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