Getting work experience abroad is an exciting proposition. When you work abroad you get to know a new culture by living in a foreign country and interacting with its people in meaningful ways each and every day. Work experience abroad can range from an internship at a company as a student in the field of your major for college credit, or as a recent graduate in the field you wish to enter.
You can work for an American company in an overseas branch or division, or start your career working an entry-level professional position at a foreign company. You can also find a job in the retail or restaurant industries, or become a domestic employee like a nanny, just to fund your living expenses and travels while overseas. You can even teach abroad. Whatever you do, seeking international work experience is something that you will always benefit from – both professionally and personally.
Seeking International Work Experience
Getting work experience abroad is a lot like getting work in the U.S. The process will vary based on what kind of employment you seek. For instance, if you’re looking to stipend your travels while you study abroad on a student visa, and are looking for a short-term bartending gig, the process might be as simple as filling out an application and interviewing. But if you are looking for a professional position as a graduate, you’ll have to conduct a job search like you would in the United States, complete with the standard resume-interview-thank you letter process.
Whatever you choose, you will need a work visa and/or a work permit issued by the country you plan to gain work experience abroad with. Visas, which are simply written permission from a country to live there for a specific period of time for a specific purpose, are usually issued as a stamp in your passport and can be obtained through their embassy or consulate office.
Most countries, you will find, require that you already have a job offer in order to get a work visa, as preference is always given to a country’s citizens over its foreigners. This may make the process a bit more difficult – especially if you’re in the U.S. while conducting your job search!
The internet has made seeking international work experience much easier than it used to be. Careerbuilder.com has separate international websites for those seeking jobs in the UK, Canada, Germany, and India, and Monster.com has introduced its Global Gateway, which lists jobs all over the world. You can also use a site like www.anyworkanywhere.com, which offers advertising jobs and resources for work and travel worldwide. Together, sites like these will introduce you to job opportunities that you wouldn’t likely find on your own.
Another option is to enlist outside help to secure work experience abroad. There are headhunters and placement agencies that specialize in placing job candidates in international positions. Paying a fee to a company while seeking international work experience is not unusual. But be sure to thoroughly check out a company’s reputation before paying for any service, and don’t pay exorbitant fees – most times the job you get won’t be worth the price you pay.