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5 Tips for an International Job Search
by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com
There are many considerations when launching an international job search. You need to think about including what you want to do versus what opportunities are available, who are your potential contacts, where to look for potential openings, and how to apply for jobs. Here are a few tips you may not have considered:

1. Understand your competition. When searching for a job as an expat in another country it would be helpful to remember that your competition will mostly likely consist of locals. There are many foreign-educated localscompeting for the best jobs in most countries; even though there may not be many expats in the market, and despite the fact that in some countries scores of locals may be leaving the country to pursue better lives abroad, there is still a good base of qualified locals to fill the best positions.
2. Be prepared to negotiate in a culturally-appropriate way. Getting things done in some countries can be tricky. Negotiating can come in handy when dealing with government employees and tough employers. Just be careful not to cross the line; cash is often considered a bribe, but gifts may be appropriate in some countries and cultures. Learn the culturally-appropriate ways to negotiate in your destination country, including how to communicate appropriately, how to ask for someone’s time, how to negotiate a salary, and how to find out about job openings. You can find some information online, such as at Kwintessential, for tips on how to do this.
3. Create a solid network of contacts. The old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is very applicable in most countries. Meeting people in a new country can be challenging, but in most cases, there should be no shortage of chances to make contacts. You can most likely find exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and roundtable discussions open to the general public. Finding them is relatively easy if you know how to connect with the expat and professional community. Attending the events is a perfect opportunity to make new professional contacts on neutral turf. Expat Women has an excellent list of expat groups around the world.
4. Know the business environment. More and more international companies and organizations are entering into emerging markets, creating opportunities for expats and locals alike. Stay connected with what has been happening through the Chambers of Commerce in the country.
5. Market your expat status. As an expat you have certain qualities and skills that will be valuable to many companies. Your knowledge of the business environment in your home country could be very useful in another country. Your language skills or university education can be very attractive to potential employers, and your different take on business, ethical, cultural, and political issues will certainly help your colleagues to develop a more well-rounded view of the world. Living and working in another country will allow you to learn and teach at the same time.
We’d like to hear from you! What tips do you have to share with others on an international job search?
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JOB SEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Morocco
Surviving During Tough Economic Times
by Amanda Antara
In a global economy, one country’s economic downfalls are felt the world over. With major multinational companies established in Morocco, things are no different. However, life in Morocco provides many advantages to doing well with limited means. Here are a few tips and tricks to finding a job and living well in Morocco.

Start the Job Search Before You Arrive
Look and apply for jobs before arriving to Morocco. There are many websites, such as www.anapec.ma, that allow users to search and apply for jobs from anywhere in the world. In Morocco, things tend to move slowly and it may take months before a call comes in for an interview.
Submitting your application from abroad gives job seekers a head start in the job hunt and limits the amount of time spent in country without employment.
You’ll need to have a reliable internet connection and check in on leads often. Follow up with employers by visiting their website for contact emails and phone numbers. Employers might hesitate to call an international phone number, so show them you are willing to invest in your future by making the call. Also, let them know you are reachable by email or via computer phone programs such as Skype.
You can also network from abroad with social networking online sites such as LinkedIn,Yahoo groups and Ning.com networks. Search groups by interest area, region you plan to live or career field. Once you join the group be active and ask for resources. Tell the group members you are job seeking and what type of employment you are looking for. Their connections may lead you to a job opportunity.
Live Where Expats Live
Casablanca, Marakesh and Fes have the highest expat communities in Morocco. Where there are expats there are opportunities. Higher concentrations of expats are most likely due to job opportunities in those cities as opposed to smaller towns and rural areas.
Casablanca is the commercial capital of Morocco with hundreds of multinational corporations operating in multiple languages. The chances for finding a high paying corporate job are better here than in Rabat where most business is government-centered. Marakesh and Fes are booming tourism centers for the country so jobs in this sector are more plentiful.
Places with higher concentrations of expats also give more in country networking opportunities as well. Take advantage of expat gatherings and be vocal about what you’re looking for. Ask other expats how they found work and if they have any connections and advice. Provide them with a way to contact you as well as getting contact information to follow-up with them after the event.
To find out about social events, check with your local embassy for social and professional groups and ask about popular expat hangouts. In Fes, try the popular Café Clock where many expats like to hang out and meet up.
If You Don’t Speak a Second Language, Learn One Before You Go
While some opportunities do exist for English-only speakers in Morocco, they are mainly limited to teaching English and call center jobs. Learning French or Arabic will open up a host of opportunities to job seekers interested in working different sectors or opening their own business in Morocco.
If you have to choose one, French is more commonly used in business especially in correspondence even when Arabic is the language spoken around the office. It will be just as useful negotiating around town as many people in Morocco speak French in addition to Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect.
Many people use a down economy to go back to school to learn a new skill or trade or earn a higher degree. Join the legions of new students and enroll in language classes at a local community college or university. Plan to continue language studies when you arrive in Morocco through private schools or language centers if needed.
Live Cheap. It’s easy in Morocco!
In Morocco, it’s relatively easy to live within a very limited budget. From housing options to fresh food availability and transportation, a person can get by on limited means.
There is a variety of housing available for both rent and purchase in Morocco. Additionally, rental agreements are much more flexible than typical leases in other countries. In fact, some landlords prefer shorter leasing terms when it comes to apartment rentals.
In the beginning, rent a bare bones apartment and buy only the furniture you must have to live. Once you find work and are more financially stable you can move to a nicer apartment or villa with better accommodations and buy more furniture. A very basic apartment can be rented for as little as $125 USD.
When it comes to food, shop at the souks instead of the pricier supermarkets. You can get fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, eggs, yogurt, beans and spices for 25-30 DH (about $3-4 USD). You can make sandwiches, salads, omelets and bean dishes and you’ll be eating a healthy, balanced diet at the same time.
Take the bus instead of taxis. Sure, taxis in Morocco aren’t all that expensive, but a 12 DH ride to the city center is only 3.5 DH on the bus. The savings are immediate and add up quickly. The bus systems in the major cities are relatively easy to learn and quite reliable.
Wrap-up
There are many ways to survive and thrive during a job search in Morocco–even in a down economy. Enjoy the adventure!
Share your ideas on how to survive a job search in your country. Add your comments below!
Amanda Antara has a M.A. in public administration and enjoyed an 8 year career in student affairs at a small private liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland in the USA until June 2008. She gave up her career, apartment (and all its furnishings!), and car to live in Morocco for two years with her husband. She currently lives in Rabat and enjoys reading, writing, and traveling around the country. A short stint at a small call center in Casablanca taught her all she needed to know about finding work as an expat in Morocco.
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Working Holiday Visa – Work Abroad Easily
by Juliette Giannesini
Have you ever wanted to gain some work experience abroad?

Most people assume that working abroad is synonym with finding an employer willing to do the immigration paperwork on your behalf or immigrating permanently.
But there is an easier way: the Working Holiday Visa (WHV).
What is the working holiday visa?
The WHV is a work and travel permit issue by one of the many participating countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
WHV agreements are reciprocal, which means that if a French person can get a WHV for Canada and a Canadian a WHV for France.
WHV’s main goal is to allow young people to experience living in a foreign country. It strongly encourages them to explore the country and to work to supplement their travel funds. Alternatively, some participants choose to base themselves in a city and immerse themselves in the local culture.
What are usually the requirements?
Requirements vary depending on the country issuing the WHV. You will need to check information about a specific WHV with its embassy (e.g. if you are English and want to get a WHV for Canada, you have to check the Canadian Embassy’s website).
Typically, a WHV:
· is intended for a certain age group. Generally speaking, you need to be at least 18 years old and under 35 years old.
· is valid for one year. Some WHV can be extended; some can even lead to permanent immigration visas.
· has a relatively straightforward application process.
· Ii much cheaper than regular work or immigration visa. It varies depending on the country, but it ranges from free to roughly US$300.
· is available once in a lifetime, for each country.
· doesn’t require you to be a student.
Tips on getting a WHV
So, what’s the catch? Well, none really. However, you may want to make sure of the following:
· When you apply for a WHV, you often need to show that you have sufficient funds. Sufficient funds are determined by the country you are going to work in and they typically aim at making sure you can cover your living expenses for a few months without working.
· Only a certain number of WHV are issued per year per country. If the quota is reached, applicants are encouraged to apply again when the quota is reset, which is usually at the beginning of the calendar year.
· The main goal of the WHV is to allow people to discover a new culture, to travel in the country and to work if needed. It is fine to just work and not travel or the opposite, it is fine if you want to apply for a permanent immigration visa at the end of your stay. However, the WHV is not an immigrant visa. For example, chances are your application will be denied if you state that you are applying for a WHV to stay in a country while you wait for your permanent immigration visa to be processed.
· You are often required to buy travel insurance before you leave home. This is because as a temporary resident, you will not be covered by the local health system.
· You may be required to take a medical exam before you leave. Some countries only require it if you have previously visited certain countries “at risk”, some require it if you declare on your application that you want to work with children. If you have to take a medical exam, you must to do before leaving, with a doctor designated by the embassy.
· You will likely be asked to provide a resume and a cover letter explaining why you are applying for a WHV. You will not be accepted or refused based on these, so don’t worry too much. The embassy simply want to know what you plans are: are you going to travel? Where? Why did you choose this country?). It also wants to know more about your background. To not have significant work experience isn’t a problem (most 18 years old don’t!) but it should show that you are open-minded and resourceful.
So, what’s next?
Working holiday visa applications are usually processed in a matter of days or weeks. The visa will be stapled in your passport, and you are good to go!
Don’t forget that when you will arrive in your destination country, you will have to do some paperwork to apply for a social insurance number and/ or a tax number. After all, you are more than a tourist… you are a temporary worker!
Useful links
· WHVMakers (http://www.whvmakers.com/what-is-whv/about-whvmakers.php): general information about Working Holiday Visas. Includes a forum.
· PVTistes (http://www.pvtistes.net/): a French language WHV website, with a busy forum.
About the author

Juliette defines herself as a “world citizen”. Born and raised in France, she took an early interest in Chinese culture and foreign languages in high school. She graduated from French Langues Orientales University with a degree in Chinese language and civilization. Meanwhile, she left France to discover the world. She worked in Hong Kong, studied in China and backpacked through Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. In 2002, she landed in Canada for the first time and grew to love this cold snowy country. She settled there and started her new life in Ottawa, Canada’s national capital. She has been teaching French at the federal government since then. She also works on various projects aiming at helping newcomers in Canada. Juliette is the author of Correr Es Mi Destino (www.correresmidestino.com), an English speaking blog about life in Canada as an immigrant. She is also passionate about photography and showcase her work on this website. -
5 Steps to Launching an International Job Search
by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com
There are many things to consider when planning for a global career transition. Here’s a pre-departure job search checklist to help you get organized!
1. Access local resources. You will find many resources available to you in your destination country, such as expat networks, libraries, the internet, and chambers of commerce. Try to avoid relying on just one or two resou
rces. Identify and use a variety of resources to ensure balance in your job search approach. 2. Find out the restrictions and permissions for working in the destination country. You will want detailed information about the work permit process, such as what documents are needed, how long each will take to process and whether your nationality may cause any delays, etc. A great website to check is the Permits Foundation at www.PermitsFoundation.com.
3. Identify organizations to research for possible job leads and make contacts there. Although it can be daunting trying to go through the myriad online resources to find organizations in different countries, it is important to develop a list of 15-20 target organizations. There are many websites that have lists of organizations, and one site to find organizations that may have listings on their website is the International Chambers of Commerce at http://www.iccwbo.org/id100/index.html. There are many ways to identify contacts in organizations, such connecting with other expats in the area and asking them to help you identify professionals in the organization. See some of the other blogs on this site for more ideas on how to network!
4. Learn the business etiquette and communication culture for your new country. You can learn the dos and don’ts for the destination country by keeping your eye on this blog, reviewing the information on the Passport Career (www.PassportCareer.com) website (if your organization has a subscription), or through the many great books that are out there on this topic. There is also information scattered across the internet, but be careful to ensure that the website is reputable and the information is accurate and appropriate.
5. Create a networking resume and organize important career-related papers that may be requested. Create a resume appropriate to the standards in your destination country to use for networking purposes and gather relevant papers. What documents might you need? Plan to take copies of the following: transcripts from your college, vocational or other educational institute (if you have numerous degrees, then you will need copies of each), awards and training activities, proof that you attended relevant conferences (usually only needed if you have a certificate from a training at a professional conference), and other related documentation.
Preparing for job seeking in another country requires a lot of work, but it will reduce the frustration once you arrive at your new destination. Many spouses/life partners fail to prepare well, either because they don’t have the time, they don’t think about it, or they simply do not know what steps to take to prepare adequately. However, I strongly encourage you to spend some time on these 5 Steps before you depart so you can get started with a solid step forward in your job search.
Good luck!
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Passport Career has launched!
by Susan Musich, Managing Director, Passport Career, LLC
Passport Career’s international job search system launched August 15, 2009 with 55 countries and more than 100 destinations…and we’re quickly expanding to more! Now that we are officially available for organizations to subscribe to this extensive international job search system, we are delighted to inform you that this blog will be posting frequent entries about international job searches, profiles of expats around the globe, and tips for different destinations.

The idea for Passport Career began several years ago after working with thousands of international professionals who were moving to different countries in search of meaningful employment. I learned that the key to finding employment was not just understanding the legal framework of the work permit, but truly comprehending the business culture that intersects with the job search. By understanding the cultural nuances as they relate to the varied aspects of the job search, an international professional can make that strong first impression with those they meet. Making contacts is the key to a successful international job search, but you can’t make solid, viable contacts if you don’t reflect cultural finesse. Thus, Passport Career is designed to integrate the business culture with the many job search strategies, tools, and resources it makes available for each destination.
Our team of more than 100 consultants around the globe ensures the information is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to today’s job seeker.
We have had many requests from individuals who are interested in accessing the Passport Career system. Unfortunately, at this time we do not offer individual subscriptions. However, stay connected to this blog for future updates and enhancements. In the meantime, if you would like us to approach your organization to see if they can make this system available to you, please let us know by sending an email to Susan Musich, Managing Director, at smusich@passportcareer.com.
Lastly, if you are an expat and interested in joining our team of global consultants, we’d love to hear from you. Simply send an email to smusich@passportcareer.com with your name, city/country where you are living, home country, reason why you are interested, and why you think you are qualified. We are always in search of top-notch consultants for different projects and welcome your interest. We can’t guarantee a job, but we will get back to all serious inquiries.
We look forward to staying connected through this blog and wish you the very best of success with your international job search! We also want to hear from you on this blog. What are your best tips for international job seekers? Post your top one to three tips here and share with the world!
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3 Areas to Research Before Launching an International Job Search
By Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

Recently, I was in Toronto. Toronto is known as the most diverse city in the world, with more than half of its population being foreign-born. What a treat for me to spend some time speaking with other career professionals who regularly work with high-skilled, job-seeking international professionals. We discussed many issues facing this population, but I want to share with you the top 3 areas that were discussed regarding what international professionals need to research in order to be effective on the job search. These 3 areas apply to you whether you’re an international student wanting to continue to work in your host country, the spouse of an international assignee, or an immigrant or expat in the country.
1. Work permits. You need to know the laws governing your ability to work (and in some countries, your ability to volunteer). It can be confusing to find this information online, and it’s often recommended that you seek an international immigration law firm to assist you with the process. However, you can find some general information and links at the Permits Foundation– http://www.permitsfoundation.com/links.htm. This is an excellent site for spouses/partners of international employees, but also provides links for anybody seeking visa/work permit information.
2. Career information and options. You’ll need to know what types of employers are in the city where you’ll be living. Will you be in a rural area of an emerging country where most nonprofit organizations operate? Or will you be in a bustling metropolis that is bursting with multinational companies? Some of this research can be done online, but you can get better information from others who have lived there or are currently living there, which takes us to…
3. Network/contacts. It may be challenging to develop a network from scratch, but there are many ways to build an effective network within a month or two. You’ll need to research to find out what networks exist. You may find formal networks, such as Chambers of Commerce. Or, you may find online networks through Facebook or LinkedIn or on many of the expat websites. Or, you may find informal networks, such as a women’s group, or expat sports club. Making contacts is critical to an effective, international job search. Check out our guidance on developing your network on the blog post Get Globally Connected! http://www.passportcareer.com/blog/get-globally-connected.
We want to hear from you! What information was most helpful to you before you launched your international job search?
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Get Lost in Learning the Business Culture
by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com
As Susanne Taylor points out in her blog post “Why Getting Lost is Good for You,”
it can be helpful to “get lost” in the culture of another country. Not to “be lost,” as Susanne points out, but to “get lost” by observing the nuances of the country and its culture. Learning the business culture in your new host country is critical to making a strong first impression as well as demonstrating professional behavior to your peers, whether they are locals or expatriates. The nexus of culture and job search is where you will ultimately achieve job-search success. Almost everything you do in your job search will have some aspect of culture tied to it and that’s where your keen observation skills come into play. Everything from how to greet somebody in a professional setting to how you write your resume are intrinsically linked to the job search. Your ability to master the nuances of the culture will serve you well in your job search and throughout your career in the country. Below are five key business culture topics that you should observe and learn about before launching your job search.
- Greetings and introductions: How do you greet others appropriately? How do you introduce yourself and introduce others?
- Appropriate dress: What should you wear? What should you not wear? What is acceptable for women and men in the workplace—particularly as an expat, when expectations may be different than for locals.
- Communication—both verbal and nonverbal: What is appropriate when speaking with others? What do your body language and gestures say about you?
- Time: What can you expect with regard to starting and ending appointments on time?
- Gender/age issues in the workplace and other workplace norms: How are women viewed and treated in the workplace? How does society view young workers versus older workers?
Developing your business cultural knowledge in these five key areas will help you project a professional image as well as help with your self-confidence. Be sure to ask yourself the questions associated with these five key areas often during your job search, as there may be nuances associated with different organizations or different regions of the country. Cultural nuances are myriad and complex, so do not rely solely on one source; rather, develop your ability to observe and mirror others’ behavior in professional settings.
We’d like to hear from you! What aspects of business etiquette have you noticed in your host country that is different from your home country? What tips do you have for expat job seekers? Leave your comments here.
- Greetings and introductions: How do you greet others appropriately? How do you introduce yourself and introduce others?
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Working in Brazil
by Susan Musich

Having just returned from speaking at a conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil, I thought I’d share with you some of the opportunities and challenges of working in Brazil.
With a population close to 200 million, you can imagine the challenge of so many people trying to find a job. The Brazilian government has strict laws to protect jobs for its citizens, and companies need to prove how an expatriate would be better qualified than a Brazilian for a certain job. This is a great challenge for many companies since there are so many highly-skilled Brazilians available for employment.
Career Options
The best way for expats to find employment in the country is through a multinational company. Such companies often offer attractive expat benefits, including housing, health insurance, car or transportation allowance, and educational support for children.
However, if you are the accompanying spouse/partner, chances are slim that you can land a job before entering the country. Many spouses/partners end up as English language tutors, or even translators if they are fluent in Portuguese. Salaries tend to be significantly lower as a teacher, and pay is usually by the hour. Setting up a small business is an option, but the bureaucratic procedures may deter your efforts.
Different Cities—Different Opportunities
Sao Paolo—a city of 10 million inhabitants—has a plethora of multinational companies and English teaching services while many expats in Rio de Janeiro may want to focus their job search on IT-related careers (if you have the skills) or, alternatively, consider working with a nonprofit/nongovernmental organization (NGO). In Brasilia, opportunities for spouses/partners are with embassies and offices of international organizations, such as The World Bank. Some opportunities may also exist with the Brasilia International School or teaching English.
The greatest challenge most expats face is the work permit. Many organizations are hesitant to offer a work permit to an expat due to the strict laws of protecting the jobs for the nationals. However, if you want further information on the process, you can review the official website of Brazil’s Labor and Employment ministry at www.mte.gov.br. It has comprehensive information about all aspects of employment in Brazil. Expats can find information at the “international” section at http://www.mte.gov.br/trab_estrang_ing/default.asp. This section is in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. You can also find information on the work permit and visa process at Fragomen’s website at http://pubweb.fdbl.com/ihp8/global/media85.nsf/public-country-briefs/brazil?opendocument#top. Fragomen is an international law firm that focuses on immigration.
If you have ever worked in Brazil, what recommendations or strategies can you offer spouses/partners or students seeking employment in the country? Leave your comments here.
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Get Globally Connected!
I’ve worked job seekers from more than 180 countries. I have yet to find a job seeker whose country doesn’t use some form of networking to find employment opportunities. Whether you call it “networking” in the United States, “guanxi” in Hong Kong, or “reseautage” in France, it’s all the same thing: Making connections!Making connections is a part of daily life in most parts of the world. We can’t survive alone—nor would most people want to. It’s natural to connect with others who share similar interests, which is why networking on a job search should be an innate part of your job search strategy.
However, many international job seekers struggle with networking when they are moving to a different country. Although this may seem to be a challenge, it’s one worth taking on! Let’s take a look at three steps you can take to develop your global contacts:
STEP 1: Reach out to your current network
Write an email that you can send out to all of those in your current network. Let them know that you are planning for your transition and would appreciate any support they can offer with regard to developing any contacts in your destination country. Perhaps they work with someone else who might have a contact there. The contact does not have to be in your career field. Initial contacts can be anybody who can connect with you to give you any information about the job search in your country.STEP 2: Get connected virtually before you go!
There are endless ways to connect virtually with people around the globe. LinkedIn at www.LinkedIn.com is an excellent start. Get your profile up and start searching around the profiles by using key words, such as your country name and your career field. Reach out to others on LinkedIn. You’ll be surprised at how responsive most people are!Get involved with online groups related to your destination country. You’ll have to do a bit of sleuthing to find some of them, but many leads can be found on ExpatWomen’s site at www.ExpatWomen.com. This is an excellent site that provides outstanding resources for anyone launching an international transition.
STEP 3: Contact your alumni office for country contacts
Many countries—including the US and UK—have alumni offices for university graduates. Some secondary schools also keep track of alumni. Alumni are excellent resources for job search support. Most alumni are delighted to connect with and help out a fellow alum. Contact your alumni office or alumni coordinator and ask them how you can find out if any alumni are living in your destination country. This goes for fraternities and sororities as well. Also, if there is a database you can search, search around for alumni who previously lived in your destination country, if that information is available.CONCLUSION
Getting globally connected becomes easier with some creative thinking and resourcefulness. Online social networks are powerful when used appropriately and reaching out to others for networking purposes is becoming more common now that people spend less time in any one job. Remember, however, to build a powerful, global network, you need to maintain it by nurturing it. Stay connected with the people who offer you support and let them know how your transition is going. Chances are they may need to lean on you for making contacts in the future. This is the heart of “guanxi.”How do you make contacts around the world? Share your strategies, ideas, suggestions here!
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What Kind of Global Job Seeker Are You?
Are you an expatriate’s spouse/partner who was moved to another country because of your spouse’s job? Are you a student who is looking for an international internship or employment? Are you a foreign student looking for global opportunities? Finding employment or an internship in another country is often challenging. You may know what you want to do, but not sure how to find it in a new country. Or, you may be looking to do something completely new, and need a new career roadmap on how to get there. Regardless of who you are, here is a place for you to read about ideas and strategies for finding employment in the global job market as well as a chance to share your strategies, ideas, and thoughts on a variety of global job seeker topics. I welcome you to post them in response to the topic discussed in the blog.
Did You Know?
Spouses and partners who move to another country due to their spouse’s employment often find challenges to gaining meaningful employment. In a recent survey by Permits Foundation (check them out at www.PermitsFoundation.com), The overall employment rate of spouses/partners was 89% before expatriation, and then falls to 35% during expatriation. Most of these spouses want to work (84%).You can read more results from this excellent global spouse/partner employment survey at http://permitsfoundation.com/news.htm. Now I ask you…what can you do to increase your chances of finding a job if you are a spouse/partner? What does it really take to find a job in another country? If you are a student, what have you heard about strategies that work for finding international employment or internships? Share your tips and strategies here for others to see and learn about what works!

