Guide To Working Abroad

• have the appropriate language skills • be highly focused about the type of career you want to enter. Find out about standard entry requirements and research typical employers and vacancy sources • be creative. It is unlikely that overseas jobs will be advertised in the UK as overseas employers only advertise here for new graduates when they fail to recruit locally • build up a network of contacts, if possible, in the country and area of work that interests you • be determined and take the initiative. Getting a job overseas will take a lot of advance planning and energy.

Your guide to working abroad For many graduates and undergraduates working abroad is an attractive prospect. This guide is designed to give you a brief introduction to the key issues associated with working abroad, whether during or after your studies. See the further information section below for sources of more comprehensive information.

Working abroad during your studies Much of the advice above applies to job hunting for finding work during your studies. If you are planning a year abroad, talk to your tutor (and/or Placement Officer) about placement opportunities. There are also established programmes which can help you find work such as AISEC www.aiesec.org and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) www.ciee.org.

FURTHER INFORMATION

WHY WORK ABROAD? You may want to work abroad for any number of reasons. It could be to gain essential experience as part of your course, a gap year, part of your overall career plan or simply a desire to have a long holiday after years of study. You should, however, consider your reasons for wanting to work abroad carefully and how you can use the time profitably to benefit your career. It should not just be an excuse for delaying making career decisions or looking for a 'real' job. When you return home, employers will want to know what you have done and what you have gained.

• See the 'working and studying abroad' section in the Careers Service Information Room for a range of reference books and materials.

ISSUES TO CONSIDER • See the Careers Service website www.glam.ac.uk/careers • See the 'Working Abroad' section on Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk/links/abroad with detailed information on over 50 countries including sections on application procedures, work permits/visas and vacancy sources. • Pick up the AGCAS booklet 'Working Abroad' from the Careers Service. • Access the 'Exodus' database at the Careers Service for a comprehensive guide to job hunting, application procedures and vacancies.

Where? Climate and location are extremely important considerations. You also need to know where you are permitted to work and what work permit/visa requirements there may be: The European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) The EU consists of 25 member states which are: Austria; Belgium; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden and the United Kingdom. The EEA consists of the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Nationals of these countries do not need a work permit to secure employment in EEA listed countries. European vacancies can be accessed via the European Employment Services network EURES, which you can find at http://europa.eu.int/eures/ or via the Jobcentre Plus web site http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk . Alternatively, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office. See also www.eurojobs.com.

If you require this leaflet in large print, in Braille, on audio cassette or in the Welsh language, please contact the Student Services Department.

Student Services - Careers Service www.glam.ac.uk/careers • Tel: 01443 482080

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Outside the EU/EEA If you are seeking work outside the EU/EEA you will find that each country has different regulations governing work permits and visas and you should check their requirements by contacting the relevant authorities. See the 'Working Abroad' section on Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk/links/abroad for country-specific information.

How will my qualification be viewed? How relevant is your degree subject to the career that you hope to enter? In the UK a degree can give you access to a wide range of graduate level jobs which are not necessarily linked to your degree subject as many employers look for personal, transferable skills developed during the course of study. This is often not the case elsewhere. Many students abroad undertake study that is directly related to their career interests and also gain relevant work experience. Degree courses abroad tend to be longer and graduates enter the job market when they are older and more experienced than their British counterparts. If your subject is not related to your chosen career you will need to convince employers abroad that you have the necessary transferable skills and attributes needed for the job. Have I got relevant work experience? If not, you need to think of ways to obtain that work experience, preferably before applying for jobs overseas. Consider obtaining work experience placements either through universitybased projects or by speculatively approaching employers in the UK and abroad for short-term work, paid or unpaid. If you are a student consider taking part in a student exchange programme or vacation work in the country that interests you. This may provide you with relevant work experience as well as providing you with personal contacts you can use in the future. See www.work-experience.org. What about UK based employers, organisations or projects with links abroad? Consider applying for jobs with UK-based employers or international organisations that have contacts or bases abroad. Some careers have more opportunities to work abroad. These could include: engineering; civil engineering/construction industry; the oil industry; computer related work; exporting and international marketing; manufacturing; the finance sector; the diplomatic/civil service and teaching, particularly TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language). Organisations that recruit for overseas posts include: the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org); the Civil Service (www.civilservice.gov.uk/careers); NATO (www.nato.int); The International Labour Organisation (www.ilo.org); the United Nations (www.un.org); the World Health Organisation (www.who.int/en); EU institutions and multinationals. What if I have limited experience? There are various possibilities for those who do not have relevant experience, particularly if you are looking to be abroad for a limited time. Opportunities include casual work, TEFL, voluntary work, working on a kibbutz or short-term work experience. You may want to consider internships or short-term work placements that may be available via international organisations e.g. Stagaire Schemes within institutions of the European Community http://ec.europa.eu/stages/. See also www.work-experience.org.

You could consider project-based work abroad with voluntary organisations. Well known examples include: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) www.vso.org.uk; Oxfam www.oxfam.org.uk; Save the Children www.savethechildren.org.uk; Concern Worldwide www.concern.net and local organisation UNA Exchange www.unaexchange.org. Have I got the right language skills? The level of language skills you need depends on the country and the type of job that you are interested in. If you are not competent in the language check how this will affect your chances of securing employment. Find out about language-based courses whilst at university or within the local community. Consider taking a lower level job abroad so that you can develop your language skills. How should I go about job hunting? Recruitment practices and preferred styles of application vary from country to country and you should research this carefully. In France, for example, the speculative approach to job hunting is common. In many European countries such as Germany, relevant work experience can often be the deciding factor in offering a job and a temporary work placement is a common method for securing permanent employment. Networking extensively is important and often essential, particularly in countries such as Italy and Greece where contacts can be prime sources of work opportunities. Put together a good CV and covering letter in the preferred layout, style and language of the host country. In Germany, for instance, you are expected to provide a one or two-page CV, an A4 single-sided covering letter, a passport-sized photograph and photocopies of all relevant certificates from school, university and other sources. Other countries, such as the USA, prefer a one-page resumé. Whatever the style or format of the CV it should be targeted at the position you are applying for. Where do I look for advertised jobs? Some UK newspapers and journals carry overseas advertisements such as 'The Guardian' http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/ and 'The Economist'. Check foreign newspapers which may be accessible online and/or available via the University library or your local library. Many vacancies are carried online such as on www.overseasjobs.com and at www.eurojobs.com. The Careers Service holds a range of reference books and directories which you can use to approach employers abroad speculatively e.g. 'Graduate Opportunities in Australia and New Zealand' and 'The Directory of International Employers' (The Careers Group).

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB HUNTING ABROAD Working abroad after your studies

Casual work is a popular way to fund travel abroad. Most opportunities are in hospitality, retail and as seasonal labour in agriculture. Teaching English abroad is the most common occupation of new graduates who work overseas and there could be a range of opportunities available to you. You do not necessarily need to speak the language of your students although a TEFL qualification is increasingly required. See www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations.

Securing a graduate level job in another country is going to be harder than it is in the UK, with comparatively few British graduates obtaining employment overseas. If you can offer relevant work experience or specialist skills which are in demand this will improve your prospects. To enhance your chances of working outside the UK you will need to: • get yourself well-informed about the country you want to apply to. This includes employment regulations and work permit/visa requirements; the educational system; the economic climate and job market; recruitment and working practices