Find Work Abroad

National borders or language barriers don’t have to stop you from a career in a foreign country. According to figures from the World Bank, more and more Britons are taking the plunge and moving abroad. One in six UK graduates are now working overseas. That’s 1.4 million people.

If you want to work abroad, it is important to think through the practical implications of living and working in a foreign country, and to make sure you are going for the right reasons.

Even though the sun may shine more than in the UK, you still have the daily grind to contend with and the novelty of your new situation may soon wear off. Consider these important questions: how do you feel about being away from your family and friends for a prolonged period? If you have a partner, will they also have to find a job near you? If you have children, how will they fit into the new environment?

In addition, the practicalities of landing a job in the country of your dreams are often not easy. The British labour market is, by comparison to other countries’, one of the most deregulated in the world - people can be easily hired - and unemployment is low. It can often be much harder to find a suitable job abroad.

You must also consider language barriers. Would it be to your advantage to take a language course before you left?

There are many different ways of working abroad. You could try any of the following.

• Getting transferred abroad with a UK company. You will have an advantage if you speak the relevant language. Jobs in leisure, tourism, fashion, export and positions with multinational companies, such as banks and IT firms, can provide openings abroad.
• Seasonal work with holiday companies. Be aware that such firms recruit well ahead of the summer and winter seasons. There are often jobs in childcare, catering and sports instruction. Try PayAway or Voovs.com for job listings.
• Agricultural work. You could be picking grapes in the south of France or shearing sheep in Australia. This kind of work is usually arranged on the spot, so check job adverts and get tips from British expatriates.
• Teaching English as a foreign language. You do not need formal teaching qualifications, but an official TEFL qualification will be an advantage. The British Council has information on internationally recognised qualifications. Look for vacancies in the local newspapers of the country in which you want to work. Your library may have foreign newspapers, or you can access them in the internet.

Working in Europe

As a British national, you have the right to work and study in 25 European Union countries. This freedom of movement means that you will have the same rights as someone who lives in the country where you have chosen to work; the same rates of pay, the same health services and the same benefits.

Although this mobility exists, finding the right job means researching the opportunities that may be open to you and identifying what technical and language skills employers require. Eures, the European job mobility portal run by the EC can help.

You will then need to make contact with appropriate recruitment agencies, or the companies themselves, and put together a suitable CV. Be aware that different countries have their own ways of writing job applications and CVs. Careers Europe can tell you about the formats required. Always write in the appropriate language.

Working outside Europe

One of the main barriers to working outside Europe is that you usually have to prove that you can offer skills that are in short supply. Check with the National Academic Recognition Information Centre to find out if your qualifications are internationally recognised.

Non-European countries often have elaborate immigration rules, and in many cases your future employer has to apply for a work permit or visa on your behalf. The employment figures for the country to which you hope to move will tell you how easy – or difficult - it will be to get a work permit.

If, for example, you want to work in Australia on a long-term basis, you have to apply for the Independent Skilled Migration Visa. To be accepted, you need to be qualified and experienced in a trade or profession that is on the Skilled Occupations List run by the Australian Immigration Service. Further reading see the UK Net Guide articles Brief Guide to Volunteer Work Overseas, Managing Your Finances When You Move Abroad, Writing the Perfect CV, and Best and Worst Words on Your CV.