Working abroad and gaining experience in an international context are attractive options for many students and graduates and is a valuable addition to any CV

The international challenge

Never before have there been so many opportunities to live and work abroad. Changes in the world economy and developments in education, business, technology, industry and commerce across the world have made this all the more possible. In some cases, international travel and periods spent abroad may be a necessary requirement for a job. International opportunities working for organisations based in the UK are also increasingly popular. For students and graduates with limited experience, popular choices include:

• teaching English
• voluntary work
• casual work
• work experience placements

Before you can begin your search for an opportunity abroad, you may want to spend some time considering what working in another country will mean in a practical level. Pay particular regard to issues such as language requirements, qualifications, salaries and adapting to a different culture. You will almost certainly need to look into:

• visa and work permit requirements;
• different recruitment practices
• the practical implications of travel and relocation.

International job searching

Whichever type of opportunity you are looking for, successful international job searching depends on a number of factors including:

• how much time you spend researching opportunities and planning your job search;
• the type and level of job you are looking for;
• the country in which you would like to work;
• the competitiveness of the job market in your chosen field;
• the employment skills you have to offer.

Getting started

The internet is a useful tool for international job search and much of your research will be web-based and there is a range of 'Useful links' in the section below.  However, we also provide a number of useful resources to help you investigate international opportunities including useful reference books, files on working abroad and volunteering overseas.

Prospects (www.prospects.ac.uk) provides a good starting point for those interested in working abroad and contains a range of information on working and studying abroad which is divided up into particular countries.

The Kompass website (www.kompass.com) has a searchable database of worldwide businesses and companies.

EXODUS (campus based only). The EXODUS database provides information on living, working and studying abroad. There is general information on how to get started, as well as country specific information and resources.

Useful websites

Working in Europe and Asia - GTI guide to jobs and salaries

www.nases.org.uk/students/content/index.php?page=235123 - country guides

AuPairCare became one of the first agencies designated by the United States Department of State to legally sponsor au pairs to come to the United States.  In the past, AuPairCare has successfully recruited more than 30,000 au pairs from over 40 countries (www.aupaircare.eu/uk)

EURES (http://europa.eu/) - The European Job Mobility Portal is a network that links public employment services in Europe. Its role is to help people move freely and take up work in other member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). The website includes details of job opportunities throughout Europe.

International Job Online  - has opportunities with different employers in a wide range of job sectors.

Eurograduate Live (www.eurograduate.com) has lots of information including vacancy listings, for those wishing either to work or to study in Europe.

Careers Europe (www.careerseurope.co.uk) is useful for those wishing either to work or to study in Europe and has a helpful FAQ section.

Hobsons Global website (www.hobsons.com) has a searchable database of graduate employers, jobs and work placements in various countries.

TARGETjobs website (http://targetjobs.co.uk) has a searchable database of European employers, see also:

• Careers in Ireland: www.gradireland.com
• Careers in Germany: www.staufenbiel.de
• Careers in Switzerland: www.staufenbiel.ch

EUROPA (http://europa.eu) is the European Union’s website and provides information about the different institutions of the EU.

IAESTE (http://www.iaeste.org.uk/): International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience

Cross Cultural Solutions www.crossculturalsolutions.org

The European Personnel Selection Office (http://europa.eu/epso) section of the website provides information on: a career in the institutions of the EU; details of competitions and online applications; details of work experience opportunities for graduates (traineeships or 'stages')

The EU Staffing Unit (www.ukrep.be/working.html) “aims to facilitate the entry of UK nationals to EU Institutions”

The College of Europe (www.coleurop.be), located in Bruges and Warsaw, offers postgraduate courses, which may be particularly useful preparation for a career in the EU institutions.

The website www.careersabroad.co.uk  details jobs in the field, field work placements and career opportunities ideal for graduates, students and professionals looking for practical fieldwork experience to enhance their career while at the same time benefiting local non-governmental or aid reliant organisations.

Make a difference in some of the world's most critical conservation and community volunteering projects with Global Vision International (GVI) (www.gvi.co.uk)

Graduate Job Search On-line  directs job-seekers to evaluated job websites according to discipline or the country where they wish to work. It is particularly useful for international students or UK students who wish to work abroad.

Green Jobs International provides information about environmental jobs and careers.

Monetos provides practical information on student life in European countries, available in six different European languages.

Jobaroo (www.jobaroo.com) has information about working in Australia.

OZJAC (www.OZJAC.com.au) information about work and study in Australia.

Catalai China Summer Programme  www.catalai.com connects UK students with China-based work placements, Chinese language study and social activity through cultural exchange.  Please note that there is a charge for the programme.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk/en) website has useful information you should refer to before you travel and includes:

• the political situation in countries that you should refer to before arranging to travel;
• country profiles;
• a list of foreign embassies in the UK;
• a list of UK embassies overseas.

International press

The Kidon Media-Link (www.kidon.com/media-link) website is a comprehensive worldwide directory of newspapers and other news sources searchable by country.

International students

International students may be interested in the International students 'Find work abroad' section on this website.

Teaching opportunities

Below are a couple of examples of specific programmes that provide opportunities for people interested in teaching.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme (www.jet-uk.org) is an official Japanese Government scheme that enables graduates to work as either an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) or a Co-ordinator for International Relations (CIR) in Japan for a minimum of one year.

The British Council Language Assistants programme has opportunities in 20 countries around the world including various countries in Europe, China, Tunisia and Latin America.

The site www.eslbase.com  provides a directory of TEFL training courses in the UK and worldwide, as well as constantly updated TEFL job listings, and information and advice for prospective teachers.

Volunteering overseas

For further information on voluntary work overseas visit our volunteering section, or check the following websites which have links to organisations offering a variety of opportunities in different countries and relating to different projects and career areas.

Volunteering England has a useful section on volunteering overseas that has details of various short and long-term projects.

Time Bank includes an overseas directory of voluntary opportunities.

The www.do-it.org.uk website has a section on volunteering overseas and includes links to career-related volunteering opportunities.

The www.experiencedevelopment.org website is a central portal bringing together a range of information on international development.

The www.worldvolunteerweb.org website provides a range of information, resources and details of organisations linked to volunteering.

www.pacificislandjobs.com  has been established to provide a 'one stop shop' for those wanting to work or volunteer in the Pacific.

Edge of Africa at www.edgeofafrica.com is a non-government South African organisation offering international volunteers the opportunity to visit the country and contribute to their communities and environment.  Please note that there is a cost to volunteers.

>>See international resources for additional job hunting abroad websites