So now, after spending some time working in the domestic market, you’re serious about making the most of that opportunity to see the world. Read on, then, for some great tips that should help you find the sort of international finance jobs that will satisfy your wanderlust and enhance your career.
Tip #1
Simply putting “travel finance jobs” into a search engine will yield hundreds of thousands of postings, and you need to be a little more professional and efficient if your search is to succeed.
Seek out specialist web resources which deal specifically with international finance job vacancies in order to cut out any results that appear to be from general recruiting sites — they won’t help you find what you’re looking for.
Tip #2
Think laterally!
If you want to travel overseas for your career, then consider working for an employer based in the US with overseas operations, or for a US subsidiary of a company with an overseas parent.
Finance jobs in hotels, for instance, particularly those with the larger hoteliers, are a good example of the sort of finance jobs that might give you lots of opportunities to travel. Internal transfers between different international operating units are very common and are usually encouraged.
Tip #3
Employers offering finance jobs in Amsterdam will have different requirements than those offering finance jobs in Japan, the UK, Brazil, and so on.
Your resume is a powerful tool here, but you mustn’t treat this document as a “one size fits all” tool; use a basic resume document that you can easily amend to meet the needs and requirements of specific employers and different cultures.
A resume is known as a CV in the UK, for instance, so be sure to find out what it’s called in the country you’re interested in working in.
Tip #4
International head hunters can be of service provided they work for reputable organizations. Unfortunately, many are not so respectable, so you should try to make sure that you only deal with a US-based operation so that you’ll have some recourse if things fail to materialize.
Above all, do not part with money for services until and unless you’re satisfied that said services are genuine and will deliver what you’re expecting.
Tip #5
If you’re looking at working for a new employer in another country, check on any immigration and work visa requirements before you apply in order to cut down on any barriers to an employer considering you for the position.
Americans do not have the automatic right to work in many foreign countries, and are subject to the immigration and visa laws of a each country, so be sure to look into the relevant laws before you contact a potential employer. That said, many employers will provide assistance in obtaining any required residency or work visa documents.
Tip #6
The lure of overseas travel is powerful for those who have been bitten by the bug, but you should never lose sight of why you’re embarking on an overseas stint.
Focus on what you’re going to be able to bring back to a potential employer in the US once you decide to return home. Make enquiries now about what an employer is likely to be looking for here at home for when you decide to return to the US.
Tip #7
Never pay money to anyone upfront for any service in locating a job, whether the job in question is foreign or domestic!
Some services do charge fees and commissions, but you should ensure that everything is transparent and above board. There will always be a free trial available for any service which is reputable and provides real value in your job search.
Tip #8
Show a potential employer that you’ve made efforts to help you assimilate into the local culture of the country you’re heading to.
Developing language skills, reading the newspapers of the country in question, and becoming acquainted with the nation’s customs is very useful, especially if you’re going to be interviewed by an official from that country.
Prior visits to the country will also help you in this regard.
Tip #9
Be realistic in your expectations with regard to both your working life and your home life. Other countries are not America, and there will be differences in all manner of things. The UK, for instance, is known for being five hours ahead of the East Coast but five hundred years behind with the plumbing!
Of course, you won’t impress an overseas employer by arriving and complaining about how you can’t get your favorite brand of ice cream or about how they drive on the “wrong” side of the road!
Be aware of the perceptions that many foreigners have of Americans, and don’t feed any negative stereotypical images.
Tip #10
Show a potential employer that you’re open-minded and are essentially looking to further your career by spending time overseas; your focus is on developing yourself professionally and acquiring new skills and experiences to apply towards furthering your career.
All international employers are aware of the value of overseas assignments, and in many instances, time spent abroad is an integral part of the career development path they want their employees to follow. Accordingly, you should demonstrate that you understand why you’re looking for an overseas position — which goes beyond the simple desire to satisfy your travel bug!
