Looking for a job overseas
If you are looking for a job overseas, make sure you have a multipronged strategy to assist you, and it should include networking.
Popular websites tout their enormous job banks, so submitting a resumé has become a common form of job-hunting among the computer savvy. But it is not the most effective way to hunt for a job.{{more}}
Many companies advertise job openings just to comply with company rules. Itâs a formality. The hiring authorities already know who they want for the position, but company rules may stipulate that the position must be made public. In that case, managers advertise, conduct a few interviews, and still choose the person they wanted for the job originally.
If youâve spent any time job-hunting, you will quickly learn that many positions donât quite fit what you are looking for. The job openings at the beginning of the career section in many major foreign newspapers usually require highly-skilled, highly-educated candidates.
Then there are a few positions that you think may fit your qualifications. Following these is a general section that is usually bursting at the seams. But you are overqualified for these jobs and, in addition, they pay poorly. So where are all the good jobs?
The good jobs are waiting in a hidden market. A company may have a vacancy but lack the manpower to conduct a concerted search for a candidate, which is often costly and time consuming. People in human resources departments dread sorting through tons of resumes, many of them from applicants who are unqualified for the position or do not fit the organizational culture. So, instead of advertising, many companies will rely on their internal network of colleagues to help them find a person to fill the position.
Networking gives you access to this hidden market. Your responsibility as a job seeker is to infiltrate this hidden job market so you can learn of the positions that are and even some seasoned professionals are available. This is not a simple task, but it will be the most effective and profitable for you. Unfortunately, most college graduates are not savvy enough or bold enough to step up to the plate and pursue a job through the art of professional relationship building.
If you are wondering where to start, here are a few tips:
First, examine your qualifications and know exactly what you can do for a company, especially as a foreign worker. There are high paying jobs for those with the proper experience.
Second, decide where you want to work geographically.
Third, research the kind of company you would like to work for and make a list of your Top 20.
Fourth, make a list of all the people you currently know locally and overseas and connect with them and let them know what you want to do. You should also ask them for referrals to their colleagues so you can conduct informational interviews.
Fifth, get online and sign up with a few online networking websites like www.Linkedin.com and www.facebook.com. There are professional groups you can connect with within these sites that can assist you.
Last and not least, this can take some time, since many countries are going through tough times. However, occupations like engineering and those in the health care fields are in high demand and companies will assist with the proper work visa.
Karen Hinds President/CEO â
Workplace Success Group,
Toll Free: 1-877-902-2775;
Tel: 1-203-757-4103
A CT Winner of the Make Mine a Million Dollar Business award!
Karen@WorkplaceSuccess.com
www.WorkplaceSuccess.com
Creator of The Workplace Success Program (TM)
http://twitter.com/successatwork
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