How to find a job internationally?

[KallDrexx]

Now that my boss has quit, and everything at my company is going downhill exponentially more every day, I am out looking for a job again.  However, I am bored of Orlando and am thinking of applying elsewhere, and what what better type of elsewhere then in another country.  I've worked in Australia and wouldn't mind going back (since my Mom lives there now) but I also wouldn't mind going to other places either.

I am looking for either a full programming job or a QA engineering job (where programming is a part of the job).

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to find and apply for jobs in another country?

[IainC]

Now that my boss has quit, and everything at my company is going downhill exponentially more every day, I am out looking for a job again.  However, I am bored of Orlando and am thinking of applying elsewhere, and what what better type of elsewhere then in another country.  I've worked in Australia and wouldn't mind going back (since my Mom lives there now) but I also wouldn't mind going to other places either.

I am looking for either a full programming job or a QA engineering job (where programming is a part of the job).

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to find and apply for jobs in another country?

Agencies. Find international agencies specialising in the field you want to work in and spam them with your CV.

[Signe]

Get an agent.  Righ had really great agents, both in the UK and in the US.  They kept him rolling in $$ for years.  Unfortunately, neither of them do that any more.  If the contract climate is good in the UK when we move back, I'm sure that's what he'll be after again.  Contracts and consultancy is great for wallets and taxes.

[Oban]

What countries would you be willing to work in and what languages do you know?

[KallDrexx]

What countries would you be willing to work in and what languages do you know?

I'm not picky about the location as long as it is civilized (I.e. Random African countries are probably out).  Unfortunately, the only language I know is english. 

[Sheepherder]

When someone from Canada asks you what languages you speak, it generally means one of two things:

1. There are positions open in Quebec, and the correct answer is "French".
2. There are positions open in Newfoundland, and the correct answer is "N/A".

[Signe]

Aren't people from Newfoundland secretly Irish?

[IainC]

What countries would you be willing to work in and what languages do you know?

I'm not picky about the location as long as it is civilized (I.e. Random African countries are probably out).  Unfortunately, the only language I know is english. 

If you work in tech then language needn't be a barrier if you want to work in Continental Europe. Many companies in France and Germany at least use English as the default office language due to the wide variety of nationalities they tend to employ.

[Oban]

Aren't people from Newfoundland secretly Irish?

English.

[Signe]

Yes, maybe English but SECRETLY Irish.  Right?  So shh.

[Oban]

That's kind of offensive.  Why would anyone who is Irish or Scottish want to be English?

As for jobs overseas, if you are willing to work in the Defense industry: 

http://www.jobs.thalesgroup.com/pid39/e-staffing-com.html 

http://www.finmeccanica.com/Holding/EN/Corporate/Persone/Invia_Candidatura/index.sdo

http://www.eads.com/1024/en/career/jobmarket/jobmarket_search/Search_for_Jobs.html

[Signe]

I only know two people from Newfoundland and they both sound Irish to me.  Since they it was their first time overseas, I reckoned that's what a Newfoundland accent sounds like. 

[Sheepherder]

I only know two people from Newfoundland and they both sound Irish to me.  Since they it was their first time overseas, I reckoned that's what a Newfoundland accent sounds like.

Newfoundland has the privilege of being the place where French, English, Scottish, and Irish convicts, rebels, and prisoners of war have commingled to create a society of longshoremen.  The result is not unlike the Cajun guy out of The Waterboy at times.

Sort of back on topic: I'd imagine an English speaker could probably get a job in India.

[Oban]

Sort of back on topic: I'd imagine an English speaker could probably get a job in India.

I was thinking about bringing this up as well, but then I remembered that Indian pay scales are dramatically lower than what someone from the US would be willing to accept.

[KallDrexx]

Thanks for the links Oban, I'll check those out.

[Bunk]

When someone from Canada asks you what languages you speak, it generally means one of two things:

1. There are positions open in Quebec, and the correct answer is "French".
2. There are positions open in Newfoundland, and the correct answer is "N/A".

Not neccessarily true. In Vancouver, knowing Hindi or Mandarin are a major asset.

[Oban]

Vancouver is part of Canada?

[NiX]

Same applies to Toronto. Knowing Mandarin/Hindi is an asset when getting into smaller-mid size companies. Larger ones will pay you extra for speaking French-Canadian.

[Oban]

Same applies to Toronto. Knowing Mandarin/Hindi is an asset when getting into smaller-mid size companies. Larger ones will pay you extra for speaking French-Canadian.

In Toronto it is Cantonese and Hindi from what I have seen.  It always amuses me when Mandarin speaking immigrants here have to learn Cantonese in order to find a job from yorkbbs, 51.ca or at the major shopping centers.  Go go cultural mosaic.

Back on topic again, if you have family overseas they can be useful acting as a temporary crash pad since a lot of employers will be more likely to hire you if you are in country to interview.

[Raging Turtle]

You could go get a masters in International Relations.  At least that's what I want to do.

Still looking into how much it would translate into an actual job

[Broughden]

You could go get a masters in International Relations.  At least that's what I want to do.

Still looking into how much it would translate into an actual job

Are your sole career goals to be a high school civics or social studies teacher? Or use it as a launch pad to law school?
Then not a whole lot.
Even analyst positions at most agencies are going to want a specific regional study + language (ie learn Spanish + masters in Latin American Studies), at least that was my experience when working in DC.

[NiX]

In Toronto it is Cantonese and Hindi from what I have seen.  It always amuses me when Mandarin speaking immigrants here have to learn Cantonese in order to find a job from yorkbbs, 51.ca or at the major shopping centers.  Go go cultural mosaic.

Back on topic again, if you have family overseas they can be useful acting as a temporary crash pad since a lot of employers will be more likely to hire you if you are in country to interview.

I always mix the two up.

But, yeah, back on topic. I have a hard enough time trying to find a job across the country, I can't imagine it's any easier applying to a company in a different country or on a different continent.

[stray]

You could go get a masters in International Relations.  At least that's what I want to do.

Still looking into how much it would translate into an actual job

A good friend of mine is doing that, but she's getting cynical. I guess you could branch off into sociological studies, racking up more useless data for international agencies that don't actually help, or be even more cynical than that, and graduate into international law (and be a lawyer).


I guess I can count myself fortunate for having family and friends in Asia, and could find work possibly, but I haven't made use of it (but the offers have been there). I think that's the first step though.. Simple networking.

[edit] UGH! I sound like an ass though. You shouldn't be cynical. ;)

Not to get all Tony Robbins and shit, but I've been trying to not be that way lately. Even better than "simple networking" is simply sticking to your fucking guns! We get what we want and where we want by shooting for it.

[Raging Turtle]

Are your sole career goals to be a high school civics or social studies teacher? Or use it as a launch pad to law school?
Then not a whole lot.
Even analyst positions at most agencies are going to want a specific regional study + language (ie learn Spanish + masters in Latin American Studies), at least that was my experience when working in DC.

I already know Spanish fairly well, and I'm planning on starting Russian soon (which I've been saying for awhile...).  If I can get into a top IR school somewhere in or around D.C., I think I'd do more than ok. 

What I really want to do is work for the FBI.  Yeah, I know, hypercompetitive to get a job there, but this would both improve my resume for that and put me in a better position for something else I'd enjoy if/when they turn me down.  I don't want to teach English anymore and starting as a tech writer or low level editor somewhere doesn't much appeal to me.

[stray]

Curious path you're taking.. Why not a more internationally-bent agency then? I'm only curious, because I see all of that applying to something to do with the CIA or NSA, not the FBI. FBI are superjock/law degree carrying domestic criminal profilers. Then again, your skills could apply to Mexican/Russian mob too.

Pretty intense though, dude. Good luck.. I used to want to be FBI when I was much younger. I couldn't because my record sucks!

[Broughden]

Are your sole career goals to be a high school civics or social studies teacher? Or use it as a launch pad to law school?
Then not a whole lot.
Even analyst positions at most agencies are going to want a specific regional study + language (ie learn Spanish + masters in Latin American Studies), at least that was my experience when working in DC.

I already know Spanish fairly well, and I'm planning on starting Russian soon (which I've been saying for awhile...).  If I can get into a top IR school somewhere in or around D.C., I think I'd do more than ok. 

What I really want to do is work for the FBI.  Yeah, I know, hypercompetitive to get a job there, but this would both improve my resume for that and put me in a better position for something else I'd enjoy if/when they turn me down.  I don't want to teach English anymore and starting as a tech writer or low level editor somewhere doesn't much appeal to me.

Ooh that I can say would work then!
Especially if you add Russian to the mix. Yes FBI is super competitive, but having extra languages is a HUGE boost.

As for DC area schools, I would strongly suggest George Washington University. Has a stellar reputation (or at least had one back in the 90's) with the insiders in DC, but no where near as expensive as George Town.
With both Spanish and Russian under your belt there are some other agencies I would look at as well. State being one of the top. But you could look at DIA as well.

[bhodi]

What I really want to do is work for the FBI.

I hope you haven't smoked pot in 15 years and can pass a poly to that effect. They, out of all the agencies, have the most stringent and ridiculous anti-drug requirements. I believe they have very specific "Number of times must be less than 3" type rules.

[Raging Turtle]

It's actually slightly less strict than it used to be, but still pretty strict, yeah.  Currently, you're barred if:

Have used any illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991), other than marijuana, within the past ten years, or engaged in more than minimal experimentation in their lifetime. In making the determination about an applicant’s suitability for FBI employment, all relevant facts, including the frequency of use, will be evaluated.

Have used marijuana/cannabis within the past three years, or have extensively used marijuana/cannabis or over a substantial period of time. In making the determination about an applicant’s suitability for FBI employment, all relevant facts, including the recency and frequency of use, will be evaluated.

I wouldn't be surprised if they relax further that in the next five or so years, either.  Either way it won't be a problem for me.

Back to the OP, if you can't find a programming job abroad, you could probably get a job teaching IT and computer/business English skills in Poland or India or any number of second world countries.

[Tale]

I've worked in Australia and wouldn't mind going back (since my Mom lives there now) but I also wouldn't mind going to other places either.

Good source of Aussie IT/web jobs lately: http://whirlpool.net.au/jobs/

The newspaper with the best IT section, which carries all the IT job ads in print, is The Australian. Their jobs website is: http://www.careerone.com.au/

By far the biggest job ads site in general is http://www.seek.com.au

There is a big industry of professional recruiters finding people for IT jobs too. Take your cue from the contacts in ads, and send them your resume.

Disclaimer: I'm editor of a TV network's websites, just a journalist with web knowledge.

[IainC]

What's your experience of Australian recruiters and World of Warcraft players Tale?

[Murgos]

Thanks to this thread I just applied to a position in Valencia, Spain.

Damn, that would be an awesome place to live.

[Oban]

Thanks to this thread I just applied to a position in Valencia, Spain.

Damn, that would be an awesome place to live.

If the position is with Finmeccanica, I may  be able to poke the right people.

[IainC]

Valencia is awesome.  The humidity will kill you dead though.

[Tale]

What's your experience of Australian recruiters and World of Warcraft players Tale?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYETrg4IVo

[Zetor]

Back to the OP, if you can't find a programming job abroad, you could probably get a job teaching IT and computer/business English skills in Poland or India or any number of second world countries.

Just a note from someone who currently works in a 2nd world country (Hungary):

If you go that route, don't expect to make much money... at all. I'm a CISA with a master's degree in CS from a prestigious university, my current position is senior R&D engineer for an IT security firm -- I'm making about $1000 per month after taxes, and this is considered a very good salary around here. The cost of living isn't much lower to compensate (food/lodging is cheaper, tech stuff costs about the same, gas is more expensive) either. It's not unheard of for highly-qualified Hungarians (who speak at least 1-2 languages fluently) to flee to the West as soon as they get out of university / have enough work experience. :p