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Landing an overseas job
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May 30, 1999: 9:40 a.m. ET
International opportunities are better than ever for those with the right stuff
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - You scoffed at your college buddies when -- in lieu of getting a "real" job -- they signed up to teach English abroad after graduation.
But after years of enduring a less-than-exciting "professional" career, you're starting to think your friends may have been on to something.
The good news is the international job market is hotter than ever, according to many top management recruiters. And professionals with the right stuff should have little trouble finding opportunities, if they know where to look.
"The demand is there. The number of people doing it is certainly going up. It's all part of a slowly emerging global mentality," said Clay Hubbs, editor and publisher of Transitions Abroad, a bimonthly guide to international job opportunities. "But people shouldn't think they can step into a professional (international) career without any preparation. Requirements apply."
The right stuff
These requirements may not always be the obvious ones.
While language skills are certainly a top priority for businesses and recruiters seeking prospective overseas employees, flexibility and an ability to assimilate easily in new environments is also important.
"There needs to be a willingness to challenge yourself in terms of your values… you need to be able to integrate other ethos into your way of thinking," said Suzanne Boisvert Levasseur, an executive vice president at the search firm Right Management Consultants.
In fact, says Levasseur, language is meaningless if that adaptibility is missing. That is not to say, however, that linguistics don't matter, especially since mastery of a second or third language often represents an interest and willingness to learn about a new culture.
Americans have an added advantage because English has evolved as the international business tongue of choice, which makes language skills slightly less important if other abilities are present.
Ultimately, "it's the skill set that creates the opportunity," said Chris Van Someren, a managing director at executive search firm Korn/Ferry International. Strong qualifications domestically will serve as the base for a similar job overseas.
Where the jobs are
Although recruiters contend that job opportunities are rampant across the globe, certain fields and particular regions offer better possibilities than others.
Sectors such as technology, industry, financial services and marketing have all seen a rising demand for U.S. workers. Overseas companies are increasingly embracing U.S. business and marketing practices, making positions in these areas more widely available.
In addition, as U.S. companies become more multinational and expand into new countries, employees are often needed to head up new divisions. In the industrial sector, for example, workers at all levels have been tapped to help in the training and transfer of certain skills to indigenous populations overseas.
In Europe, opportunities in the financial sector have been driven by the successful introduction of the euro, increased merger and acquisition activity and the volatile financial markets. And deregulation and competition of utilities has led to a greater demand for senior executives to spearhead change, according to a Korn/Ferry International study.
In less developed regions, such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, the transition to a market economy has increased the demand for U.S. employees.
While the economic turmoil of the past two years has bogged down these regions somewhat, the lull is not expected to last. And in terms of job opportunities, the areas continue to explode, according to Levasseur.
"There has been a slowdown politically and economically, so people are being sent on more short term assignments. But I think that's going to change radically in the next year or so. The U.S. multinationals are in it for the long haul," Levassuer said of Latin America.
Assessing the pros…
The advantages to living abroad are wide-ranging, but the perk cited most often by both recruiters and ex-pats is the steep learning curve.
"The learning is just incredible in terms of getting different perspectives and understanding how people do things differently," said Levasseur, who herself spent more than 20 years living and working abroad. "It really broadens your foundation."
The economic benefits can also be great, depending where your work takes you. Many corporations pick up the costs of housing and your children's education, as well as provide a generous cost-of-living allowance.
Global experience can also be an important step on the corporate ladder. Whereas the isolation of an overseas assignment may have once hindered advancement, being cut off from headquarters is now rarely considered a liability.
In fact, "from a longer term career management perspective, international experience is seen as a huge asset," said Van Someren. "At more senior levels, we are seeing the edge going more and more to the person who has spent significant time abroad. It's definitely a way of advancing one's own career objectives."
…And the cons
On the flip side, people working abroad sometimes find it difficult when they seek employment back in the States.
"When the moment comes to return, there may be no ready opportunity -- no job at the right level that represents movement or growth," said Van Someren. "You can get stuck, even though that is not the intent of the company."
Other overseas employees may find it difficult to overcome the loneliness and isolation that often accompanies international work.
While those who transfer abroad with spouses and children tend to settle in more easily, a major disadvantage can be the difficult adjustment period, as your children get bounced from school to school and spouses have a hard time finding work.
In addition, quality of life, including housing or food, may not meet the standards you are accustomed to.
"With all the perks, there are also a few sticking points. You just have to learn to live with it," said Levasseur.
Getting started
A little research can go a long way when it comes to landing an overseas job.
When evaluating potential assignments, talk to as many people as possible who have worked in a similar situation. Ask them about the pros and cons and what they might have done differently.
You'll also want to assess how your skill set fits in with the countries you're interested in.
"Take a good look at yourself and see what you can offer the marketplace. Analyze the region and see how you relate to what's up and coming there," said Jeff Wood, director of career development at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Resources
One of the best places to start your global job hunt is at your own company. Find out if there are jobs available overseas and express your interest in them.
If transferring within your own firm is not a possibility, you may want to consult with one of the major executive search firms: Spencer Stuart & Associates, Heidrick & Struggles Russell Reynolds Associates and Korn/Ferry International.
American Chambers of Commerce in the cities you are interested in may also be able to offer some guidance on what companies are present and what jobs might be available.
In addition, scan local newspapers for job listings. Britain's Financial Times, for example, has extensive listings of European jobs. And Transitions Abroad magazine publishes international job listings every other month.
Finally, don't forget the Web.
Monsterboard.com and Internationaljobs.org offer comprehensive overseas listings and staffing firms, such as the People Bank, Korn/Ferry International and Right Management Consultants, also provide information online. 
-- by staff writer Nicole Jacoby
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