JOBTALKS Getting a Job Overseas Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D

JOBTALKSJOBTALKS

Getting a JobOverseas

Indiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D

The Scene

The Scene:Somewhere outside the prosperity of

the U.S. The Situation: The world is in chaos. Profits are down. Workers on strike. Company can't make payroll. Banks will soon take over.The Solution:

American entrepreneur to save the company; complete with white horse

and shining armor.The Outcome:

The American applies years of exceptional

business education and returns prosperity to this corner of the world once again.

Maybe that's your image of a job overseas,but the rest of the world has a slightly differentoutlook. YOU'RE NOT ALWAYS WELCOME!

Use the techniques from this session;chances are you will be at the airport,tearfully saying good-bye as you embarkon your international adventure.

But Not Impossible

Very Difficult to get an international job,

but not impossible

Title Slide

Getting a Job Overseas

The breathtaking majesty of the pyramids.

The splendor of the Taj Mahal.The romantic nights of Paris...

Fascinating to a number of peoplewho want to start or continue theircareers with an international assignment.

Everyone wants to go overseas!

Only 20% of graduates with internationally oriented degrees work outside the U.S.

20

Facts

Everybody wants to go overseasNot that many companies lookingNobody is rushing to our shores to export our graduates

It Boils Down to This... You need to have something to offer

Need to be prepared to work your tail off

Supply Over Demand

Quiz

Answer each question by rating yourself from zero to five

Circle the number that best represents your current level of knowledge, skill, attitude, experience or behavior.

Over 200 = well on your way to finding an international assignment

150 to 199 = concentrate your efforts on areas where you scored between 0 and 3

Below 150 = hopefully this isn't your last semester

You need an organized approach to shore up your weaknesses

Scores:

Obstacles

Quiz should have highlighted several obstacles

These can be overcome with effort

The following are the biggest hurdles:

Work VisasLanguageCultureLocal HiringJob Hunting StyleWorking Below Your LevelDealing with Spouse's Employment

Countries don't want foreign citizens taking away jobs

Jobs for foreign workers are at the high and low ends of employment spectrum:

Doctors Scientists Other professionals or Waiters Cleaning services

Obstacle/Work Visa

Best way to get a work permit is to get a job

Best way to get a job is to have a work permit

Catch-22

Obstacle/Work Visa = catch-22

Exception: Have a valuable skill

Parlez vousFrancais?

Obstacle/Language

English is the most popular used in international business transactions, but not the only one used in day-to-day business

Not knowing language makes working in most foreign businesses impossible.

Getting assignment in English-speaking countries is doubly tough

Language of college courses may not "cut it” with native speakers

Obstacle/Culture

Adapting is tough!

Treated differently in recruitingSome countries do not regard women highlySome have strong anti-American biasWays of doing business may be totally different

Obstacle/Local Hiring

Would you like corporate headquarters sending you, the manager, people from overseas?

Few people are hired without being in the country already

Obstacle/Hunting Style

Style that works here would never work elsewhere

Ask you international classmates:

How does employment system differ?

Obstacle/Hunting Style

For example:

Our version of the resume may differMany want info such as religion, political party and ageSome countries want curriculum vitaeSome countries want the cover letter handwrittenIn many countries, graduates start job hunting after graduationPositions aren't available until fall because of extended

summer holidaysIn some countries, have to have strong connections

Obstacle/Working Below Your Level

Only jobs are waiting tables or tending bar

Entry-level positions not available for non-locals

Requires patience

Obstacle/Spouse Employment

Expect problems if you are a dual-career couple

If highly skilled and in demand (doctors or nurses), it makes it easier

Advantages

Your background and skills are pluses

Look for companies where your background will pay dividends and it fills a need

Advantages

You may have skills needed by a company wanting to do business in America:

Understanding of American cultureUnderstanding of American business patternsUnderstanding of a specific industryUnderstanding of a specific regionSpeak dialects

Advantages

Companies likely to be most interested in Americans are:

Those that are trading with (or would like to be trading with) AmericaImport/Export companiesCompanies with subsidiaries or headquarters in the U.S.Companies with American customers Those that communicate with U.S. to a great extent

Start in a position teaching EnglishAmerican English is in demandSometime you don't need to know the native tongueIt is a way to make connectionsYou have chance to learn local culture and language

Tactics for Getting Your Foot in the Door

U.S. Foreign ServiceCIAPeace Corps

Chances are better after spending time in country.

Tactics

Find a position with the government that will take you overseas:

Tactics

Work for a multi-national company in this country

Gain experienceConvince employer to transfer you Takes longer but usually have chance at a better position

Find a globalized position with multi-national company

Find position dealing with international currency exchanges

10% of all jobs in Manhattan are provided by foreign companies.

Tactics

There are opportunities in this country that are international in natureExample:

Contact International Centerto find citizens of your targeted country Ask for advice on job searching Ask about companies there

Contact appropriate departmentin the university

Check alumni office for grads living there Contact country's consulate or foreign trade

office Find companies with subsidiaries in that

country Find social and cultural organizations

Tactics/Networking

Tactics/Networking

Look for companies that can use your background

Look at "International Business" magazine's International 100

Then check companies in the library

Tactics/Visit County

Makes it easier to make contacts

Expensive, but there are breaks on lodging

with youth organizations

Take your list of contacts with you

Tactics/Someone on Other End

Greater success if someone on other end:Former classmateFriend of a friendCan help you find your way aroundIdentify appropriate people to contactSend you local papers when you return

You may be allowed to obtain ashort-term work permit that will allow you to get your foot in the door.

Tactics/Short-Term Work Permit

Council for International Educational Exchange

3-month permits for some countries

Contact local consulate for more info

International Student OfficePut you in contact with faculty and studentsLibraryInternational publications and newslettersNetwork of contacts

Organizations

Resources Available

Library

(Some of the more common periodicals:)

The International Directory of Corporate AffiliationsThe Directory of MultinationalsThe Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S.International Directories in PrintMoody's International ManualThe International Corporate 1000

Resources Available

Government (such as:)

Local Industrial Development BoardThe International Chamber of CommerceThe State Commission for Economic DevelopmentThe Chamber of Commerce in Seaport CitiesThe World Trade CentersThe Department of Commerce

Contact as many groups as possible!

Resources Available

Does this sound like your Father?:"Nobody ever said it would be easy."

Pretty close to the truth. Tough job hunting in the U.S.Trying to find a job in a foreign country is even tougher.

Need to know how to workyour way through the system.

Apply the techniques learned hereand you will have a better chance..

Conclusion

If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.