International Careers: Working Abroad


Most of us have daydreamed about living and working overseas. It could be a great adventure, a lot of fun and a highlight to add to your resume. But to actually relocate, find a job and get proper work permits and visas is another story. There can be many obstacles for you to navigate and it's not as simple as packing your bags and grabbing your passport. However if you really want to do it, you can find a way; either through a corporate or job re-assignment, your own job search, an international internship, or even a stint as a volunteer. With a little investigation you can dig up many resources to help you research the subject. In many ways, this is a great time to seek employment abroad. Global interdependence, telecommunications, multiculturalism, and the shrinkage of the global village are creating a need for highly trained, internationally competent employees in government and business and with non-profit groups as well. In recent years, more and more, large and small US businesses have gone global and in doing so, have recognized the need for internationally trained managers and other skilled professionals. In some areas like business and finance, international assignments are now often seen as a key stepping stone to higher positions. In fact, at some leading multinationals, international experience is rapidly becoming a necessity for higher level, executive positions. For example, at least 80% of the top executives at Xerox Corporation have had international experience. (Although you shouldn't go abroad blindly in the hopes of advancing your career, since some studies show that a foreign posting does not necessarily enhance a career. Advancement will depend on many circumstances.) As we enter the 21st Century, it seems that an organization's success and ability to function in markets abroad is increasingly tied to the company's success as a whole. Thus, employees with expertise abroad should be increasingly valuable, not only for what skills they can bring to the job overseas, but also for what experience they can bring back to company headquarters.

The best way to get an international job is to develop a skill before you apply for an international position. You will find that most openings are technical or business oriented. Specific skills and expertise are usually wanted. "Employers are not as impressed by your language skills as they are by your expertise or the specific skills you have acquired which are relevant to the position you are applying for." Think of it this way; anyone can learn a new language, but specialization is not something that can be taught to someone in a few weeks. Of course, ideally you will need both for a strong international resume. It's also a good idea to have some experience and some knowledge of the country and culture in which you will work before you try to work your way abroad with a multinational company. Obviously, international experience can be a great opportunity for bilingual Latinos, particularly for those looking for work in Latin America, North America, Puerto Rico and Spain. The economic revitalization of Mexico and much of South America, and the increase in industry and manufacturing through NAFTA has made Latin America a vital part of our own economy and a source of international opportunities in these areas. Exporting is also a growing area because the demand for US products in Latin America is higher than in the past. (Also, more US companies are feeling comfortable doing business there since the economy and political situations are less volatile than in the past.) And, as we become a more global society, through e-commerce and other new trends, both multinational and smaller, local companies are looking for new ways to reach consumers and to do business. This makes marketing, advertising, public relations, and technology all good fields for the international job seeker. In Latin America, experts are also sought in business development, and in certain types of business administration.

One key thing to remember is that employers value candidates who are familiar with the differences between cultures. For example, even within Latin America cultural and linguistic differences can be dramatic from country to country. Marketing instructor Jerry Symon tells an anecdote about an advertising executive in Mexico who had a public relations nightmare on his hands when a new ad campaign extolling the virtues of comfortable seats on an airline was translated into the local idiom as a graphic reference to the passenger's "seat"! And just think of the differences between lifestyle and culture that can be found between say Guatemala and Argentina. But, if you can absorb and adapt to these situations you can be successful. Symon says, "Even here in the states if you have this kind of specialized knowledge in addition to your bilingual skills, you can write your own ticket in areas related to cross-cultural marketing and advertising. Especially since many companies are now looking to reach the lucrative Latino market."

How can you learn about these specific differences if you don't have firsthand experience already? Of course, some larger companies do provide cross-cultural training and other relocation services when they send their employees abroad. But that is not the same as experiencing it for yourself. In the book, Best Careers for Bilingual Latinos, author Graciela Kenig advises, "The ideal way to gain that [kind of] experience is to spend some time traveling or living in the countries where you would like to work. If that is not possible, seek out Latinos from different cultures so you can observe the way they behave, their attitudes, how they respond to certain things, and what words or phrases in your culture are innocent but might not be acceptable in theirs... It is the only way in which you could test, for example, how a product that succeeded in Chile will play in Mexico." Besides, your relocation will probably be more successful if you have some idea of whether you will like the new environment.

Tips to help you get work abroad:
Find out what documents and work permits you need.

Research companies that do business with the country that is of interest to you. Most service-oriented companies, such as airlines, banks, and consulting firms have branches or franchises in foreign countries. In the manufacturing sector, many companies have factories in other countries or need people to distribute and market their goods in those nations.

Often, the best way to get a position overseas (and to move up) is to be employed in a multinational company. Be hired and trained and then sent overseas. But on the other hand, don't be afraid to go with a smaller company. On the contrary, you may get more responsibility and gain experience faster.

Skills to emphasize when applying for an international job:
Thinking outside of the box, flexibility, creativity and the ability to deal with new situations. Open mindedness and the ability to process information and to negotiate. Sensitivity and courtesy are also good skills to have.

Join professional associations and international organizations, International Trade Association, World Trade Center, the international division of your state's Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and the US Department of Commerce. These kinds of organizations can help you to find out which companies in your area do international business and what the latest international trends are for people in your line of work. Events and seminars can also help you to network.

Tell friends, associates, relatives and their friends: Make sure everyone you know is aware of your international intentions. Chance personal connections can lead to choice positions.

Study for an MBA abroad. Many multinationals recruit directly from European business schools. These grads know the European and world economies, are familiar with cross-cultural marketing; in short, they have firsthand experience in international management.

Sponsorship-occasionally, an employer will sponsor a person. If the candidate has specialized skills which are in high demand, and if they seem like a good fit with the company, the firm will help you to take care of all the necessary work permits and visas and will also help you to relocate and make the transition to the new country. Links For More Information:

The search engine about.com offers a whole site on international jobs-an incredible resource offering a wide range of topics, subjects and links.

Another great resource can be found at: http://www.dbm.com/jobguide/internat.html or go to rileyguide.com.

TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS

Internship exchange organizations
A few reciprocal exchange programs offer paying internships in applied fields. IAESTE (60 countries) and American-Scandinavian Foundation (Scandinavian countries) have placements in engineering, agriculture and natural sciences, while AIPT offers hotel and culinary programs. CDS (Germany) has several different programs for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals; applicants must know some German. All these organizations accept applications directly from students. AIESEC (business and technical degrees, worldwide) is a student-run organization with several chapters. They recommend that you join a year or so in advance of the desired time for an internship placement, in order to earn points towards the internship, but there are opportunities for non-members as well.

Internships with international organizations (either formal programs or self-found positions) Organizations in all international sectors have ongoing internship programs. Others do not have formal internships but will often respond positively to applications from individuals who propose their own "internship." As a general rule, the larger and better-known the organization, the more competitive the application process for internships will be. Conversely, smaller and more locally-based organizations, often overlooked by applicants, may offer some of the best internship experiences.

Government:
The U.S. State Department and other agencies offer internships during the summer or either semester. Although some are overseas, many are located in the U.S. In either case these are often unpaid. Even so, these are very competitive, typically going to graduate students and a few advanced undergraduates. State and city governments often have internship possibilities in their international trade offices, which are often overlooked by applicants, and these may be less competitive. Internships with politicians who have international interests, such as members of Congress, are another possibility. U.S. government agencies (such as the State Department) often give particular encouragement to qualified Americans of color interested in international positions, offering special scholarships to fund unpaid positions. (The Study Abroad Office at Purdue has great information on State Department internships. )

Public multinationals:
Multi-government giants such as the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, and many others offer internships. However, they tend to be unpaid and highly competitive (paid positions are usually reserved for Master's level students), and most positions for Americans are located in the U.S. Most of the internship directories listed below have information on internships with these organizations.

Private enterprise: Organized international internship programs are sponsored by Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and others. These are sometimes restricted to students in MBA programs. Many undergraduates, however, have successfully arranged overseas internships with U.S. or host-country companies, especially by using the CIEE Work Abroad Program. This program gives students the legal right to work in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, and Spain and provides contact addresses. As always, smaller local firms, such as those in import-export, are likely to be less competitive for internship applications than large, well-known firms, whether in the U.S. or abroad. Most internships with private industry pay enough to cover basic living expenses, though usually not the cost of transatlantic airfare.

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs):
Typically non-profit, these run the gamut from humanitarian or human-rights watchdogs such as Amnesty International to health care providers, like CARE and CONCERN, to organizations supporting international educational exchange, such as the Institute of International Education. NGOs typically welcome interns in their U.S.-based offices, usually in unpaid positions. Overseas positions are most likely through volunteer organizations (below).

Educational Organizations:
Teachers are needed worldwide. Positions generally available fall into two categories: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, for which no other credential than a bachelor's degree is usually needed, and Teaching K-12 in overseas schools taught in English, for which teaching certification is usually required. Most teaching positions require a commitment of at least one academic year.

Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs):
These offer a large number of overseas placements, and one of the only possibilities for work in developing countries. Positions are typically designated as "volunteer" or service positions, rather than internships. These range from a few secular organizations, such as Amigos de las Americas or Los Ninos, to many religious-sponsored groups. While some religiously-sponsored groups insist that participants be members of the religion, others such as the Brethren or the American Friends Service Committee do not. Short-term placements (of less than one year) will often have fees, or at best provide room and board. A few long-term placements provide for all the expenses of the volunteer, most notably the Peace Corps. A key benefit of volunteer positions is that they may be able to offer the benefit of deferring educational loan repayments during the volunteer assignment.