International Jobs FAQ

Check out GoinGlobal's April 2007 e-Newsletter College Edition for more information on topics all about international jobs.

What skills do I need to work abroad?
It depends on what country you want to work in and what type of work you want to do. If you want to work in a country with a country-based organization, full proficiency in the country’s language is a must.  However, if you are working for an American firm abroad or for the American government, language skills are still important, but you will often be communicating in English.  For many opportunities teaching English abroad, you do not need proficiency in the country's language.  Other skills such as interpersonal, cross-cultural and industry-specific skills are key to landing an overseas opportunity.

How hard is it to find a job overseas?
It’s hard, but not impossible. It’s especially hard if you are trying to find a job overseas while you are in the US.  For employers, it’s challenging to conduct an international job search because of the cost, logistics of interviewing and the difficult task of securing the appropriate work authorization.  For the most common overseas paths, see the question about entry-level jobs below.

However, if you are already in a country that you would like to work in, you are several steps ahead in the overseas job search.  Meeting people in the country, networking with potential employers, learning the language, taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves and volunteering is much easier if you are in the country.  This means that you may have to pick up and move to the country of your dreams to land a job offer.

How can I learn about the country in which I want to work?
Researching the country you are interested in is important as you conduct an international job search.  Goinglobal Career Reference has profiles of 23 nations, access to job/internship listings, as well as information on employment trends, cultural issues, and work visas.  In addition, the CIA World Fact Book  provides information about the economy, government, and geography of every country in the world.  

How do I get a work visa?
The requirements for work permits/visa vary by country and length of stay.  Contact the embassy or consulate of each country to learn about the specific requirements for the country you wish to work in.  There is a comprehensive list of embassies on the State Department's web site.

Can I use my US résumé as I apply for jobs abroad?
Maybe, however, just as the United States has a somewhat standard format for résumés, other countries also have rules and common formats for application materials.  The Career Education Center’s Career Library has several books with sample résumés from a variety of countries.  The Goinglobal Career Reference also has information about specific application materials for each country it profiles.  Organizations that often hire US citizens may accept US-style résumés, but it’s best to check with the organization before applying.

Does Georgetown have alumni contacts in other countries?
Yes.  The Alumni Career Network is a database with over 18,000 Georgetown alumni worldwide who have volunteered to provide career advice and information to students and fellow alumni.  You can search the database by country to get a list of alumni currently living in the country you are interested in.  Plus, there are 29 international alumni clubs listed on Hoyas Online.

What entry-level international jobs are available for recent graduates?
In most industries, organizations do not hire entry-level candidates to work abroad.  According to an alum working at USAID, it costs approximately $300,000 per year per employee to keep a person in a country abroad.  This is an investment that organizations are unwilling to make in a recent graduate.  Alumni panelists that sat on a recent International Development Career Panel agreed that during an employee’s first few years the organization wants to “keep tabs” on the employee before sending her abroad with little supervision.
However, there are other ways to work abroad.  Look for organizations that have international offices and contact their domestic recruiting office (see:  How can I get a job with a US-based firm in an overseas office? below).

The Peace Corps offers one of the most popular ways for graduates to work abroad.  During the 2004-2005 year, 46 Georgetown students were offered a Peace Corps assignment.  Teaching abroad as part of an international teaching program is another option for new graduates.  

If you are adventurous and living abroad is more important to you than the work that you do, there are many short-term international experiences working in the service industry in restaurants, hotels, pubs and shops.  British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) and Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) Work Abroad Programs are the two most popular options for this type of work-abroad experience. 

Can I work in an embassy overseas?
Full-time positions with US Embassies around the world are offered through the Foreign Service Officer track or the Foreign Service Specialist track.  

How can I get a job with a US-based firm in an overseas office?
Overseas positions are very competitive and often require you to work for several years with the firm’s US location before being sent abroad.  For a list of American firms operating in other countries, the Career Center has the Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, which you can search by industry, country or specific firm.  
The US Chamber of Commerce also has a useful directory that you can search to find country or region-specific chambers. 

A comprehensive list of international job and internship search resources is available here.