Combine Travel and Career Preparation

Advice to Consider Before Going Abroad

by Jean-Marc Hachey

Whether you are backpacking around the world, visiting distant relatives in a far-off land, or touring a single country with a valid work visit (the BUNAC or SWAP programs offer these work and travel visas), you should consider gaining professional experience while abroad. Traditionally, young travelers find work in seasonal or retail industries to support their travels. Finding these jobs is generally easy, hours are flexible, and you have time to explore. But what if you decide to make use of your time abroad to gain professional work experience instead? Imagine spending the first six months of your 1-year stay gaining career enhancing experience in your field of study and saving the last part of your time abroad for travel. You will boost your future career prospects and have incredible fun doing so. So start thinking about a professional career before embarking on a travel adventure abroad.

Think About Your Career Now

Finding a professional career building position abroad is very feasible, but it takes more effort than securing low-skilled work. Begin your job-hunting strategy before leaving home and you will jumpstart the process.

 Focus on finding professional experience, not a job: Your chances of finding short-term employment in a professional capacity are exponentially greater if employers know up-front that you are looking for entry-level short-term professional work and that you are willing to work for low wages in exchange for professional experience. Say this at the top of your resume and when contacting employers. You can even use the term internship if the term is familiar in your host country.

 Overseas professional experience has great career value: Any type of work while abroad is considered an “international work experience” and this looks good on a resume. The assignment can be as short as two weeks and still have great career value. In terms of resume impact, if your experience was in your professional field, your resume will speak volumes about the kind of candidate you are.

 Offer to work for low wages — experience is what counts: Always say “yes” to a job that gives you professional experience over a job that pays more. Let employers know that you are willing to work for low wages, a small stipend, or in exchange for room and board if circumstances permit — all with the objective of getting professional experience. If the wages are low, consider a part-time job in the evening to subsidize the low wages of your professional job. Remember, professional experience now will pay off exponentially later in your career.

 Focus on finding professional work during the first phase of your time abroad, not the last phase: Professional work and holiday time do not usually mix well. Use the energy you have when you first arrive to look for professional work. If you don’t hit the ground running, you will find it difficult in the latter stages of your time abroad to shift into the business mode required to land a professional position. In short, save the fun and travel for the second half of your time abroad.

 What does it take — something extraordinary: There is no doubt that you need to show entrepreneurship when looking for professional work. You will need to impress a local employer to take a chance on hiring you. You will need to be bold (but polite). Organization, persistence, and being fearless in phoning and networking is important. Work every angle and advantage you have. These are the characteristics that employers expect you to have when you work for them, so do something equivalent while you job search. Do small extraordinary things well and you will succeed.

Pre-Departure Details

Take a serious look at the tools you need for effective job hunting:

 Business clothing: Be ready for interviews with professional attire. You may not have room for extra baggage, but you need to pack two dress shirts, dress pants or business skirt, a business jacket and dress shoes. If you land a position, purchase additional clothing from a local second-hand shops to save funds.

 Your job-search portfolio: You will be able to sell yourself quickly to employers if you bring a portfolio of your work. While this strategy is traditionally most suited for those in the creative industries, increasingly others are creating “portfolio” websites and CD-ROMs to sell their wares. Include essays and samples of your past work.

 Resume materials: Before leaving, have multiple copies of your CV pre-printed on quality paper. Keep your CV in a plastic cover to protect it from being rumpled in your backpack. Purchase a leather-type document holder to look professional when meeting employers. Make sure that you have access to a broad selection of your important computer files (for the job search and your portfolio) on a CD or portable drive.

 Reference letters before you go: In a traditional job search you write, “References available upon request” on the resume. In an overseas job search the situation is different. You want to impress employers immediately so that they can make hiring decisions quickly. Therefore, you should include reference letters directly with your resume. Assemble these letters before you go. Don’t forget to “coach” your references about the type of job you will be applying for so that they can write a letter addressing those objectives.

 Local mobile phone: Consider arranging for a mobile phone upon arrival. It greatly facilitates all aspects of the job search; and better still, you can stay in touch with friends and family.

 Business cards: Consider creating a business card (you can make your own) to hand to potential employers. Include your name, email (with professional sounding name), your website (if professional), cell phone (if local), career objective (e.g., internship or short-term contract work in the field of…), indicate if you have a work visa and include a short mention of your expertise, and key qualities. No need for local address since it will probably change.

Pre-Departure Job Search Essentials

Start looking for work before you go. Spend three or four full days doing this before your departure. Ideally, start two months before you leave, although it is not too late to start two weeks before your departure.

 The pre-departure job search strategy: The essential idea is to email employers that you will be arriving shortly in your host country and that you would like to set up an interview for a professional work placement or internship. Consider phoning potential employers while still at home; employers will take note of a long-distance phone call. When you arrive in your host country, call employers and ask for an informational interview even if they have not replied to your original email or replied negatively. Use charm and professional determination to get your foot in the door.

 Prepare a 2-paragraph professional description of yourself: This strategy is more important than you might think. You will need a short professional description of yourself when cold-calling employers. One key point aside from your skills is to tell employers you are looking for low wages in exchange for professional work experience, and indicate if you have a valid work permit.

 Prepare a resume and cover letter: Target your field of expertise and mention the key points of your career objective.

 Target one industry in the city of your choosing: Research 25 companies in your industry that have an office located in your city of destination. Find employers by using Google and Internet Yellow Pages. Extend this list by researching local industry associations. Build an MS Word document with one employer per page that includes: the organization name, contact name, title and address, description of the organization. After building your list and getting a sense of who the players are in your industry, begin emailing and phoning them before leaving your home country and again upon arrival. Phone calls have great value.

 Be forward when networking and contacting employers: The charm of a bright, enthused, articulate, and prepared international job seeker will go a long way toward impressing employers. The job search is a series of “no, no, no…” and then one “yes.” Stay committed.

 What type of professional jobs should I target? The choice is easy for an engineer or graphic artist. For others, such as a sociology or linguistics major, choosing a target for your job search might seem difficult. The key to choosing the correct job search target is to understand your key skill sets. What are the dominant features of your professional personality? Figure out your best skills and target these types of jobs. An outgoing person should work in sales, customer service, or public relations. A shy but process-oriented person should work in systems jobs; if also a good writer, consider technical writing. The job search will be easier if you target but remain open to alternatives when they arise.

A Last Word

Don’t miss the value of a professional position abroad for your future career. Go forth and look for professional assignments abroad. Use your entrepreneurial zeal. Make the sacrifices necessary to secure these positions and reap the rewards. Good luck!

Jean-Marc Hachey is recognized across North America for his practical career advice and encyclopaedic compilation of resources on all aspects of international careers. A writer, consultant, and public speaker, Hachey has helped launch thousands of international careers.