Posted on April 18, 2011
Photo attribution to andercismo
Imagine working abroad for the first time, armed with all the information you need to successfully acclimate yourself to the work environment, social scene and overall cultural customs? That is where Goinglobal steps in. Goinglobal is committed to providing you with an arsenal of career information and resources to ease the transition abroad and help you be prepared before you leave. We have career country guides for over 30 countries, written by in-country researchers, aimed to help you as a professional, regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expat.
Every week, we will feature an insight from one of our global career guides to help you achieve your dream of working internationally.
Living in Gumball Machine, Photo attribution to 29cm
Today’s tip: Knowing your cost of living in Italy
Salaries and Cost of Living
Italy is one of the least expensive countries in the European Union. Even though the Euro has made great gains in recent years against the US dollar, average prices in both Rome and Milan are still slightly lower than in New York, North America’s most expensive city, according to investment bank UBS.
Housing
On a per-square meter basis, apartment rent is most expensive in central Rome and least expensive in Milan. Apartment rent in Venice is more expensive than in Florence,
but both are less expensive than Rome. In central Rome, a 30 square meter (323 square feet) apartment rents for 1,100 EUR (1,737 USD) per month. In Milan, a 50 square meter (538 square feet) apartment rents
for 600 EUR (948 USD) per month.
Vacation and Leave
Workers receive a minimum of four weeks of paid holiday, although many receive up to six weeks. There are also 10 public holidays, plus some half-day holidays and feast days for local patron saints. Many Italians choose to take their annual leave during August.
This is just a sample of what you’ll find in the complete Italian country guide. To learn more about Goinglobal and our other country guides, please visit www.goinglobal.com
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on April 7, 2011
Photo attribution to Ripley Daniels
Today’s guest post is brought to you by the Ripley Daniels at Without The Stress. Ripley Daniels is an editor at Without The Stress, a passport, travel visa, and immigration advisory firm located in Los Angeles. They specialize in helping to make the visa and immigration process easier for you. What is fascinating about their post is that rarely do we consider the immigration implications when we fall in love. It’s important to know what kinds of options you have if you decide to take the relationship further and live in the same country. To learn more, visit www.withouththestress.com.
Love knows no boundaries. Thanks to the internet people are finding love across international borders every day. But a particularly interesting trend is the number of Americans who meet and fall in love with Brits on dating sites like Match.com and eHarmony and want to relocate to the U.K. However, as much as couples want to relocate, tie the knot, and start their lives together, the UK Border Agency has made the process of settling in the U.K. anything but simple.
Let’s face it, as Americans, we’ve enjoyed the luxury of globetrotting around the planet freely for decades. For those UK/US couples who have decided to take the next step in their relationship towards marriage, there is often a sense of disbelief that the process is so convoluted. The UK demands that all non-British citizens looking to relocate to the UK must apply for a settlement visa which allows them permanent residency and eventually the opportunity to apply for UK citizenship. On the surface, that doesn’t seem so bad.
A closer look at the process reveals something entirely different. Not only does the application cost a non-refundable $1,000, (depending on the prevailing exchange rate), but the application process itself has become exceedingly difficult. The UK government has dramatically tightened up its borders; a policy initiative fueled by the soaring number of illegal immigrants currently residing in the UK.
The justification is that these measures are an effective means of deterring fraudulent cases and other false relationship claims from those who are only seeking to relocate to the country for health care and other social welfare benefits. The UK consulate demands a dizzying list of supporting documentation which proves that your future or current relationship with a UK citizen is both valid and true.
Photo attribution to Ripley Daniels
Those who are serious about relocating across the pond have three ways to get it done:
- Do it yourself.
- Hire an immigration attorney.
- Hire an experienced visa expert.
For Do it Yourself-ers, it is imperative that you do your research regarding the lengthy online application, daunting list of supporting documents, and the vast array of submission policies in order to dramatically improve your chances of obtaining a UK Settlement visa. Total cost: Approximately $1,000. Total time and stress: off the charts.
For those who plan to hire an immigration attorney, you will have much less work to do, and a lot less stress. But you will pay a pretty penny. And “attorneys”, according to former UK entry clearance officer Myra McKelvie, “usually do not guarantee their work” “I’ve seen thousands of applications botched by attorneys. Its a shame too, because having a denial stamp means forfeiture of the entire application fee and a big “DENIED” stamp on your passport; something that only makes it tougher to get in on future attempts”, she added. Total cost: Approximately $3,500. Total time and stress: Tolerable.
“Another viable, but lesser known option is to hire a travel document expediter. These are firms specializing in helping travelers acquire passports and visas in a hurry”. Most people are completely unaware these firms exist”, say McKelvie. These are people with the expertise to advise clients on visa and immigration matters, but because they are not attorneys, they charge a fraction of what attorneys charge for what is, many times, a better result.
You can easily locate the website of the UK Consulate that serves your jurisdiction to find a list of agencies who may employ such experts. These folks specialize in handling UK visa applications for US travelers and US residents. “Some will even guarantee entry (with the exception of fraudulent applications) into the UK for a very reasonable fee”, she concluded. Total cost: Approximately $1,200. Time and stress: Minimal.
Linda Ripoll is a senior editor at Without The Stress, a passport, travel visa, and immigration advisory firm located in Los Angeles. Myra McKelvie is one of the worldís foremost UK Immigration experts. She is currently offering consulting services at UK Immigration Without The Stress. Prior to her current role, she was an entry clearance officer (ECO) at the UK Consulate in Los Angeles for 15 years. Myra is originally from Glasgow, Scotland.
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Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on March 28, 2011
Photo attribution to Ivan Walsh
When disaster strikes in the country you are working as an expat, what is your exit strategy? Reflecting on the 2.2 million foreigners, including a good number of Americans, currently living and working in Japan, this process becomes that much more pressing.
This month, many overseas workers suddenly found themselves caught in the middle of Japan’s powerful earthquake, along with its aftershocks and resulting tsunami, and are facing the threat of radiation exposure. In another part of the world, the political crisis in Egypt and the Middle East has not only caused food and gas shortages, but Americans working there may face dangerous unrest in the streets.
As businesses expand into new global markets, 10 percent of employees who are sent abroad from the U.S. are assigned to countries that are considered dangerous or have harsh living conditions. While employment in a foreign country can be a dream come true, anyone working outside their native soil should have an exit strategy in place and be prepared for a hasty departure – even if they are working in countries that are considered ‘safe.’
Your first step should be to register with the appropriate embassy and consulate and regularly update your contact information. This will assure you will be notified and continually updated by the U.S. State Department in the event of a disaster or crisis in your host country.
Employers with overseas workers have a priority to protect their human capital abroad and should have a risk management plan in place to ensure their employees are as safe as possible wherever they are in the world. Companies should also buy travel insurance policies, monitor the movement of their employees, and hire medical evacuators and security companies to protect overseas offices.
While both the U.S. government and companies with employees overseas map out strategies to help citizens exit dangerous situations abroad, it is also the responsibility of the individual to be organized and prepared for the unthinkable. A best practice is to keep abreast of local political, social and meteorological developments, and most importantly have a personal safety plan and escape route. Keep a three-day supply of food and water on hand and your key documents in one location. Being prepared helps keep you safe.
We here at Going Global offer these tips (from our expat experiences) for staying safe in a foreign country:
• Stay on top of local political, social and meteorological developments.
• Register with the appropriate embassy and consulate and regularly update your contact information.
• Have a personal safety plan and escape route.
• Plan a way for family members to stay in contact.
• Keep a few vital supplies (food, water, flashlight, battery-powered radio, cell phone with chargers, passport, visas, local maps, emergency phone numbers, first aid kit, etc.) on hand.
• Maintain a reserve of cash in smaller denominations.
• Be aware of the ways to leave the country (planes, trains, ferries, etc.)
• Learn some basic safety skills.
Knowing how you will take care of yourself in the midst of an emergency is vital to a successful time as an expat. You may or may not need to employ that plan. Having a plan, though, is what will help you stay calm amidst potential chaos.
For employment, career and culture resources in other countries, please visit www.goinglobal.com.
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on February 21, 2011
Photo attribution to andercismo
Imagine working abroad for the first time, armed with all the information you need to successfully acclimate yourself to the work environment, social scene and overall cultural customs? That is where Goinglobal steps in. Goinglobal is committed to providing you with an arsenal of career information and resources to ease the transition abroad and help you be prepared before you leave. We have career country guides for over 30 countries, written by in-country researchers, aimed to help you as a professional, regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expat.
Every week, we will feature an insight from one of our global career guides to help you achieve your dream of working internationally.
Today’s Tip: Knowing the cost of living in Argentina
By North American and European standards, the cost of living is very low in Argentina. According to a global cost of living survey for expatriates conducted by UBS, the average cost of a basket of products and services in Buenos Aires is 45 percent of the cost of the same basket in New York, the most expensive city for expatriates in the Americas.
Transportation
Due to road congestion and the high cost of parking in Argentina’s cities, most people utilize public transportation. Each of Argentina’s cities has urban bus, or colectivo, service. In Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario, buses are supplemented with trolley buses which are powered by overhead wires. Buenos Aires has a subway system (known as Subte, short for subterráneo) as well as a network of commuter trains covering its suburbs.
Medical Care and Health Insurance
Argentina’s public health care system has been ravaged by inefficiency, corruption and the paralyzing economic downturn occurring in the early part of this century. Nearly half of all Argentines are covered by healthcare programs funded by their employee union and administered by one of many Obras Sociales. Forty percent do not have health insurance and about 10 percent are covered by private insurance plans. Those who do pay into the public plan pay six percent of the first 4,800 ARS (1,520 USD) in gross earnings plus 1.5 percent of the first 4,800 ARS of gross earnings for each dependent.
This is just a sample of what you’ll find in the complete Argentina guide. To learn more about Goinglobal and our other country guides, please visit www.goinglobal.com
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on February 7, 2011
Photo attribution to andercismo
Imagine working abroad for the first time, armed with all the information you need to successfully acclimate yourself to the work environment, social scene and overall cultural customs? That is where Goinglobal steps in. Goinglobal is committed to providing you with an arsenal of career information and resources to ease the transition abroad and help you be prepared before you leave. We have career country guides for over 30 countries, written by in-country researchers, that help you as a professional regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expat.
Every week, we will feature an insight from one of our global career guides to help you achieve your dream of working internationally.
Today’s Tip: Online and Offline Job Resources in Italy
Roma, Italy
Italy’s job market offers opportunities in several growing sectors, and recent liberalization in labor laws has made employment more flexible. The advent of the Internet Age, when Italian per capita internet usage quickly surpassed that of all other European countries, has allowed the number of innovative web-based employment agencies to flourish.
Online Job Sites
Cambiolavoro.com
http://www.cambiolavoro.com/lavoro.htm (Italian, English)
This website provides a job board, newsletters, advice on CVs and other helpful information.
Cambio Lavoro
Corso Vercelli, 11
20144 Milano
Email: info@cambiolavoro.it, stampa@cambiolavoro.com
Government Employment Resources
Euroguidance Italy – Centro Risorse Nazionale per l’orientamento
http://www.euroguidance.it/ (Italian, English)
This site provides various tools including job search functions, training and educational opportunities for the Italian and the European market.
Email: info@euroguidance.it
Internship Programs
Sportello Stage
http://www.sportellostage.it/ (Italian and English)
This website is a free public service that aims to promote internships in the Italian market for young professionals age 32 and younger. It organizes weekly meetings to update students and young professionals on the current market and various job opportunities (service available upon reservation). It also has a link that allows users to search for internships all over the world (www.europlacement.com).
Sportello Stage – Roma
Via Pavia 6/8
00100 Roma
Tel: +39 064440443
Email: inforoma@sportellostage.it
Sportello Stage – Milano
Via Agnesi 3
20100 Milano
Tel: +39 0258430691
Email: info@sportellostage.it
Staffing Agencies and Temporary Help Firms
Eurointerim
http://www.eurointerim.it/ (Italian)
This is an Italian staffing company that operates mainly in Northern Italy. It has more than 10 years of experience in the Italian market and serves more than 11,000 clients.
Eurointerim spa
Viale dell’Industria 60
35129 Padova
Tel: +39 049 89 34 994
Fax: +39 049 89 35 068
Email: info@eurointerim.it
Executive Recruiters and Search Firms
Cegos Search
http://www.cegos-search.it (Italian, Spanish)
This is an international recruitment firm specialized in the sales/marketing, information technology, finance, human resources, legal and R&D sectors.
Cegos Milan
Piazza Velasca 5
20122 Milano
Tel: +39 02 806721
Email: selezione@cegos.it
Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
Bollettino del Lavoro
http://www.bollettinodellavoro.it/ (Italian)
This is the website of the magazine Bollettino del Lavoro (Labor Bulletin), on sale at the price of 2.00 EUR and containing more than 20,000 job opportunities. This website offers an e-newsletter for job news. The magazine provides information on job fairs and events related to employment all over the country. A fee is required for an annual subscription (21 issues).
Bollettino del Lavoro
Via Savonarola, 16
I-44100 Ferrara
Tel: +39 0532241356
Fax: +39 0532209144
Email: redazione@bollettinodellavoro.it
This is just a sample of what you’ll find in the complete Italy guide. To learn more about Goinglobal and our country guides, please visit www.goinglobal.com
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on January 31, 2011
Photo attribution to andercismo
Imagine working abroad for the first time, armed with all the information you need to successfully acclimate yourself to the work environment, social scene and overall cultural customs? That is where Goinglobal steps in. Goinglobal is committed to providing you with an arsenal of career information and resources to ease the transition abroad and help you be prepared before you leave. We have career country guides for over 30 countries, written by in-country researchers, that help you as a professional, regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expat.
Every week, we will feature an insight from one of our global career guides to help you achieve your dream of working internationally.
Today’s tip: A deeper look into the management structure in France
Eiffel Tower in Paris - Courtesy of olga_LG
Starting a new job, regardless of its geographic location, is always an interesting challenge. This is magnified as you cross foreign borders and enter into the culture of an international company. It is key to understand the differences between your home’s business culture and the country you are moving to or residing in. That will ultimately help you grow in your career at a quicker pace. Today, we highlight elements of the management structure in France, the work ethic of the French and the overall business culture of French companies.
The PDG (President Directeur General) is equivalent to the CEO, and most senior level executives are “directeurs”. Senior management tends towards a directive, rather than a collaborative style, with the PDG determining overall direction, which is disseminated down the line for implementation by junior management.
The French, by nature, tend to shy away from risk. Privacy and individual accomplishment of one’s tasks are critical in French business culture; workers provide what their bosses expect of them, and plans, methods and reports can be time-consuming, thorough and complicated efforts toward perfection. All of this occurs in a formal and sometimes very rigid hierarchical structure, which means that time, deadlines and efficiency, while important, are secondary to attention to detail, rigorous logic and perfection of form.
Each individual on a French team prefers to have a very specific task; the team is an organization of different individuals with different objectives and roles, all carefully defined. Thus, French bosses are expected to provide guidance and information and
to make decisions, while subordinates provide detailed information and follow the decisions made by the superiors. Traditionally, French companies have followed a somewhat paternalistic or ‘family’ model, with senior managers making key decisions without necessarily communicating relevant information to subordinates. All in all, communicating information may be a challenge in French organizations and this can prove frustrating to a foreigner who is attempting to understand how and why decisions are made.
Most senior managers were educated at the elite schools (or Grandes Ecoles) of France. This may be the case even in so-called American or multinational corporations based in France. Intellectualism is something desired in French managers; one’s ability
to master complex concepts and provide and understand detailed analysis is respected far greater than one’s interpersonal skills and ability to motivate staff and build effective teams. Complimenting and rewarding employees publicly is not common That being said, managers often have strong relationships with their employees, feel responsible for them and will back them in a dispute.
This is just a sample of what you’ll find in the complete French country guide. To learn more about living and working France or any other country in the European Union, check out www.goinglobal.com.
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
Posted on December 27, 2010
Photo attribution to andercismo
Imagine working abroad for the first time, armed with all the information you need to successfully acclimate yourself to the work environment, social scene and overall cultural customs? That is where Goinglobal steps in. Goinglobal is committed to providing you with an arsenal of career information and resources to ease the transition abroad and help you be prepared before you leave. We have career country guides for over 30 countries, written by in-country researchers, that help you as a professional regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expat.
Every week, we will feature an insight from one of our global career guides to help you achieve your dream of working internationally.
Today’s tip: How to interview in Spain
Interviews will vary greatly depending upon the type of companies, their cultures, the interviewer, the type of job, the sector or other aspects. This guide only intends to address the typical behavior or situation one can be facing.
Pre-Interview Preparation
The best way to prepare for a job interview in Spain is to research the company’s website or reference books. Spanish recruiters are impressed with applicants who have knowledge about the company’s chief executives, products and services, competitors and clients. One should also review the job requirements carefully to ensure that all the important issues can be addressed in the interview.
Interview Conduct
For an interview, dress should be formal or classic. Men’s business attire consists of a conservative but well-fitted suit, including a jacket and tie. Women generally wear stylishly tailored dresses or suits. Black or brown shoes for men and heels for women are preferred.
The Interview
Spaniards tend to be very conversational, and there is always casual discussion before entering into business. Personal relationships are very important, both socially and in business, as this helps establish trust.
Post-Interview
After the interview, it is acceptable to follow up with a phone call or an email with the main interviewer. It is advisable to avoid calling the first thing in the morning. This follow up communication will thank the interviewer for his/her time, and offer him/her the opportunity to get further information, including information about references.
This is just a sample of what you’ll find in the complete Spain guide.
Comments:
Posted by: Olga at Going Global
