CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OVERSEAS JOB

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OVERSEAS JOB

·         An overseas job brings a notion of better salary and lifestyle

·         However, the realities have undergone a significant change.

A. Why work abroad?

·         A major factor is economic benefit from higher compensation.

·         People also look for a global exposure as a significant addition to their curriculum vitae.

·         This helps in higher bench-marking and upgrading of the individual’s skills.

B. Things to consider

·         Analyse it in terms of growth, career prospects and opportunities.

·         Opting for an overseas job is a change in your professional life.

·         It is also a change in your culture, environment and geography.

·         Be clear what your interests and expectations from yourself are.

·         Decide whether you want to shift with your family, as it could affect your spouse’s career and your children’s education.

·         Consider the hidden costs of an overseas job, like commuting, accommodation, utility and household cost of living, besides taxes, while evaluating the higher offered salary.

C. Do your homework with a checklist

·         Be wary of abnormally high salaries or improper selection criteria.

·         Research your destination’s political and economic conditions and prospects in your sector.

·         Research the company by finding out about its market share, vision, past record of treating employees, and seek direct employment with it.

·         If you have to go through an overseas consultant, check whether he is registered and has the license from the ministry of overseas Indian affairs to recruit for international assignments.

·         Otherwise, choose a registered placement agency.

·         Check with respective embassies about the authenticity and past records of the company.

·         Get in-depth details of contract duration, terms and conditions.

·         Get the job contract in hand before leaving the country.

D. Job opportunities

1. USA– Environmental engineering, biotechnology, healthcare, software, information technology, network system analysis, financial services.

2. Europe (UK, Germany, France) – Legal services, insurance, defence, real estate, banking, healthcare.

3. Middle East (Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Libya) – Oil and gas, energy, construction, real estate, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, general functions in HR, sales and accounts.

4. Africa – Oil and gas, manufacturing, telecom, mining, civil and mechanical engineering, hospitality, CAs and management level professionals.

E. Ground facts of job prospects

1. USA– tough H-1B restrictions, hiring in small numbers for highly qualified professionals for niche and domain specific skills.

2. Europe (UK, Germany, France) – tough point-based immigration system putting a higher weightage to skills and earning potential, for getting a work permit.

3. Middle East (Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Libya) – things have slowed down post-downturn and after the Dubaicrisis.

4. Africa – hiring numbers are less post-downturn, but better prospects than the rest of the world, but some countries are politically disturbed.

Any source