International Job Search Tips
Interning and Working Abroad
Each year, the interest in seeking international post-graduation and summer opportunities has grown among Bentley students. Some seek an interim work experience abroad before attending graduate school or entering the U.S. job market, while others seek a long-term overseas assignment as part of an international career. We understand the process of searching for an international job can be difficult and frustrating. This tip sheet is designed to help you maximize your time and minimize your aggravation throughout the search process by suggesting resources and strategies that have been helpful to Bentley students seeking international opportunities in the past.
Lead-time
Start early! Give yourself enough time to conduct your international job search. International opportunities take much longer to find than domestic jobs. And, if you find you are not getting the results you are looking for while you are in the states, you may have to travel to your desired work location to continue your search. Once you are there, it may take up to six months before you obtain a position.
Research! Research! Research!
As with any job, knowing about the company and industry is important. With an international job, knowing about the country and its culture is extremely important. Gather information by researching a variety of sources: trade publications, journals, professional associations, and electronic bulletin boards. An excellent source for finding company information is on Kompass Business Search (www2.kompass.com/kinl/en/), a company information site, which includes general information for major international companies. GOINGLOBAL is another excellent resource that can give you access to over 100,000 international internships and job openings. To access GOINGLOBAL go to: www.bentley.edu/career-services.
Start Networking
After you do your research and have a grasp of key issues and trends in the country you are interested in pursuing, you should get connected to FalconNet (www.bentley.edu/falconnet) and communicate with fellow students and alumni who have a connection with that country.
Most jobs are found through contacts - professors, family, friends, chambers of commerce, professional associations, and international students. Let everyone know you are planning to work abroad. Ask if they can refer you to people who own international businesses or have experience working abroad – people with whom you can conduct informational interviews.
Experience Required and Language Skills
Success in the international job market depends mostly on the critical skills you developed through previous work experiences and the relationship of those skills to the job market where you are applying. In addition, knowing the local language of where you intend to work will go a long way in helping you secure a job. Remember, you are not only competing against other U.S. students interested in working abroad, you are competing with local candidates as well.
Work Permits and Visas
For a paid internship or job abroad, you will also need to secure a work permit or visa. This is relatively simple in some countries but difficult in others, depending on how long you plan to work and whether it is part of an academic program. For specific visa requirements, contact the embassy of the country in which you plan to work.
Go to http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html for an on-line list of travel requirements.
“Internationalizing” your Resume and Cover Letter
Don't rely on your brief, American-style resume for an international position. International employers often want a much more in-depth curriculum vitae (CV) from applicants. For more information on creating a CV check out our Creating A Curriculum Vitae handout or go to: http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/curriculumvitae/. However, your existing resume may serve you well if you are applying to an international location of a U.S. company.
Types of Work Abroad Programs
There are five types of special programs that will help you find placements in specific jobs (paid or unpaid) along with a work permit. Work abroad programs are limited in duration, lasting from two weeks for short-term volunteer programs to two years for teaching abroad programs. Read on to find out more about your various options.
- International Internships. Internships offer the most direct connection to international careers and are available in a wide range of locations and disciplines. Internships are usually for academic credit (they charge tuition); paid internships are rare but not impossible. The typical duration for an internship is one semester.
The Office of Education Abroad, located in the Adamian Academic Center (AAC), offers International Internship experiences in Ireland, Belgium, and England. For more information go to:
http://www.bentley.edu/undergraduate/academics/special/abroad.cfm
- Short-Term Paid Work Abroad. Typical types of short-term paid work abroad include: restaurant work, temping, hotel, pub, bar, sales, and childcare (au pair). Short-term work abroad programs for students or recent graduates offer the best chance for you to earn money while abroad; however, there are up-front costs for program fees, airfare, and initial spending money. Programs are located primarily in Europe, with a small number of other locations. The typical duration is up to six months.
Check out these international exchange organizations, which develop and administer these programs for undergraduate students. For more information visit BUNAC: www.BUNAC.org
- Volunteering Abroad. Volunteers usually work and live together with local citizens. Types of work range from archaeology digs to social services in locations worldwide. Volunteering is excellent career preparation for those interested in working in developing countries or careers with non-governmental organizations. One of the largest international volunteer organizations is the Peace Corps. For more information visit www.peacecorps.com.
- Teaching Abroad. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL or ESL) is one of the most accessible options for long-term (one to two years) working abroad. Most programs require a college degree. Jobs are typically in Asia or Eastern Europe (few such jobs are available in Western Europe for Americans). Experience in tutoring or teaching is recommended. Additional teaching abroad options are available for those with teaching qualifications at the K-12 or university level. One of many resources is www.teachabroad.com.
- American Multinationals. There are many U.S. companies that have offices located throughout the world. Is it possible to get a job with one of those companies and be placed in an office out of the country? Yes this is a possibility. Will it happen right away? Not likely. When you are hired into a multinational company, most likely you will spend at least two years in a U.S. office before it will be possible for you to be sent overseas, so be realistic with your goals. You may have to “pay your dues” first. You also need to make sure when you are interviewing for a position within one of those companies that you are more interested in the company than the possibility of being relocated overseas. To identify U.S. companies in various countries, refer to The Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries available in the Career Resource Center.
Recommended Resources
You will find thousands of international job search sites on the Internet. For your convenience, we have put together a list of links to assorted resources to help you get started. Go to our Working/Living Abroad resources page located under the Sites by Major/Interest section on the Undergraduate Career Services Website. You will also find a work/volunteer/intern abroad links page on the Education Abroad website.
