How to find and land a job in another country

Published 6:01 pm Tuesday, May 18, 2010

You know the ins and outs of job searching in the United States.

Resumes, interviews, salary negotiations, no problem. But let’s say that you’re excited by the global economy. Or yearning for adventure.

Either way, job hunting overseas is different than you might expect. Every region or country has its own hiring practices. If you want to land a rewarding position in a far-off place, you have to comply with their standards.

So how do you target companies in Toronto, Tokyo, Brussels, Dubai and other parts of the world? First things first. Sit down at the computer and research employment guidelines for your specific location. Do hiring managers expect to see at the top of your resume information on your marital status and the number of children you have? Is it considered professional to place cold calls to potential bosses? Should you wear formal or casual attire to your interviews?

After you learn about local requirements and customs, revise your job-hunting strategy accordingly. Here are some things to consider:

Write a country-specific resume. Depending on your chosen location, your American-style resume (called a curriculum vitae or CV in most countries) will probably need some revisions. During your Internet research, learn what employers expect.

It may be customary to include full given name, date and place of birth, religion, civil status and current passport details. Hobbies, language skills and travel experience may be required as well. In some places, companies will not consider your qualifications if you don’t insert a photo of yourself beside your name. Also, many regions have specific length and format requirements. Find out what is expected and add the necessary details to your document.

Network boldly. Just like in the U.S., networking is the key to speeding up your overseas job hunt. Person-to-person networking expedites the job-search process by putting you in touch with decision makers. In addition, it cultivates professional relationships and friendships in your future hometown. Don’t let the miles fool you.

You can still meet people in your field from halfway across the globe. Join local or regional chapters of industry associations. Reach out to job-hunting clubs in your new city. Best of all, get in touch with companies directly. Your efforts will let employers know that you are serious about securing a job and moving to their part of the world.

Say it in your cover letter. As an international job candidate, you have to work harder than local job seekers to win an employer’s attention. Kick open a few doors with a powerful cover letter. A great letter will introduce you to potential bosses, provide insight into your talents and help them understand your enthusiasm for the country.

Try something like this: “During a recent trip to Spain, I knew that I wanted to work for a business headquartered in Barcelona. My family has traveled there for many years, and I can easily relocate with 15 to 30 days’ notice. Also, I am brushing up on my language skills and expect to be fluent in Spanish by late summer.”

Don’t forget to investigate legal issues and visa requirements in advance, and be ready to discuss the logistics of your move with prospective employers.

Send your job-search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.