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Graduate Careers Advice

The Graduate Job-Seekers Guide

Managing The Study-to-Workplace Transition

Temping Tips for Graduates

Graduate Study Abroad

Careers in the Arts

Graduands

Personality Profiles

Professional Qualifications

Working Abroad

Going Freelance

Working Abroad

Many people are now choosing to spend time working overseas either as part of a gap year or on a more permanent basis. There are a number of major decisions to be made before taking this bold step but it is important to remember that this can be a highly rewarding and indeed life-changing experience which could provide you with opportunities simply not available to you in the UK job market.

Is it the right thing to do?

The decision to relocate overseas is one that should not be taken without first considering whether or not the time is right for you to make such a move. You must be absolutely sure that you are making the best decision in terms of your professional development otherwise you may end up taking a backward step on the career ladder.

You should consider the friends and family that you are leaving behind and also any property that you may have – this could be either sold or rented out but should ideally be dealt with before you leave.

Be prepared

Once you have made the important decision of where you want to work, you need to investigate the entry requirements for that country. EU and EEA member countries will allow UK passport holders to remain in the country for up to three months before requiring a residence permit. EU countries also offer similar employment benefits and entitlement to the UK so this may be the most secure option.

Countries such as the USA, New Zealand and Australia have much stricter entry requirements and they will only permit entry to overseas workers if they have a particular set of skills which their country has a demand for at that time. Entry can therefore be difficult and opportunities fiercely contended.

It is advantageous  to actually know something about the country that you wish to relocate to so that you can be sure it is the right location for you. There may be a language barrier to overcome or there may be significant cultural differences to deal with. These factors could dramatically influence how happy you are in your new environment and how easily you settle into your new life.

Finding the right job

As with job hunting in the UK, the first step is to make sure your CV or resume is up to date. Different countries have different formats which they prefer to use so it is important to do your homework and make sure that the CV or resume you produce is of the required standard and format.

Allow plenty of time for your job search because it can be a rather long, drawn-out process; however, finding temporary work is generally easier than finding permanent employment. Relocating within a UK-based company is by far the easiest way of securing overseas employment and you can increase your chances by demonstrating the required foreign languages skills.

The Internet is now a valuable tool in finding overseas employment with the opportunity to search specific company websites or international recruitment sites. Possibly the best way to start your job search is to actually visit your country of choice and start to establish a network of contacts in your industry sector.

Volunteering

One way of establishing a name for yourself in your chosen overseas industry is to undertake voluntary work. This can not only add considerable value to your CV but can also help you to decide if the location and the job are exactly what you expected them to be. There are a range of invaluable life skills and opportunities which can be acquired through voluntary work including the opportunity to work with disadvantaged people.

Despite the massive undertaking, relocating to work overseas can be a highly rewarding experience that can provide excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. As long as you are well prepared and fully aware of what to expect, there is no reason why overseas working cannot play a key role in your career development.