It was also an excellent venue for meeting with representatives from several of our current subscribers and we look forward to continuing to provide the service and support so that Goinglobal.com remains a valuable and useful tool for supporting career services. Below is the list of attendees who currently subscribe to Goinglobal.com’s career information tools:

• Aston Business School
• Audencia Nantes School of Management
• Cambridge Judge Business School
• Cass Business School
• EDHEC Business School
• ESADE
• Grenoble Ecole de Management
• HEC Paris
• IAE Aix Graduate School of Management
• IE Business School
• London Business School
• Manchester Business School
• Nottingham University Business School
• RSM Erasmus University
• Sauder School of Business, UBC
• SDA Bocconi School of Management
• Thunderbird School of Global management
• UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Strathclyde Business School
• Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
• Wake Forest University
• Washington University – Olin School of Business

For us it was a pleasure to be an attending sponsor for the MBA CSC European Conference and we are looking forward to the upcoming MBA CSC 2012 U.S. conference in Seattle, Washington (June 19-22).

Idealist.org

URL: http://www.idealist.org/

Idealist.org’s mission is: “Idealist connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives. Idealist is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. Our work is guided by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.”

Job listings can be searched in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French) and also focus on location and duration of opportunities. The site includes paid, volunteer openings and internship listings. The advanced search form is located at http://www.idealist.org/search/v2/advanced

The site offers a free membership option that enables users to set up a profile and provide social media links, personal mission statements, connections to other registered users and tracking of opportunity listings.

Development Executive

URL: http://www.devex.com

DevEx offers both free and premium (members only) content about working in international development. News and reports about international assistance agencies (e.g., USAID, AusAID, DFID, etc.) are available but with limitations on their access based upon membership level. A Career Account will provide standard access to job and internship seekers while an Executive account would be more suitable to professionals with greater experience and seeking to access more reports on the site. Another benefit of membership is the ability to increase visibility of a CV to any employer organizations using DevEx.

The job search tool is available at http://www.devex.com/en/jobs and enables visitors to search public listings without creating an account on the site.

DotOrgJobs

URL: http://www.dotorgjobs.com/

Maintained by onPhilanthropy.com, this site features job listings for international locations and also allows users to narrow the search focus by category, keywords and experience level.

Jobs4Development

URL: http://www.jobs4development.com/

Managed by a European-based organization, this site offers job listings in regions around the world. The opportunities listings can be filtered by: region, contract type, organization type, experience level, and sector. The listings appear to be smaller in quantity than on other sites mentioned here.

DevNetJobs.org

URL: http://www.devnetjobs.org/

Job listings are available to the general public and also to registered members on the site. Some of the job listings are restricted to paid members. Membership can be purchased in 3-month increments and also offers an optional resume broadcast service. The public job listings are extensive and could be a solid starting point for a nonprofit job seeker.

Geneva Jobs

URL: http://www.genevajobs.org/

A related site to DevNetJobs.org, Geneva Jobs offers visitors tools to network for International Development, Health, Aid, Environment jobs and consultancies in Switzerland and Europe.

International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA)

URL: http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

This site includes listings for volunteer opportunities in the USA and overseas. A search form is available on the site at http://www.volunteerinternational.org/search.cfm and enables a visitor to search by location, types of volunteer work and project duration. The main website also offers a collection of International Jobs links.

DevelopmentAid.org

URL: http://www.developmentaid.org/

Public job listings can be searched based upon keyword, location, language, work experience, and sectors. Listings span multiple regions around the world and include both entry-level and positions requiring previous experience.

An expanded job listing is available to members. The paid membership version of the site enables users to join either as Experts or Individual Professional Members. There is also a “CV Broadcast” service available to members.

Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN)

URL: http://www.ynpn.org

This organization is based in the United States and has multiple chapters located throughout the continental US. Their mission statement includes the following objective: “We engage and support future nonprofit and community leaders through professional development, networking and social opportunities designed for young people involved in the nonprofit community.”

For people looking to learn more about effectively working in the nonprofit sector there are also online resources covering the following topic areas:

• Finance
• Fundraising
• General nonprofit topics
• Governance

While this organization is focused on nonprofit work in the USA, the training and professional development resources through local chapters can provide a means for international professionals to improve their knowledge during study abroad in the United States.

UN Jobs

URL: http://www.unjobs.org

This site offers listings of positions related to United Nations programs throughout the world. A basic site search is available. Listings appear to be primarily in English. Links to internship listings are found at http://unjobs.org/themes/internship

Current subscribers to GoinGlobal’s organization-level services have access to job search tools that can identify international nonprofit opportunities and internships. GoinGlobal’s website offers more information about organizational subscriptions for corporations and academic institutions on our website.

Diplomacy

Department of State

The Mission Statement for the Department of State reads: “Shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere.” This purpose spans multiple activities and international diplomatic efforts carried out by Foreign Service Officers and specialists along with civilian employees and organizations working overseas. Some of the job roles that exist within the Department of State include:

• Foreign Service Officer
• Civil Service Officer
• Foreign Service Specialist
• Diplomatic Security

More information about the various options for working with the Department of State can be found on their website.

Foreign Commercial Service

Opportunities definitely exist for anyone interested in promoting business expansion and development on a global basis. The US Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Business units within the US Commercial Service include:

• Import Administration
• Manufacturing and Services
• Market Access and Compliance

Becoming a Foreign Service Officer who works with the Commercial Service requires successful completion of the US Commercial Service Assessment (comprised of an oral and written examination). There are also opportunities as a Limited Non-career Foreign Service Officer – a person who is hired as Foreign Commercial Service Officers for specific duty stations and tours of duty based on specialized skill or experience that they possess. Limited Non-career Foreign Service Officers’ first tours of duty are limited to two years.

Student Volunteer Internships are also a means to learn more about the Commercial Service and gain valuable insights into international trade and business development.

“The purpose of the Student Volunteer Internship Program is to provide college or university juniors, seniors, and graduate students with “hands-on” experience working for US&FCS.  The program is uncompensated and designed to encourage students to consider careers in the international business field.” – US Commercial Service Employment page

Foreign Agricultural Service

This service links US agriculture to international markets to enhance export opportunities and global food security. The service engages in four main program and service areas:

• Trade Policy
• Market Development and Export Assistance
• Data and Analysis
• International Development (both independently and in partnership with USAID)

Possible career paths with the Foreign Agricultural Service include both Civil Service and Foreign Service. There are also limited term international development positions that can last up to 13 months (and may be renewed). For students interested in working with the FAS, there are programs such as:

• International Agriculture Internship Program
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internship Program
• Washington Internships for Native American Students Program (WINS)

Development

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID operates around the world to support initiatives in agriculture, democracy & governance, economic growth, education, gender equality & women’s empowerment, humanitarian assistance, and the environment. The geographic scope of USAID’s work includes Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Europe & Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Some of the ways that individuals can work with USAID include:

• Civil Service
• Foreign Service
• Inspector General
• Student Internship Programs
• US Personal Services Contracts (PSC) (listings for these positions are found on FedBizOpps)

The Agency for International Development also works through global partnerships to achieve its program goals. Their website states: “USAID is committed to an approach that recognizes and incorporates the efforts of partnership and private giving, focusing on grassroots support, local ownership, sustainability, accountability, and–not least–passion and commitment.” Job seekers who are looking for opportunities in international development should also consider contacting organizations that are in partnership with USAID.

Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)

This office is a part of USAID that is responsible for providing non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. It is organized into three divisions:

1. Disaster Response and Mitigation (DRM) — works on coordinating with other organizations to deliver relief supplies and humanitarian assistance
2. Operations Division (OPS) — develops and manages logistical, operational, and technical support for disaster response
3. Program Support (PS) — provides programmatic support such as budget/financial services, procurement planning, contract/grant administration and other activities

Additional information about the ongoing work and mission of OFDA is available on the USAID/OFDA website. Current position and job openings are listed on the GlobalCorps website at http://www.globalcorps.com/jobseek.html.

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

“The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives.” – excerpted from the PEPFAR.gov website

The PEPFAR program focuses on improving the health of women, newborns and children and supporting countries as they work to improve the health of their populations. Working with the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) ranges from positions in Civil and Foreign Service to contractors on temporary and permanent assignments. Skill sets in public health, foreign assistance programming, strategic planning, Congressional and public affairs, budgeting and management are all applicable.

The OGAC also participates in student programs including internships and fellowships. There is additional information about the student programs at http://careers.state.gov/students.

Law Enforcement

For those interested in working with law enforcement, various US agencies assign their personnel to overseas assignments. Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) cooperate with international counterparts on a wide range of initiatives. A search for “law enforcement US Embassy” on any major internet search tool will yield multiple links to embassies around the world and information about their law enforcement programs. Overseas assignments can be a means to achieve greater professional diversity as part of a career in US law enforcement.

Another example of law enforcement overseas is part of the Department of State and organized under the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. There are multiple roles that someone interested in law enforcement could pursue including:

• Special Agent
• Security Engineering Officer
• Security Technical Specialists
• Diplomatic Couriers
• Civil Service positions

Health

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

The Center for Disease Control has a Global Health division that coordinates and manages the agency’s resources to address challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, emergency and refugee health, non-communicable diseases, injuries and other areas of activity that are listed on their Global Health Programs page.

CDC has the following description of qualifications for overseas jobs:

To qualify for CDC overseas jobs, you must be able to work independently and adapt to new situations and changing environments. Successful candidates typically have a post graduate degree (masters or doctorate) or college plus relevant specialized experience, outstanding written and oral communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.

CDC global health programs typically hire overseas employees at a relatively senior level, GS-13 or its equivalent in the Commissioned Corps/U.S. Public Health Service. If you are currently at a lower grade, consider applying first for domestic positions that will provide qualifying experience.

Current listings of job announcements for the CDC are posted on the USAJOBS website.

Additional Resources

• USAJOBS – US Federal Government’s official one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information
• USAID Careers page
• Department of State careers page
• US Commercial Service careers page
• Foreign Agricultural Service careers page

Find US Government jobs at USAJOBS.gov

China

The ongoing growth in the Chinese market suggests that opportunities continue to become available in multiple sectors. Manpower released a report on employment outlook for 2Q 2012 that offered the assessment that “With 21% of employers expecting to increase staffing levels, 2% forecasting a decrease and 50% predicting no change, the Net Employment Outlook stands at +19%.”

Singpore

According to a 2011/2012 employment outlook and salary guide, there is a continuous demand for talent in the Information Technology, Engineering, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Banking and Finance sectors in Singapore. It was noted that in many of the industries mentioned, the more successful candidates were those who could add value to a company’s operations due to their combination of skills and their ability to begin working with limited amounts of coaching or orientation.

Japan

The economic recovery in Japan is also fueling opportunities in mining and construction sectors. In a recent article on Goinglobal.com, it was also highlighted that “employers in the Asia Pacific region cited sales representatives, technicians and laborers as the most difficult employees to find due to lack of available talent.” Read the full article on Goinglobal.com.

India

The really hot MBA market is India which is experiencing an explosion in employer demand for MBAs; up 43% in 2010 and 57% in 2011 according to a TopMBA.com survey. Hiring of MBA degree holders occurs among both multinational and locally focused companies. Opportunities exist for both internationally educated MBAs as well as local MBAs from the India market.

Additional Resources

• Manpower Employment Outlook Surveys (by country)
• Manpower Group (in Chinese)
• Kelly Services – Singapore
• GMAC Surveys

Despite all the challenges to the country, Japan is showing the world a tale of resilience and solidarity as it works together to improve its economic situation. Japanese employers are hiring again across most job sectors, and they feel optimistic about their continued future growth. The return of foreign workers and those possessing soft skills is needed, and employers search for the talent needed to fill the jobs available as the country recovers.

Japan’s Labor Force

Japan’s labor force consists of some 65.9 million workers. Most are highly educated, with more than 50 percent of high school graduates going on to higher education at junior colleges and universities. If those attending technical and specialized schools are included, the percentage increases to more than 70 percent, according to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent recently, with 2.76 million people without jobs, a decrease of 14.0 percent from the previous year. However, it is important to note that these statistics exclude the three prefectures — Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima — that were hit hardest by the earthquake.

There are only around 2 million foreign permanent residents of Japan. After the earthquake and tsumami, some foreigners, many of them Chinese, left their jobs either to move temporarily further south or to leave Japan altogether. These departures were controversial and were widely published in the Japanese and international media. The loss of so many foreign workers is another challenge to recovery.

Japan wants the foreign workers to return. In fact, the Department of Immigration announced last spring that anyone previously in Japan on a technical training or student visa could return without a re-entry if their former employer wants them back.

A recent survey by the Japanese government revealed women hold only 8 percent of managerial jobs in Japan (compared to the US, where women hold 43 percent of supervisory positions). In fact, only 65 percent of college-educated Japanese women are employed, with many of them in low-paid temporary jobs. This is “a significant lost economic opportunity for the nation,” according to a recent Goldman Sachs report. More than two-thirds of Japanese women leave the work force after their first child, often as a result of cultural norms, as well as insufficient child care. If Japan’s 60-percent female employment rate rose to 80 percent (the rate among men), there would be 8.2 million more workers “to replenish its rapidly aging population and raise its gross domestic product by as much as 15 percent,” said the report.

In a recent report on the impact of Japan’s triple disasters, the International Monetary fund (IMF) urged that the country’s efforts to provide temporary assistance to firms and workers “could be further complemented by targeted training and job search
assistance. The earthquake also provides an opportunity to accelerate broader labor market reforms and measures to raise employment opportunities for women, the young, and the old.”

The Robert Walters Asia Job Index tracks the volume of print and online advertisement for professional positions. The Index reports that the earthquake and tsunami did affect recruitment advertising levels, with job advertisements down 7.3 percent soon after the disasters. However, there has been strong demand for construction and IT professionals. And companies recently began to replace jobs in administration and account servicing that had been cut back during the global economic downturn.

And while the outlook from many international head offices is cautious, the sentiment within Japan remains positive. One sector that still suffers from a degree of conservatism is the medical industry. Recruitment activity fell by 23 percent soon after the earthquake, as many biotech companies reassessed their Japanese operations and considered opportunities for relocation.

Hiring Increases in Most Job Sectors

The most recent Employment Outlook Survey conducted by Manpower, Inc., a leading global employment services provider, found Japanese employers were optimistic about overall hiring plans, which should result in healthy opportunities for jobseekers through the end of the year. The survey interviewed a representative sample of 1,326 employers in Japan. Sixty-two percent of the employers interviewed anticipate no change in their hiring plans, 14 percent expect to increase headcount during the next quarter, while only 6 percent expect to reduce their workforces during that time, “perhaps indicating a growing measure of labor market stability in the upcoming months,” according to Manpower.

Employers in all three regions of Japan expect to increase their workforce in the next three months, and employers in most industry sectors expect the hiring pace to increase from three months ago. Job prospects are strongest in the manufacturing sector, where employers are working to return production to the levels prior to the earthquake and tsunami.

Employment is up from last year in the finance, insurance and real estate sector as well as the mining and construction and the services sectors. Employers in the transportation and utilities, and the wholesale and retail trade sectors also report slightly higher employment than last year.

Jobseekers in public administration and education are likely to encounter a stagnant hiring environment, with employers there reporting the only negative hiring trend of any segment.

But, even though general demand in education is stagnant, Japan is seeing “an English crisis.” English teachers are needed for legions of Japanese businessmen, or “salarymen,” who need to polish their skills in English as Japanese companies look increasingly into overseas business opportunities.

In its most recent Global Talent Shortage survey, Manpower found that 80 percent of employers in Japan were having difficulty finding suitable talent to fill open positions. By way of comparison, the global average is 34 percent. Employers in the Asia Pacific region cited sales representatives, technicians and laborers as the most difficult employees to find due to lack of available talent. According to Manpower, sales representatives have been the most difficult position to fill in the region every year the survey has been conducted. Laborers and researchers have moved up in the rankings compared to previous years, while skilled trades workers and executive/management positions have moved down.

According to human resources firm Robert Walters, executive-level HR positions have been in demand as companies reorganized their businesses. Mid and junior-level hiring is expected through the rest of this year. Financial analysts and controllers have been in demand in finance departments, and a growing number of experienced managers have been hired in supply chain departments, especially in small to medium-sized firms.

Robert Walters Osaka also reported recently that young, aggressive sales professionals were in demand in Osaka, stressing that the ability to generate business locally was often more important than ability in speaking English. Software sales positions also saw a boost in demand. Financial analysts and engineers with bilingual skills were in demand, because they often report to foreign managers based locally or abroad.

In Kansai, the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors have showed strong performance. Government policies offering incentives for generic medicine drove the demand. A decline in recruitment activity in electronics manufacturing is due to the outsourcing to markets such as China and Korea. Robert Walters Osaka anticipates this outsourcing trend to continue. Salaries within Osaka remained largely unchanged from last year.

Robert Walters expects sales staff to be strongly recruited through the rest of this year, as continued investment in business development in Kansai drives demand. Ongoing globalization strategies should prompt hiring of bilingual candidates especially in accounting, finance, supply chain, HR and marketing.

Hays Specialist Recruitment, a global human resources firm, reports soft skills are in demand in Japan. Employers are seeking candidates with interpersonal, leadership, organizational and language skills. Often, however, candidates tend to focus on the technical or hard skills, says Christine Wright, managing director of Hays in Japan. “Yet these soft skills are highly sought after by employers, who are typically looking for a candidate who not only possesses all the technical requirements needed to perform the role, but who can also bring these additional soft skills to the organization.

Hays is seeing a shortage of candidates with the right technical skills as well as the additional soft skills that employers want in the candidate they will employ. Some employers are becoming more flexible in their requirements and will offer training to a candidate who is otherwise a good fit for the role. But others will hold out for a candidate that matches all their skill requirements – both hard and soft.

Robert Walters reports gradual increases in salaries through the first half of this year in Japan. After the earthquake, higher salaries were necessary to tempt candidates to change jobs, as most were focused on job stability. Top-tier professionals were able to command 7-10 percent increases as well as multiple job offers. The current shortage of candidates is expected to lead to competitive hiring, and salaries are expected to continue to rise as businesses seek to attract the best candidates.

Japan’s Recovery is Ongoing

Japan’s recovery from the natural disasters of 2011 is ongoing, but experts believe in the resilience of the country and its people. According to the International Monetary Fund “The Great East Japan earthquake has had a profound impact on Japan’s economy and is likely to influence policies for some time.” Despite its many challenges, Japan is working to improve its economic situation and the outcome of that is jobs and more jobs.

Additional Resources

• The Knowledge@Wharton podcast includes a “Crisis in Japan: What Will the Costs Be?” episode that can provide additional perspectives on Japan’s recovery.
• Global Talent Shortage Survey 2011 – Manpower, Inc.
• Japan is Forced to Change as it Reaches ‘Inflection Point’ – YouTube segment that talks about the 2012 outlook for Japan and at the 4:05 mark there is some commentary about employment prospects.
• Current listings on jobstefl.com could suggest an ongoing demand for ESL teachers in Japan.

Learn from an informational interview

Informational interviews can provide details and perspectives on job roles and career paths that are related to your experience or professional interests. The goal is to build your network and gain insight without coming across as ‘fishing’ for a job offer.

Have a Purpose & Define your Contacts

DePaul’s Career Center offers a useful definition of “informational interview” –

“An informational interview is a brief meeting with a professional currently working in your field of interest. The purpose of an informational interview is not to get a job, but to gain insight. It’s an opportunity for you to get an insider’s perspective on an industry and better understand that person’s position.”

You can further refine your purpose by also asking if you are seeking information to see if a specific job is a potential “good fit” for your career goals or if you are searching for ways to broaden your network to help with your long-term job search.

When defining your contacts think of the variety of connections you have — family, friends, civic or professional organizations you belong to, alumni, professors, and even guest lecturers or featured speakers at academic or professional events. People with whom you have a connection – either personal or professional – will likely be willing to offer their perspectives and advice if you simply ask for it.

Connecting with potential interviewees can be done via email, social media, or telephone. Just keep in mind that having a face-to-face or telephone conversation (i.e., real time) is the best medium for the interview. The career center website from Colorado State University has some great suggestions for how to prepare for and reach out to potential interviewees.

Be Prepared – Do Your Research

One of the best ways to squander an informational interview opportunity is to ask questions that could easily be answered with a bit of online research. Think of the informational interview as a way to catch a glimpse of what is it truly like to work in a specific company or position. The person you have contacted has information that can only be offered by someone who is currently working in the job or industry you are trying to gain an entry to. Be sure to learn the basics of an organization’s or company’s background:

• What do they do/produce?
• Where are their operations located?
• How many people do they employ?
• What are industry news sources saying about them?
• What types of job roles appeal to you and why?

Connect Conveniently

Depending on what your options are you may be able to meet for a cup of coffee or over lunch. For international jobs and career paths, a face to face meeting might not be convenient or feasible. In this case you should consider the benefits of Skype (with the option of video chat in addition to voice-only calls) and connecting over social media (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, or other communication networks). Regardless of the medium (face-to-face or electronic) be sure to limit the interview to a reasonable time frame such as 20-30 minutes.

Have Questions Prepared

In order to make the most of your interview time (and demonstrate some respect for the time your interviewee has offered), you should be prepared with questions. Topics can include:

• Preparations required to get a job or position in the specific industry or career track
• Questions about an organization or company
• Details of day-to-day job activities
• Career prospects for a specific job role
• Requests for referrals to other professionals who might be able to offer additional comments or perspectives for career opportunities

The University of Pennsylvania’s Career Services website has an excellent collection of resources and sample questions (for undergraduate students) that you can use to prepare for your informational interview. For graduate students, the UC Davis Internship and Career Center has suggestions for preparing to conduct an informational interview.

In addition to having questions prepared, you may also benefit from having a copy of your resume on hand. However, you should only offer it if the person you are interviewing asks for it.

Follow Up & Say “Thank You”

After the interview is completed be sure you have contact information for your interviewee so you can send a “thank you” note (either by email or on paper) and stay in touch with them for the future. Now that you have completed the interview your contact can be someone to keep updated on your progress and any future job offers you might receive. By maintaining your networking connection you can potentially repay the favor of your contact’s time either by serving as a information interview resource in the future or simply being a friend and networking contact either locally or for an international connection.

Additional Reading

• GovLoop — top 5 Tips on Informational Interview
• DePaul — Initiating the Conversation
• University of Pennsylvania Career Services – Interviewing Guide (Undergraduate Students)
• Colorado State University – Networking and Social Media

Finding Local Podcasts

Whether you are planning for a short trip or a longer relocation, you need to have access to local details and news so that you can become acclimated to your new home. Podcasts often cover a variety of topics ranging from business practices to local language and culture. Below are a few examples of language and culturally oriented podcast resources:

• Germany — www.dw-world.de (http://bit.ly/zkvoTW)
• Brazil — Podcast listings from podomatic.com (http://bit.ly/xGsDcQ)
• China — China’s top podcasts (http://bit.ly/yegHSo)

A basic search on the internet using the name of the country you are interested in plus the terms “podcast” or “webcast” will help you to identify indexed resources. If you happen to use iTunes, you can also conduct a search on the iTunes system for country and city-specific shows. More information about expat podcasts and some examples pertaining to Thailand can be found on Expatify’s website (http://bit.ly/wjxuun).

Learning more about the business environment

Economist.com offers a variety of “Doing Business In…” video and audio podcasts through their website. Some of the locations they cover include:

• Auckland
• San Francisco
• Beijing
• Moscow
• Johannesburg
• Singapore
• Chicago

You can also find resources from educational sources, particularly when looking at emerging markets. One example is the Thunderbird Knowledge Network series on doing business in Brazil.

Goinglobal.com offers a variety of business, career, and local resource information as part of its Country Career Guides and USA and Canada City Career Guides. You can find more information about additional career and employment resources at Goinglobal.com.

Translate your Resume/CV

It might be tempting to copy and paste your resume or CV into an online translator tool but this can be a risky approach if you aren’t familiar with the target foreign language. Find a native speaker who can review and comment on the initial translation. It is very likely that what you thought your were saying in your resume has been interpreted differently than you intended.

You can also look at hiring an translation service but consider looking to make a connection with someone from the culture or country you are looking to work in. Making a new contact is an excellent opportunity to learn more about another culture and give you some practice in appreciating another point of view when it comes to discussing work experience.

Provide an interpretation of your skills

Depending on the management and work cultural of any country, your achievements need to be seen as offering a “good fit” for a company or organization. As part of your research into the culture of an overseas work environment, take some time to consider what is valued.

For example, you might have exception entrepreneurial talent and multiple skills to work independently on a project to bring it to completion and success. However, if a local culture views team collaboration as a critical element for an organization’s success, your ability to function more independently might be perceived as disruptive rather than an advantage. In this scenario, you might alter the description on your resume to mention how your entrepreneurial abilities include establishing strong relationships that ensured success for your efforts as well as your colleagues or partners.

Recognize how your skills relate to other job roles

If you have previous experience from a job or training while completing a degree, you can also consider how to translate that experience into skills that apply to other job roles. The skills categories on O*NET offer a user-friendly way to look for skills descriptions and then match them to related job descriptions.

Once you have a better understanding of how your skills relate to other jobs, it can be easier to modify your resume or CV to become more tailored to job opportunities you find online.

Improve your ability to use other languages

If you are interested in working outside your home country foreign language skills are usually beneficial, and in some cases, required.

For international development and nonprofit work overseas, language skills are critical as the project work typically occurs in locations where the host country languages are the only ones spoken by residents. In an article on Devex entitled “Foreign Language Skills in International Development: What’s in Demand” (login required), the author describes the variety languages that have seen a growing demand for capable speakers for both development work and humanitarian relief.

You can learn more about resumes and CVs for international destinations on Going Global’s website.

The Goinglobal.com team is comprised of individuals representing many different nationalities who all have one experience in common—we have all lived and worked outside of our home countries. Goinglobal.com is committed to providing “grassroots intelligence” through our team of in-country researchers.

Have Cash on Hand

It used to be more difficult to access your bank accounts while overseas but the previous inconvenience has been replaced by a greater dependance on debit cards and cash access points and automated bank tellers. Travelers and expatriates can now use their bank and credit cards throughout the world, as long as service fees don’t become an issue (and they can add up). However, if you happen to lose your card because of accident or theft or if your card is “eaten” by an automated bank teller it could be several days plus expensive shipping fees to have it replaced. Below are examples of services that can make it easier to travel with more accessible cash resources:

• Moneygram – https://www.moneygram.com – sending money around the world with pick up locations at both banks and, depending on the country, post offices. This option requires you to have an emergency contact in your home country to arrange for the transfer. There are also prepaid cards available that enable a holder to use them where Visa debit cards are accepted.
• Travelex – http://www.travelex.com – offers a cash passport in the form of a rechargeable debit card. This service offers coverage in multiple regions of the globe. You can check the availability of their services on their website.
• Western Union – has an option to send international money transfers but it requires an account sign up and there is a dedicated site for individuals who wish to send money overseas at http://onlinefx.westernunion.com/. There are short-term cash transfer options but the most cost effective is a wire transfer, which takes 1-2 days.

Some credit cards may offer emergency cash transfers but travelers should check on the interest rate and any associated fees that are applicable if the emergency service is used. As with any of the services mentioned above, travelers should conduct additional research before selecting solutions that best meet their needs and traveling conditions.

Have an ID backup plan

Replacing a lost ID (residence card, passport, etc.) becomes a lot harder when you can’t show the authorities that you had the document in your possession prior to its loss or theft. This can be particularly important in any locations that have a threat of street crime or higher potential for burglary.

Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen. You can augment this by storing a scanned copy of your ID in an online storage location that offers file and access encryption.

Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry the originals. If you will be traveling on your own, you might consider using a mail storage and forwarding service to hold the package of copies. In the event the copies are needed, you can notify the service to send the stored package to a destination of your choice.

Stay Informed

OSAC – A primary goal of OSAC is to develop an effective security communication network in overseas locations. Consequently, OSAC invited all U.S. businesses, academia, faith-based groups, and non-governmental organizations to become constituents. Travelers can sign up to receive a newsletter with region-specific information at no cost.

‘Before you start your travels, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the places you plan to visit. Good resources include your library, your travel agent, and the embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries.’ (Source: US Department of State – “A Safe Trip Abroad“)

Find Country-Specific travel advice

Many countries publish travel guidance and updates about conditions in countries around the world. Below are some examples of government travel information sites:

• USA – http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
• Canada – http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
• UK – http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/
• Australia – http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
• South Africa – http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/travel_advice.htm

Additional information can be found in our Country Profiles section.

Other countries in the region also are expected to see growth in the near future.

The World Bank’s Latin America and Caribbean Regional Brief stated:

Fueling LAC’s momentum is a global commodity and food price surge that has largely benefitted agro-commodity producing countries, mostly South American net food exporters, which jointly account for between 30-50 percent of several key food exports globally. By contrast, non export-based Central American and Caribbean economies face the double peril of a food crisis and price hikes in other commodities that can hurt their most vulnerable populations.

Argentina

A wide array of companies operate in Argentina across multiple industry sectors including:

• Telecommunications
• Commercial Banking
• Oil and Gas exploration
• Beverages – Wine production
• Food products – retail and wholesale

Brazil

Networking, and particularly social networking, is a powerful way to expand your connections and potentially identify job or internship opportunities in Brazil. An excerpt from the Brazil Country Career Guide highlights the following advice:

Professionals entering the Brazilian market [should] understand that building personal networks will be an essential feature of business life and will prove just as important as having a good résumé/CV.

One of the most popular social networking sites for Brazilians is Orkut. If you are planning on making new connections establish a profile on the Orkut network as an effective tactic to make new friends before landing in Brazil.

Chile

Searching for a job in Chile can focus on either international companies who are looking for expatriate employees or you can use Spanish-language keyword terms to identify opportunities within multiple industries. Below are some examples of keywords to different industry areas in Chile:

• Arquitectura
• Asesoría
• Banca
• Construcción
• Contabilidad
• Diseño
• Edición
• Educación
• Entretenimiento
• Farmacia
• Hostelería
• Informática
• Ingeniería
• Inmobiliaria
• Logística
• Producción
• Telecomunicaciones
• Transporte
• Turismo

Using host country languages as part of your job search queries on search engines or job search sites is one tactic for expanding the number of job opportunities listed in search results.

Colombia

Gaining work experience overseas can also include taking advantage of volunteer opportunities. A brief internet search identified several potential choices for finding volunteer work in Colombia:

• United Nations Volunteers – Colombia
• Let’s Go Volunteer – Ibague, Colombia
• International Volunteer HQ – Volunteer in Colombia
• Idealist.org also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities

Peru

Peru has expanding international trade ties with multiple countries around the world and offers some of the best cuisine and cultural experiences in South America. The Christian Science Monitor observed:

…Peru has enjoyed an average annual economic growth rate of 7 percent since 2003 or that per capita income has doubled and poverty plummeted from 50 percent to 35 percent in roughly the same time.

More recent reports have highlighted the growth of the agricultural sector, as noted by livinginperu.com

…the Commission for the Promotion of Peru Export and Tourism (PromPeru) revealed that Peruvian agricultural exports reached 136 markets in the first half of the year, 11 more compared to the same period last year.

The main destinations for exports were the U.S. (301 million / 25.4 percent growth), Netherlands (194 million / 40.1 percent), Spain (123 million / 44.1 percent), Ecuador (68 million / 28.6 percent) and France (44 million / 53.9 percent).

Seeing and Finding Opportunities in South America

You can start your job search today for jobs and internships in South America at goinglobal.com where you can submit queries using country-specific and multi-lingual keyword search tools.

Going Global also offers downloadable Country Career Guides that cover Argentina, Brazil and Peru.