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 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.