Below you find practical tips when looking for work in another country. But
when you are really serious about working abroad: order one of our guides.
Select a country:
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Job-Hunting in Australia In
a country where class barriers are virtually non-existent, employers
are more interested in whether you are able to do the job, than
to which school or university you went. Fake behaviour and bragging
is not much appreciated in Australia - down-to-earth honesty
and straightforwardness are preferred. Employers are more interested
in 'the right attitude'. Demonstrating what you have done with
your talents is more important than showing what talents you
might possibly posses.
Job-hunting in Austria
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the job interview advances
in the building. Make sure you are dressed formal; women are
advised to wear skirts (not too short!) And men need to wear
a suit for their application interview.
Job-hunting in Belgium
Language plays an important role in this country. Writing your
application letter in French will not gain you any bonus points
by a Flemish company!
Job-Hunting in Canada The application procedure in Canada is more commercial than
in most other Western countries. By consequence both the letter
and the resume (Canadians speak about resumes instead of CVs)
should contain words that express accomplishment and action.
This said, there are some differences within the country itself.
In English-speaking Canada applying for a job is very much like
in the US: You have to sell yourself. But in the French part
of the country it is more formal and a little less direct.
Job-hunting in China
Get a letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor
or employer to positively back-up your capabilities.
Job-hunting in the Czech Republic
The CV is usually chronological, functional CVs - information
structured per item - is relatively new, but companies - especially
foreign companies - like a biography presented in this format).
With regard to your education you should chronologically mention
all qualifications and diplomas obtained. Specify exactly when and where (give the name of the University) you have
studied what (mention the discipline).
Job-hunting in Cyprus Be aware of the importance of personal
contacts. It is the numebr one methode for employers in Cyprus
to recruit people.
Job-hunting in Denmark
Start your application letter not with "Dear Mr/Ms X",
but write at the beginning "for the attention of Mr/Ms
X". You can also put "Reference: personnel manager
of XXX" to ensure your letter lands on the right person's
desk.
Job-hunting in Estonia The most successful way of finding a job in Estonia is through job
advertisements in both national and local newspapers and through Estionian
jobsites.
Job-hunting in Finland
The importance Finns attach to interpersonal relations is reflected
during the interview. Social skills, communication skills and
teamwork abilities are the skills most in demand. Whether or
not you fit into the team is more important than your technical
competencies.
Job-hunting in France
Application letters to French companies should be hand-written
(the only exceptions are to be found in some parts of the IT
sector) as graphology is a wide-used selection method (approx.
80% of French employers use it!). It is mainly used to observe
the candidate's general education. Specific characteristics
might figure as subject of discussion for the further selection
procedure.
Job-hunting in Germany
Your CV should be in strict chronological order (Tabellarischen
Lebenslauf), with a photo (put your details on the back of the
picture) attached with a paper clip to the right above corner.
Sign your CV below on the right, next to the place and date
in the left hand corner.
Job-hunting in Greece
Networking in a foreign country might sound difficult, but in
Greece it will certainly prove its worth and while doing you
will probably realise that it is not as difficult as it seemed;
within a short period of time you will most likely become part
of their "network of recommendations".
Job-hunting in Hungary
Although job advertisements appear in the national and local
press, you can best find a job through personal contacts. Use
any contacts you (or your university) may have. Friends, family,
former professors, anybody you can think of that might be helpful
in getting the necessary contacts established with Hungary.
Because of the importance of personal contacts you might want
to consider an apprenticeship or a period of study in Hungary
in advance before starting your job hunt.
Job-hunting in Iceland
A good entrance to the Icelandic job market is through finding
a stage.
Job-Hunting in India
Making "cold calls" to the organisations where you would like
to work is not uncommon in India. You can call up the company
and ask to be connected to the human resource department where
you can speak to the HR-manager or recruitment manager in-charge.
However, do some research in advance! You never get a second
chance to make a first impression! Please note that Indian CVs
never include place of birth, race or religion.
Job-hunting in Ireland
Ireland and the UK are often mentioned together, however Irish
recruiters focus more on your personal development and pay less
attention to results, competencies and competition as British
recruiters in general do.
Job-hunting in Italy
Ensure you are dressed fashionable for a job interview. Ladies:
make sure you have a handbag that matches your shoes! Gentlemen:
wear a tie according to the latest fashion trends! This is not
because Italians are fashion victims, but for Italians the way
a person is dressed indicates many other things, not in the
least whether or not the person is a serious candidate for the
job.
Job-hunting in Japan
A Japanese resume (rirekisho) consists often of standard forms
that need to be completed, preferably hand-written. Depending
on the job you're applying for, an English resume can be sufficient.
Job-hunting in Latvia
The amount of Internet CV databases and jobsites
is growing tremendously and these have proved to be a successful
means of finding jobs.
Job-hunting in Lithuania The Lithuanian Labour Exchange (www.ldb.lt)
is a state institution which provides free of charge services and information
for everyone active on the Lithuanian labour market. This service provides
all kinds of information on the Lithuanian labour market. This agency
consists of one national and 46 local labour exchanges.
Job-hunting in Luxembourg
Due to the large influx of foreign workers there are no strict
national rules for CVs in Luxembourg.
Job-Hunting in Malta The Employment and Training Corporation may be very helpful
in finding a job and providing you with detailed inside information
on the Maltese labour market. The Maltese government recommends
this agency to job seekers.
Job-hunting in the Netherlands
Speculative applications are common, it's customary to telephone
in advance.
Job-Hunting in New Zealand It
is getting more common in New Zealand to apply for a job through
the Internet. However, you should be aware that an electronic
resume does not look the same as a standard resume. Write an
introduction that contains many keywords. Scanners that are
programmed to select specific words notice these keywords.
Job-hunting in Norway
Your CV should start with your personal details, including name,
address, date of birth (note that the day, the month and the
year are written densely together, without blank spaces or dots
in between), your telephone number (with international access
code) and your civil status.
Job-hunting in Poland
The national newspaper "Gazeta Wyborcza" carries on
Mondays the supplement "Job" with most of the advertisements
in English (approx. 400 vacancies very week).
Job-hunting in Portugal
Mention on your CV whether or not you hold a driving license.
Job-hunting in Romania
Please note that degree relevance is important in Romania, i.e.
economics students become economists and language students become
teachers.
Job-hunting in Russia
Previously, handwritten CVs were common. Nowadays Russian employers expect
typewritten CVs of the highest quality. Foreign candidates are no longer
seen as the 'best option' as many Russians have been educated abroad and
subsequently gained international experience. Expect differences throughout
Russia in job hunting methods but one general theme is obvious; you are
expected to have a very professional appearance both on paper and in reality
if you want to gain a position in this competitive market.
Job-hunting in Singapore
Make sure you know in advance in what currency you will be paid!
Job-hunting in Slovakia Besides newspapers adds, recruitment agencies are a good
way of finding jobs.
Job-hunting in Slovenia Slovenian employers consider a good education obtained in a regular
educational system very important. Computer and language skills are a
clear advantage when looking for a job. Teamwork is also very important
in Slovenia, so good interpersonal and teamwork skills are preferred.
Job-Hunting in South Africa
South African employers think post-school education is very
important. Put stress on relevant courses and education programmes
in your resume and application letter.
Job-hunting in Spain
Avoid raising the question of what you are going to earn in
the first couple of application interviews. Wait until the company
offers the job before you evoke this (not unimportant) issue.
Job-hunting in Sweden
During a public sector job interview usually a trade union representative,
working within the particular organisation, is present to ensure
everything goes according to the rules.
Job-hunting in Switzerland
Speculative applications and networking are usually successful
in Switzerland. If you are applying to an advertisement, telephone
in advance to introduce yourself, to ask some relevant questions
(prepare the questions in advance; you never get a second chance
to make a first impression!) and to show your interest in the
company and the job. Make sure your application arrives the
next day after your phone call to illustrate your punctuality,
a quality highly appreciated by Swiss recruiters.
Job-Hunting in United Arab Emirates
Make sure the job you accept is the job you really want. This
is of course always important, but particularly in the United
Arab Emirates, as there is an UAE law which aims to stop people
from job-hopping. This law enables employers to give you a (minimum)
six months ban from working in the United Arab Emirates if you
resign from a job. If you accept just any job in order to enter
the country you are likely to end up doing that job for a longer
time than initially planned since resigning often means that
you will be banned!
Job-hunting in the United Kingdom
The British are focussed on results, competencies and competition.
This is clearly displayed in the format of the British CV in
which reached goals, achieved results and hobbies hold a prominent
position.
Job-hunting in the United States of America
Instead of a CV write a resume using ‘power words' that
show accomplishment and action. Bear in mind that looking for
a job in the US is much like selling a product. Accordingly
you should present your qualifications, experience and achievements
in a manner that is sharp, focussed, upscale and aggressive.
On this particular subject Expertise in Labour Mobility holds more information,
which is available through our Career
Consult service, our guides
and our courses. In case
you need more information, do not hesitate to contact
us.
Job-hunting in Belgium
Job-hunting in China
Job-hunting in Iceland
Job-hunting in Luxembourg
Job-hunting in Poland
Job-hunting in Portugal
Job-hunting in Romania
