Working Abroad
Before planning to work abroad, you must ensure that it will be possible before making any commitments. If you don't qualify to live and work in a country by birthright or as a national of a country that's a member of a treaty (such as the European Union), obtaining a work permit may be impossible. Americans and others without the automatic right to work in the EU must have their employment approved by a country's Ministry of Labour and obtain an employment visa before arriving in an EU country. Most Europeans find it equally difficult to obtain a permit to work in the USA or Canada (unless they buy a business).
Even when you don't require a permit, you shouldn't plan on obtaining employment in a particular country unless you have a firm job offer, special qualifications and/or experience for which there's a strong demand. If you want a good job, you must usually be well qualified and speak the local language fluently. If you plan to arrive without a job (assuming it's permitted), you should have a detailed plan for finding employment and try to make some contacts before you arrive. Being attracted to a country by its weather, cuisine and lifestyle (etc.) is understandable, but doesn't rate highly as an employment qualification!
It's extremely difficult to find work in most Mediterranean countries, particularly in rural and resort areas, and it's also becoming increasingly difficult in most cities and large towns.
Prospects
Before moving abroad to find employment, you should dispassionately examine your motives and credentials. What kind of work can you realistically expect to do? What are your qualifications and experience? Are they recognised abroad? How good is your local language ability? Unless you're fluent, you won't be competing on equal terms with the locals (you won't anyway, but that's a different matter!). Most employers aren't interested in hiring anyone without, at the very least, an adequate working knowledge of the local language. Are there any jobs in your profession or trade in the country and area where you plan to live? Could you work in a self‑employed capacity or start your own business? The answers to these and many other questions can be quite disheartening, but it's better to ask them before moving abroad rather than afterwards.
Self employment
One of the easiest routes to working abroad is to be self-employed, although you will still need a work permit and it can be difficult to become established and make a good living. If you're an EU national or a permanent resident with a residence permit, you can work as a self-employed person or as a sole trader in a European Union country. If you want to be self-employed in a profession or trade in many countries, e.g. most European Union countries, you must meet certain legal requirements and register with the appropriate organisation, e.g. a professional must become a member of the relevant professional association. In many countries, the self-employed must have an official status and it's illegal to simply hang out a sign and start business.
Members of some professions and trades must possess recognised professional qualifications and certificates, and are usually required to take a written examination in the local language. You may also be required to attend a business administration course. You're subject to any professional codes and limitations in force, e.g. a medical practitioner must have his qualifications accepted by the medical association of the state or region where he intends to practise, and any controlling specialist bodies. You must also show that you're in good standing with the professional authorities in your home country. In certain professions, such as the law, it's unusual to be permitted to practise abroad without local qualifications.
Qualifications
The most important qualification for working abroad is often the ability to speak the local language. Once you have overcome this hurdle you should establish whether your trade or professional qualifications and experience are recognised in a particular country. If you aren't experienced, employers usually expect studies to be in a relevant discipline and to have included work experience, i.e. on-the-job training. Professional or trade qualifications are required to work in many fields, although these are much more stringent in some regions (e.g. Northern Europe) than in others.
Most qualifications recognised by professional and trade bodies in North America or European Union countries are accepted throughout the world. However, recognition varies from country to country, and in some cases foreign qualifications aren't recognised by local employers or professional and trade associations. All academic qualifications should also be recognised, although they may be given less prominence than equivalent local qualifications, depending on the country and the educational establishment where they were gained. In general, qualifications earned in developing countries aren't as acceptable abroad as those from western institutions. Some professionals and tradesmen are required to undergo special training or work under supervision for a period (possibly a number of years) before they are permitted to work unsupervised or work as self-employed.
Language
Although English is the lingua franca of international commerce and may help you secure a job in some countries, the most important qualification for anyone seeking employment is the ability to speak the local language. If you don't already speak the local language well, don't expect to learn it quickly, even if you already have a basic knowledge and take intensive lessons. It's common for foreigners not to be fluent after a year or more of intensive lessons. If your expectations are unrealistic you will become frustrated, which can affect your confidence. It takes a long time to reach the level of fluency needed to be able to work in most languages and to understand the various accents. If you don't speak the language fluently, you should begin lessons on arrival and consider taking a menial or even an unpaid voluntary job, as this is one of the quickest ways of improving your language ability.
If necessary you should have lessons before starting a job. A sound knowledge of the local language won't only help you find a job or perform your job better, but makes everyday life much simpler and more enjoyable. If you go abroad without being able to speak the local language you will be excluded from everyday life and will feel uncomfortable until you can understand what's going on around you. The most common reason for negative experiences among foreigners abroad, both visitors and residents alike, is because they cannot or won't speak the local language.
However badly you speak the language, your bad grammar, poor vocabulary and terrible accent will be much better appreciated than your fluent English!
Job Hunting
When looking for a job abroad, it's best not to put all your eggs in one basket, as the more job applications you make, the better your chances of finding a good job. Contact as many prospective employers as possible, either by writing, telephoning or calling on them in person, depending on the type of vacancy. Whatever job you're looking for, it's important to market yourself correctly and appropriately, which depends on the type of job you're after. For example, the recruitment of executives and senior managers is handled almost exclusively by consultants who advertise in local newspapers (and also abroad) and interview all applicants prior to presenting clients with a shortlist. At the other end of the scale, manual jobs requiring no previous experience may be advertised at government employment centres, in local newspapers and in shop windows, and the first suitable, able‑bodied applicant may be offered the job on the spot.
When writing for a job, address your letter to the personnel director or manager and include your curriculum vitae (CV), and copies of all references and qualifications. Note, however, that writing for jobs from abroad is a hit and miss business and it's probably the least successful method of securing employment. If you can attend interviews abroad, inform prospective employers when you will be available for interview and arrange as many as you can fit into the allotted time. Your method of job hunting will depend on your particular circumstances, qualifications and experience, and the sort of job you're looking for.
Your best chance of obtaining certain jobs abroad is to apply in person, when success is often simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Many companies don't advertise but rely on attracting workers by word of mouth and their own vacancy boards. Shops often put vacancy notices in their windows and newsagents may also display job advertisements from employers on a notice board, although these are generally only for temporary or part‑time help. It's advisable to leave your name and address with a prospective employer, and, if possible, a telephone number where you can be contacted, particularly if a job may become vacant at a moment's notice. Advertise the fact that you're looking for a job, not only with friends, relatives and acquaintances, but with anyone you come into contact with who may be able to help.
The Internet
The Internet provides access to literally thousands of websites for jobseekers, advertising millions of job vacancies, including recruitment companies, corporate websites, and newspaper and magazine job advertisements (you can use a search engine such as Google to find them). The rapid development of the Internet has also led to a big increase in the number of online recruitment agencies and job search sites and job boards. Some sites charge a subscription fee to access their vacancy listings, but most permit jobseekers to review and respond to listings free of charge.
Millions of people use the Internet to find a new job and many companies do most of their recruitment via their own websites.
It's also possible to post your CV online (again, usually free), but it's wise to consider the security implications of this move. By posting your home address or phone number in public view, you could be opening yourself up to nuisance phone calls or even worse. Some websites allow you to exclude certain companies, such as your present and previous employers.
Salaries
It can be difficult to determine the salary you should command abroad and getting the right salary for the job is something of a lottery. Salaries can also vary considerably for the same job in different parts of a country. A decade or so ago, working abroad (particularly in the Middle East) was highly attractive mainly because of the very high salaries offered, particularly in countries with low or no personal taxation. Although this is still true to some extent, salaries and expatriate packages are now generally less generous.
Those working in major cities are usually the highest paid, mainly due to the higher cost of living (particularly accommodation), although if you're employed in a remote area you may receive a 'hardship' allowance. Salaries are usually negotiable and it's up to you to ensure that you receive the level of salary and benefits commensurate with your qualifications and experience (or as much as you can get!). Minimum salaries exist in some countries in many trades and professions, but generally it's every man (or woman) for himself (herself). Salaries in some companies, trades and professions (particularly public sector government posts) are decided by national pay agreements between unions and the government.
Working Conditions
Working conditions in most countries are largely dependent on an employee's individual contract of employment and an employer's general employment conditions. Many aspects of working conditions are set by governments, and although many employers' pay and conditions are more generous than the statutory minimum, employers in many countries offer pay and conditions that are actually illegal. In many countries there's a huge disparity between the working conditions of hourly paid workers and salaried employees (i.e. monthly paid), even those employed by the same company. As in most countries, managerial and executive staff generally enjoy a much higher level of benefits than lower paid employees. Employees hired to work abroad by a multinational company may receive a higher salary (including fringe benefits and allowances) than those offered by local employers.
Nationals of EU member states working in other EU countries have the same rights as local citizens, for example with regard to pay, working conditions, vocational training and trade union membership. The employment conditions of non‑EU nationals are generally the same as for EU nationals, although employment is usually subject to the granting of a work permit and its renewal.
Bear in mind that in some countries you have few rights and can be fired without a moment's notice or any compensation. In some countries (e.g. in the Middle East) your bank accounts will be frozen if you lose your job and if you have outstanding debts that you're unable to pay you could even be arrested!
Employment Conditions
The term 'employment conditions' (as used here) refers to an employer's general employment terms and conditions (including benefits, rules and regulations) that apply to all employees, unless otherwise stated in individual contracts of employment. General employment conditions are usually referred to in employment contracts and employees usually receive a copy on starting employment (or in some cases beforehand). Certain subjects, such as health insurance and company pension plans, may be detailed in separate documents.
Employment conditions may include the validity and applicability; place of work; salary and benefits; extra months' salary and bonuses; working hours and flexi‑time rules; overtime and compensation; travel and relocation expenses; social security; company pension plan; accident insurance; unemployment insurance; salary insurance; health insurance; miscellaneous insurance; use of company cars; notification of sickness or accident; sick pay and disability benefits; annual and public holidays; compassionate and special leave of absence; allowances and paid expenses; probationary and notice periods; education and training; health and safety; pregnancy and confinement; part‑time job restrictions; changing jobs and confidentiality; acceptance of gifts; retirement; military service; discipline and dismissal; severance pay; and trade union membership.
Contract of Employment
In many countries, a 'contract of employment' exists as soon as an employee proves his acceptance of an employer's terms and conditions of employment, e.g. by starting work, after which both employer and employee are bound by the terms offered and agreed. A contract isn't always in writing, although employers must usually provide employees with a written statement containing certain important terms of employment and additional notes, e.g. regarding discipline and grievance procedures. A written contract of employment should usually contain all the terms and conditions agreed between the employer and employee.
You usually receive two copies of your contract of employment (which may be called a 'statement of terms and conditions' or an 'offer letter'), both of which you should sign and date. One copy must be returned to your employer or prospective employer, assuming you agree with the terms and want the job, and the other (usually the original) is for your personal records. There are generally no hidden surprises or traps for the unwary in a contract of employment provided by a bona fide employer, although, as with any contract, you should know exactly what it contains before signing it. If your knowledge of the local language is imperfect, you should ask someone to explain anything you don't understand in simple English (employers rarely provide foreigners with contracts in a language other than the local language).
