Chris posts a lot, almost all, let’s just say he’s a hard core fan of Facebook when it comes to sharing our travels. You can actually follow his page here. Whenever he posts about visiting a new place or shares a photo of one of our trips, he always seems to receive at least one or two comments in the vein of “What do you do for a living? Do you ever work? I wish I had a job where I could travel.” To answer for him, “He’s a business management trainee accepting a permanent project manager position for an international company. Yes. You can.”
How can you land an international job?
More expats than ever before are making the leap to find international jobs. From our own experiences of working abroad and meeting other working expats, here’s our list of the top five ways to go international through work.
1. Work for an MNC
To be specific, a multiple organization is defined by communications theorists Drs. James and Larissa Grunig as “an organization with subsidiaries or affiliated companies spread across the globe, several business units, or large and relatively autonomous subunits.” To be simple, a multinational corporation (MNC) is a company operating inside and outside US borders with international offices. This is the route Chris has taken. The international engineering firm he’s employed with has its headquarters in the UK with offices in more than 50 countries.
Finding employment with a MNC is the most secure way to work overseas, but understand you may need to work your way up to a transfer. Start off your search with companies that have a strong overseas presence, such as Coca-Cola or Starbucks, and research their international opportunities. Many MNCs have training programs where you can work in an international office for a limited time or do an exchange with foreign employees.
2. Create a niche business in an under-served market
Many locations abroad are ripe for services that haven’t penetrated the local market. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are up for the challenge, you can export your skill set to meet the international demand. With my freelance public relations firm, this is the path I’ve taken. Aubia Communications specializes in strategic communications planning for expat entrepreneurs looking to stand out in their industries and new locales.
Do some research on where your skill set is most lacking. What can you bring to the market and why is it needed there? After developing your plan to enter the market, be sure to check with the local country’s governing standards on work visas and other business startup regulations.
3. Teach
In our travels, we’ve met a ton of expat teachers. From teaching English as a Second Language to children to visiting college professors, there is always a need of teachers abroad. The most common international jobs for teachers are ESL training and international schools in larger foreign cities.
Check out the resources provided by the State Department or find a legitimate organization that specializes in placing teachers in international positions.
4. Try the simpler life
Many expats find working the here-and-there odd job, just enough to cover their travel and lodging, is the way to go. No contracts, no long-term commitments helps them to keep moving. Be warned, though, this type of working could put you in some legal trouble if you’re not on a working visa and your pay most likely comes under the table.
If you’re not afraid of some heaving lifting, a (legal and legit) offering is the World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms where WWOOFers put in some hours in the field in exchange for a full day’s meals and accommodation.
5. Join the military or the Peace Corps
Though not as flexible as the other options, both of these government entities have the opportunity for work abroad. The US military has installations in countries throughout the world, such as Germany, Belgium and Japan, and the armed forces are frequently deployed abroad in protective and peacekeeping missions. Though a foreign station or deployment is not guaranteed, international jobs with the Department of Defense as active-duty military or civilian employee are obtainable. The Peace Corps, though not a paid international job, can teach you skills to invest in future employment. During your time abroad, your lodging, meals and medical care will be covered.
If you want to take the active-duty military route, check out overseas installations to determine the skill set the units stationed there possess, and then visit your local recruiter to discuss the opportunities for training. If you would rather go the civilian employee route for the DOD, check out postings for civil servant jobs at USAJobs. To pursue volunteer opportunities with the Peace Corps, start the application process on the organization’s website.
What international jobs interest you?
There are so many varying international jobs with extensive travel opportunities. We’ve only covered our top five ideas here, but for more check out the mastermind on the topic, Turner, and his Around the World in 80 Jobs blog where he’s worked from everything as a reality TV production assistant in Bangkok to a pizza maker in Rome. Let me know what your dream international job is in the comments, and let’s see if we can’t help you to make it a reality.
-Monica