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?

The Secret to a Smooth Expat Transition©

by Dr. Gayle Scroggs, A.C.C., C.M.C.
www.essencecoaching.com

Making a successful significant change in one’s personal or professional life takes extra energy and planning. Moving to a new place in your life or on the globe can involve major stress or fear, and yet it can be a major opportunity. How you handle it makes all the difference.

Within my clients and in my own life, I’ve noticed there are two key questions we need to answer for ourselves in transitions:

What are you moving FROM?

What are you moving TOWARD?

As William Bridges asserts in Managing Transitions, we may land or be pushed into a new place physically before we are psychologically ready. It is as if the boat has left the dock with just our body, leaving our heart and mind abandoned on the familiar shore.

Later, as we get underway, we can find ourselves buffeted by unexpected foreign winds – the new experiences and unfamiliar places and faces. This is rocky sailing (and we know how that feels!). However, you can steer your boat with more assurance and direction through these uncharted waters.

One way to make your transition smoother is to create your own personally meaningful “transitions ritual” – one that fully honors your past successes and joys in your home country while opening up possibilities for future ones. While it may be most effective before departing, it can still be very healing and energizing post-landing.

Here are some ideas to get you started—and then let our own creativity and desires take flight!

Designing Your “Good Bye/Hello” Ceremony

What has meaning is unique to each person, so I share these steps as just one example of how you might go about creating something that works for you.

STEP ONE: ACKNOWLEDGE ANY LOSSES. As my client Marta discovered, a good place to start designing a transition ritual is with acknowledging the losses while practicing savoring and gratitude, two very key concepts for well being, as positive psychology research demonstrates.

Marta decided to write out a list of what and whom she was leaving behind, notably the people whose lives she touched and who touched hers. She allowed herself time to savor the good memories. Then from her balcony she let loose a helium balloon labeled with all that she would need to let go of in order to move forward. As it sailed away, she focused on feeling grateful for the gifts that those connections had brought her.

STEP TWO: CREATE AN EMOTIONAL BRIDGE. Next she identified one particular “transitional object,” in this case, a special fountain pen, which she would carry with her to connect her past with her future. I have several transitional objects scattered around my house, including family photographs, a mini-replica of the Statue of Liberty, and seashells from my old summer haunts, among others.)

These allow us to feel a psychological continuity as we go through our days in our new location. As much as we may grow tremendously and re-create much of ourselves abroad, we can also draw upon the strengths and values of our origins (to which most of us return, at least for visits, if not eventual repatriation).

STEP THREE: INSPIRE THE FUTURE. While you may choose to engage in a private ritual, some find that a shared ritual offers additional meaning. In the final phase of her transition, Marta chose to invite a few close friends to join her. Guests were asked to bring cards with inspirational quotations for success and joy for her future. She plans to keep these on her new desk as reminders of her new possibilities. She will keep with it the list of important others as a reminder of her continuing ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

The mere act of designing the ritual proved uplifting, Marta reported. By acknowledging our gratitude for our good past experiences while anticipating future ones, we get more closure and generate more energy in our transitions.

May your next transition be smooth sailing. . . and even transforming!

2009, Dr. Gayle Scroggs,  A.C.C., C.M.C., Global Professional and Life Coach
www.essencecoaching.com - for more success, joy, and meaning in your journey
www.positivelyexpat.com - positive psychology for expats and global professionals & co-author of the just released Women’s Paths to Happiness,  a positive psychology guide for women who want to live and work at their best, available at www.womenspathstohappiness.com.

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 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!

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.