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?

25 Networking Opportunities for Expats

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

Networking seems to be the key to finding most employment wherever you may live in this globalized world. Following are some ways that expats “network” in many countries:

1. Official receptions
   National days in embassies, farewell or welcome parties in companies, UN, NGOs.
2. Social and private events and gatherings
   Dinners, parties, functions, cocktails, formal and informal drinks, Sunday lunch, coffees, teas, bars, clubs. Make yourself known and promote your skills as much as you can. Let people identify you as a “professional person” as much as possible.
3. Private invitations
   Invite someone or get invited.
4. Ask for professional meeting
   Meet people at a social level (dinner, party), then call back your contact and ask for a professional appointment (with an Ambassador, a manager…)
5. Sports activities and clubs
   Mainly sports clubs, golf clubs (inside info and contacts for senior positions), gyms, mountain climbing clubs.
6. Meeting someone by chance
   Expats seem to visit the same restaurants, same supermarkets.
7. Go to the “in” places
   Markets frequented by expats, popular restaurants, coffee shops, and others.
8. Through accompanying spouse’s contacts
   Getting inside information from spouses (of international employees), spouse’s contacts and spouse’s current or former colleagues.
9. Friends
   Through friends in similar fields.
10. Professional events
    Go around, check what is happening and attend meetings and conferences.
11. Identify groups
    Professional groups are good ways of networking, including women associations, clubs and committees, professional groups, sectoral professional associations.  Join groups, penetrate them, participate in their meetings, talk to someone attending, try to be included on their mailing list.
12. Through colleagues
    Former colleagues, former contacts from previous jobs.
13. Word of mouth
    The expatriate community is big and very concentrated in some areas of the capitol city, so word of mouth is a very direct way to get information. The expatriate community is not hard to penetrate.
14. School
    Expatriates’ children go to the same schools.
15. Places of worship
    Widely used by locals, also some expatriates. These places are havens for networking. 
16. Internet
    Electronic resources listed throughout this blog and recommendations by others in the country.
17. NGO network
    Someone you contacted in an NGO can mention you to another NGO or share with you the opportunities in another NGO.
18. Canvassing
    Someone who knows you will push you and promote you in a position.
19. Conferences
    Attend conferences, workshops, seminars  (select those that are targeted to your career or where you know there will be HR professionals and executives.) Get the info in newspapers/magazines/ advertisements, Internet, the expat community, the Chambers of Commerce.
20. Clubs and associations for expats
    Spouse organizations, such as the Local Expatriate Spouse Associations (LESAs) set up by UN organizations that are focusing on support for dual career couple, the Association for American Women Abroad, and other associations that are focused on expat communities.
21. SMS, mobile phone calls
    Landlines can be challenging in some countries, so SMS and mobile are increasingly widely used and are an easy way to network (easy to send a message to several recipients). It is common in many countries to take your phone and say: Hello, I have heard you are doing this, could we meet?
22. Email
    Widely used also in many countries. Same logic: Easy to send short messages to plenty of people.
23. International hotels lobbies: info on meetings, seminars, conferences
    Check the event announcements in the lobby of the major international hotels, which host conferences, seminars, activities, meetings, which are often regional or international and are attended by many international staff. Also keep in mind that many expats frequent large hotels for their restaurants, bars, social activities, swimming pool, and other resources.
24. Mingle with locals
    Leads developed through locals and expats.
25. Extracurricular activities.
    Weekends away, safaris, cinemas, vacations at the beach, skiing trips.

What tips would you add? Add your comments and tips here!

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 resources. 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!

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!

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?

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.

1. Greetings and introductions: How do you greet others appropriately? How do you introduce yourself and introduce others?
   
2. 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.
   
3. Communication—both verbal and nonverbal:  What is appropriate when speaking with others? What do your body language and gestures say about you?
   
4. Time: What can you expect with regard to starting and ending appointments on time?
   
5. 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.

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!