the Right PLAN
When setting out on any traveling adventure, the first thing you need to do is plan. This gives you direction and itemizes exactly what you have to do to reach your destination. The same rings true with an international job search; you need to start by creating a job search PLAN: preparation, location, action, and netting the rewards. This chapter will help you find the right path and deliver the fundamentals of how to land an international position.
Preparation
There are no shortcuts to any dream worth having; therefore, the hours and days you spend preparing for your international job search will save time in the long run. Self-reflection is a strong tool that can help crystallize the answers to some very important questions.
Determining the Who
A vital consideration in your preparation deals with your personal situation. If your family is moving with you, there will be a whole different set of challenges than if you are going overseas alone. You have to take into account not only the wants of your family unit, but also the costs and finances, which in the end could actually dictate who accompanies you.
Either way, as with all job searches, your success hinges on support. If you do not have buy-in from your family, especially if you are expecting them to accompany you, then this could seriously hinder the process. Take the time to explore the options with them, as well as presenting how you will gain a unique life experience as a family. Be sure to include every member in the initial decision process to get a clear picture of the pros and cons from their perspective. The Let’s Move Overseas guide in Appendix K has many tips and will assist you in facilitating buy-in from everyone.
Determining the Why
Before choosing where your new adventure will take you, you must reflect on the goals and career expectations you have for your overseas experience. American expatriates have very different reasons for living abroad—there are retirees in Paris pursuing their interest in art by being tour guides; English teachers who use their teaching skills to travel the world and live in different countries; and businesspeople eager to settle in a new country and climb the corporate ladder. But their target is the same: a desire to experience different cultures and enrich their lives.
An effective job target identifies a career path that combines your personal interests with your skills. So, what are some of your choices?
• Do you want to study abroad? Contact an exchange program either sponsored by your college or offered through a reputable student exchange organization to find out which countries are offered for study abroad. Often a student visa provides a great opportunity to work in your field of study while obtaining extra spending money. (The website www.goabroad.com has a variety of information to help you decide which program would be best for you.)
• Would you like to gain a volunteer experience? If money is not a consideration, some of the most rewarding overseas positions are nonremunerated. Examples of such programs include the Peace Corps, Projects Abroad, UN Volunteers, and Doctors Without Borders.
• Are you retired and want to earn money to sustain a lifestyle in another country? Although living abroad in retirement may be your dream, it may not be a fiscal reality. However, a working retirement has become the means for some people to achieve their goal of moving to a new country.
• Does moving up the career ladder in another country appeal to you? The first step you should take is to check with the company you are currently working for. You may find that they have an international office you can transfer to, or that they are planning an expansion to another country.
Once you have a clear target, then you can effectively pursue that goal. Without one, your international job search might become aimless and its results unsatisfying.
Determining the What to Start With
Regardless of your job target, you’ll need to prepare. The U.S. Department of State’s website has a traveler’s checklist, which is a good start. Two additional things you can begin to do to assist in your preparation are learning a new language and learning about cultural differences.
Learning a New Language
If you are moving your job search away from countries that are primarily English speaking, learning a new language is definitely a marketable skill that will help you get an edge on your competition. Did you take Spanish, German, or French in high school or college? This might be very useful if you hope to relocate to Europe or Latin America. Brush up on your language skills by taking a conversational course at a local community center or volunteering with a cultural group to reinvigorate your language skills. If you are more of a self-study and want to learn a brand-new language, there are many apps and websites you can use; for example, Duolingo offers web-based lessons for free.
Another avenue, if you have the financial resources, is to take a month or so and embark on an immersion experience. La Maison Française is one such program that is offered by Canada’s University of Victoria; it is a five-week total immersion program in French. If learning Spanish will serve you best, there are many programs in Mexico, Central and South America, and Spain, depending on your needs and interests. Take a look at the language forums on the websites Go Overseas and the Lonely Planet for more information. Remember that living with a family or studying at a language school in the country you are interested in serves a twofold purpose: learning the language and experiencing life in the country before making a longer-term commitment.
Learning About Cultural Differences
Cultural differences can affect every single part of your search—the job application process, marketing materials, how you interview, and even whether you negotiate your salary. Without understanding the rules of the game in your target country, your chances of successfully securing a new job are not as good as they could be.
To successfully seek a job abroad, research the cultural differences and respect them in every step of the process. The website Expat.com is an excellent place to begin because it gives you access to more than 5,000 blogs written by expats from all over the world; another great resource website is Expat Exchange.
As you prepare to make your dream of working abroad a reality, commit fully to the idea. Don’t worry about opportunities you might be missing back in the United States. Even if you can’t find your ideal position in the beginning, the experiences and insight you gain will definitely act as a stepping-stone to better opportunities.
Location
Narrowing down where, in the vastness of the world, you would like to secure your next career opportunity is paramount. Once you have your job-type target, the locale where you want to move will help frame your efforts and assist in securing the most coveted of international experiences.
Determining the Where
The Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State has an excellent website detailing the conditions of each destination, including visa requirements, safety assessments, healthcare, and a brief overview of local laws. You should also consider your target country’s average salaries, cost of living, safety, and whether your industry is in demand.
Average Salaries
So, how much can you expect to be paid when you move abroad? The following two sources have compiled an extensive list of salaries:
• Payscale uses crowdsourcing and big data technology to compile 54 million individual salary profiles.
• The 2016 “Robert Walters Global Salary Survey” analyzes job data across 24 countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America.
Cost of Living
Being aware of the expenses you could incur while living in your chosen country is also important information to consider when making your choice. Numbeo is a free online database of worldwide indicators that allows you to research cost of living by city or country.
When budgeting, do not forget to factor in the proximity of your new locale to the United States. Will you want to return home on a regular basis for business or family reasons? Having to travel longer distances is not only more expensive, but also more time-consuming.
The final consideration in cost of living surrounds tax implications related to being an American working out of the country. You are a U.S. citizen and the IRS does not care where you are earning your salary; therefore, you will still need to file a return every year. Understanding the tax guide (found on the IRS website) is not that simple, so it’s advisable to consult a tax accountant that specializes in U.S. expatriates.
Is It Safe?
No country is absolutely safe. You need to decide whether your preferred destination has a crime rate that is acceptable to you. The amount of risk you are willing to take will directly affect the choices you make. In addition, every country has its own set of rules, some very different from the United States. What we might take for granted may not be acceptable, or even against the law, in your country of choice.
A great resource is The World Factbook, compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency, which presents detailed country profiles in standard categories, such as geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, and transnational issues.
What Country Has a Need for My Skill Set?
Is your specific skill set in demand in the country you are considering? The online career development website Live Careers has a thorough geographic listing, including job sites organized by country.
Action
In every job search effort, action is what enables a job seeker to land the opportunity, but where do you start? Making the decision to embark on this journey and knowing where you want to go is half the battle. As you have probably noticed, there are some real challenges when looking for a job overseas; however, the PLAN has tools that will help alleviate some of the hurdles. The following are some actions you should take to be successful in your search.
Is Google Your Friend?
When snooping out international opportunities online, using Google is helpful; however, in the massive world of online resources, you could get lost. Try using job search engines instead, which can help refine your search and can actually save you time. Transitionsabroad.com has listed a series of portals organized by global regions that will be very useful as you start your job search. Here is a sample of the portals from their website:
• Africa: CareerJunction.co.za is a searchable job site portal with the majority of jobs in South Africa.
• Asia: JobsDB.com provides job listings for positions across Asia.
• Australia: Jobsearch.gov.au is a government site that lists jobs by occupational category and location.
• Canada: Simplyhired.ca was touted by Canadian Living as the best for one-stop searching.
• Europe: Jobsite.co.uk has extensive listings and sister sites in several other European countries, including France, Ireland, Spain, and Italy.
• Latin America: LatPro.com lists positions in Latin America and the United States for professionals who are bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese. All positions require previous experience.
• Middle East: Bayt.com is an extensive job posting site with positions available across the Middle East.
Growing Your Social Network
Social networks are not just for keeping in touch with friends. The most important tool in your job search, no matter where you are, will always be your professional network. It is not what you know, it is whom you know. This very common saying rings true when looking for an international position, and although you may think you don’t have a network in your target country, there are a few ways you can grow it without too much effort.
Online networking is definitely a way to easily connect globally with decision makers. However, it is very important to choose the right network. LinkedIn is the largest international online professional network, and connecting with individuals and groups through that site is very user friendly (see chapter 6 for more information about LinkedIn). But, there are additional, lesser-known networks you might be able to tap into based on your target country or region.
• VK is the number one social media site in Eastern Europe, beating out even Facebook with more than 100 million active users. The one caveat is that most interaction on the site is in Russian.
• XING is a Western European business network with more than 7 million members.
• QZone is China’s most popular social media site, and with more than 645 million registered users, it is the largest social network in the world.
• Taringa! is a popular networking site with Spanish-speaking users.
• Mixi is a must-use resource if you want to build your network in Japan.
Job Fairs
Another great option is to attend an overseas job fair because in the course of a few hours, you’ll get to meet dozens of employers who may be hiring in your target locale. Attending a job fair in your own city is a good start; you can find a list of international job fairs on the U.S. Job Fair directory. Attend these fairs ready to interview, dressed to impress, and carrying resumes to hand out. Make sure you network and ask questions about any positions available. Even if you do not get an on-the-spot interview, you will start gathering contacts who may be able to assist you in landing an opportunity in the future.
Resume or CV?
Always write your documents with the target reader (and that reader’s cultural expectations) in mind. For example, to apply for jobs in countries with a North American influence, job seekers should create a resume—a short (no more than two pages) summary written with bullet points to describe skills and work experience. (Refer to chapter 5 for more information on resume crafting.) However, a curriculum vitae (CV) is widely used in European countries. This document is longer than the traditional resume, usually more than three pages, and tends to be written using descriptive paragraphs. Very recently, the EU created the Europass CV to help you present your skills and qualifications effectively and clearly. There’s even an online portal to help applicants generate a CV through an online template.
A quick call to the human resources department of your target company or your recruiter can help sort out which format is appropriate to use. Note that what to include in your resume or CV is based on where you are applying; for example, including a photo or indicating marital status is not acceptable in the United States, but is very common in many other countries. Researching these intricacies can ensure that your application is competitive.
Keeping Track of Your Search
Organization is paramount once you start applying to international positions. If you plan to manage your job search on your own, setting up a tracking document in Excel is the easiest way to keep the information at your fingertips. Brighthub has a free Excel template you can use.
You could also decide to use an employment agency. There are thousands of such services worldwide, but most have a fee. They can certainly be worth the money; just make sure you understand exactly what they will be offering and for how much. If possible, talk with a few past clients to find out about how their experiences. Verge magazine has a great listing of job placement agencies across a broad spectrum of job types.
Consider hiring a professional career coach, who can assist with everything from picking your target country to creating winning marketing documents to interview prep and salary negotiations. Although this process can be costly, Career Directors International states that it is money well spent. Before hiring a coach, ensure she has industry recognition, expertise in your target country, and great references.
Interviewing Internationally
Chapter 9 included many great tips for acing your next interview. However, you’ll need to take a few more things into consideration when interviewing for an international job. The Goinglobal website lists interviewing advice in its country profiles, so that is an excellent place to start. Here are a few more things you should consider when preparing for international interviews.
Language
If you only speak English, confirm that your interview will be conducted in English. If not, make sure you have enough verbal ease to portray yourself as professional. Even if your interview is conducted in English, one tip is to greet the employer in their native language. It shows that you’re culturally aware and helps to sell your flexibility.
Time Zones
When scheduling an interview, remember that 6 p.m. in New York is actually 7 a.m. the next day in Tokyo.
Phone vs. Video Call
Wherever possible, use Skype or some other videoconference tool. There is something to be said for being able to see whom you are speaking to. Chapter 9 includes additional guidance on video interviews.
Cultural Differences
Ignoring culture differences can get you into trouble during an interview:
• Keep the interview professional and serious—this is no time to crack jokes.
• Keep your accomplishment statements toned down—you don’t want to come across as boastful.
• Always be conscious of social hierarchies—never become familiar with the interviewer.
Dress Conservatively
Keep in mind that the industry you are applying to will probably have certain dress codes. For example, in London’s business world a suit and tie are prevalent, but as you go into northern England, the dress relaxes.
Always Be on Time
Whether your interview is in person or by phone, don’t be late for your interview. But keep in mind cultural preferences. In some Asian cultures it is extremely rude to not arrive early (15 minutes) for your interview. Compare that with the United States, where arriving more than 15 minutes early to an interview is inadvisable. You definitely do not want to send the wrong message, so make sure you are adhering to the preferences of the country you are interviewing in.
Netting the Rewards
Congratulations! You’ve secured a job! But what do you do now? Once the excitement over landing the job wears off and the reality of the offer sinks in, there are some things you need to consider before signing on the dotted line.
Can I Negotiate?
The short answer is yes, all contracts are negotiable. Before you contemplate a counter-offer, make sure you have something in writing. Treat this as a starting point. In some cultures negotiating is rude, so make sure that is not the case for your position; however, the majority of the business world will entertain a well-thought-out and researched counteroffer.
What Will I Be Paid?
It may sound fantastic to be offered a six-figure salary, but how does that salary relate to the average salaries in your industry? Remember that there are differences in buying power around the world; you do not want to get stuck with a lower standard of living than what you had in the United States. Most industries use location pay when reassigning employees across the world. For example, an executive moving from New York to London can expect a pay hike of approximately 10 percent, due to the increased cost of living in London. If you are working in a country with instability, ensure that at least part of your salary is still paid in U.S. currency.
Compensation Package
The typical expatriate compensation package will include visa requirements, accommodation allowance, relocation costs, healthcare coverage, paid vacation, and an education allowance for children. Try to speak with employees who have been hired previously by the company to get a feel for what they were offered.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements should be discussed with your new employer. Things such as who makes the application, what is involved, who pays, who in the family needs to be covered, and how long it will take need to be cemented before you accept your offer. Many deals have gone sour over not being able to get a visa to work within a country, so make sure you cooperate fully in this process.
Accommodation Allowances
Before you sign your contract, your new employer should be able to offer you a realistic view on housing costs, where to live, and how much of the costs (if any) they will cover. Depending on where you relocate, things such as utilities, domestic help, security services, electric generators, inverters, and water storage and purifiers may be in the realm of what your employer is willing to pay for. Monster.com indicates that some companies incorporate these costs into a foreign-service premium, which is usually between 10 and 15 percent, depending on where you will live (DeZube nd).
Relocation Costs
Relocation costs can include movers, real estate fees (for selling your U.S. property), hotel accommodations, meals, and airline tickets. You may also want to include the cost of employment services to help your spouse find work.
Healthcare Coverage
If you are going to a country where you will not have access to universal healthcare, make sure to bring this benefit to the negotiation table. Healthcare can be one of the most costly items when making the move to a new country and most employers will include it in the package.
Paid Vacation
According to most headhunters, it is very common for your benefits package to offer at least one trip home for you and your dependents. Depending on the seniority of your position, you may be able to request business class travel or multiple trips back to the United States. The number of paid vacation days you receive depends on the country and industry you are working in. Some countries also have mandated paid family leave (maternity and paternity), so make sure you are aware of your rights. Research this before making a counteroffer. The International Labour Organization is a great resource.
Education Allowance for Children
This is an important item if you are moving with children because their education costs have the potential to be very high. An English-speaking private school in China, for example, can cost more than $100,000 a year. The average school fees allowance sits at about $20,000 per year (Botten 2014); in the Middle East employers typically cover upwards of 75 percent of tuition costs (Clarke 2010).
What Will My Work Environment Be Like?
Make sure your work hours and duties are clearly spelled out in your written contract. Not all countries have the same labor laws as the United States, so make sure you have clearly looked into these laws and that they mesh with what you are willing to do. For example, the typical Japanese employee works more than 60 hours a week, but never on weekends. This means they routinely work 12-hour days Monday through Friday.
It is very important to look into the occupational safety and health legislation of your destination to make sure you are not being taken advantage of. The International Labour Organization maintains a database that will help with your research.
Culture Shock
Once the excitement of your new surroundings dissipates, you will soon realize your new locale is different. You’ll notice the little things first; shopping in a grocery store and not being able to speak the language, perhaps driving on the opposite side of the road, or even a slower pace of life. This can lead to culture shock; everyone will experience it to some degree or another. So, what can you do to counteract it?
Learn about your new country. Research the people and their lifestyle. Reach out to various expat social networks and ask questions.
Remember that patience is a virtue and it will serve you well. The more you interact with the people in your new country, the more comfortable you will become. Join a sports team or two, accept any invitations to social events; in short, do anything you can to start integrating into the fabric of your host culture. This will help ease the awkwardness that you are feeling about your new home.
And remember, this does not need to be a permanent move. All jobs are temporary; you moved for this one, and you can move again to find another.
Despite the initial culture shock, many people ultimately find relocation to be a rewarding endeavor. Take the time to reflect on your decision, then move forward with your eyes wide open, ready to experience the change of a lifetime.
Summary
An international job search requires a strong PLAN. The concept of preparation, location, action, and netting the rewards presented within this chapter is a simplified way to structure your efforts to be successful.