The Networking Manifesto for International Employment: Part 8

Resources for Networking for International Jobs

By Zahara Heckscher
Contributing Editor and Columnist on Volunteering and Work Abroad for Transitions Abroad

Polishing Your Networking Skills

Many of my tips about ethical networking were derived from networking guru Keith Ferrazi and his  online community. In addition, I highly recommend his email list and blog. Keith’s books include Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back; his email list is free to join and his online community is vibrant and supportive. www.keithferrazzi.com.

www.toastmasters.org.
Of the service clubs mentioned in this series, I find Toastmasters to be especially encouraging and helpful...and you’ll improve your speaking skills while you meet others.

www.rotary.org
Your local rotary club is a wonderful way to meet other leaders in your community and provide community service at the same time. Rotary has a strong international network and commitment to international understanding and development.

Making Contacts in the Country Where You Want to Work

TransistionsAbroad.com lets you search by region and country for tips about teaching and other exciting work and volunteer opportunities.

Toastmasters and Rotary, mentioned above, have chapters in countries around the world.

Idealist.org can be used to search for nonprofit organizations and schools overseas, as well as volunteer opportunities that will help you get connected to the local community.

I could direct you to dozens of other resources for networking in specific countries, but luckily for you (and me) someone else has already done so. Going Global has superb country by country content. Check with your alma mater to see if you qualify for full access to the Going Global site, otherwise, you’ll find quite a bit of useful information for free, and might consider investing in a country report for about $20. These reports give you tons of details including visa issues and local service clubs you can join. GG is stronger for the corporate sector than for nonprofits, but still, you’ll find the resources helpful.

Clarifying Your Job Search Goals

Some of us start a job search and realize we need to rethink our career. Yes, I’ve been there. My favorite guide for clarifying career is the user friendly, What Color is Your Parachute: The Job Hunter’s Bible, by the amazing Dick Bolles.

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live by Martha Beck .

If you are a faith based person, and know some Quakers, you might like to explore the process of discernment: www.discoverthyself.org/discernment/.

If you find that you can’t find just one thing that works for you, read Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher.

And if are in a mid-career change, you may like Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis.

If you know of additional resources for international job networking, or seek another type of resource, please use the comment field at the end of this article.

Happy networking!

ZAHARA HECKSCHER is the co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, which includes evaluations of over 80 volunteer programs and suggestions for preparing to volunteer. She offers workshops on international volunteerism at college campuses around the country. For more information and tips, visit www.volunteeroverseas.org.

Zahara also teaches online workshops for MelibeeU, an innovative professional development virtual space for international educators and students. More details can be found at MelibeeU.