Published in The Hindustan Times 100 Great Careers 2010, April 2010

If you are thinking about working abroad sometime in the future, it’s a good idea to start getting a better sense of what that means. So what are some of the key differences?

The Job Search Process

The job search process itself maybe very different. So for example the way resumes are written in the US are different to how they are written in India or in the UK. A resume in the US needs to reflect what you did and what results you drove – it’s not just a list of activities or a description of your job function. Similarly interviews are also conducted differently.

Searching for a job abroad should not be restricted to just campus placements. At universities abroad you will have access to alumni at companies that do not come onto campus. Further, you may have companies coming to your class or through clubs and other activities that you can connect with that also do not recruit on campus. You may have faculty that are doing work with companies that do not come to campus and talking to them can help you to figure out how to effectively network your way into that company. You will need to learn how to create a networking strategy, how to network effectively and open up new networks and how to conduct an effective informational interview.

Visas

The visa process can be very different from country to country. For example in

U.S.A.:

• As a student on an F-1 visa in the United States, you can work on-campus for, 20 hours a week. Off-campus jobs are only allowed if it helps you earn professional skills in your field of study.
• Once you graduate, you have 1 year of Optional Practical Training, which enables you to work without applying for an H1-B visa. This is helpful if you are still looking for a job after you graduate – essentially you have a 12 month window to find a job. You can also start working immediately while you employer files for your H1-B.
• Don’t assume that all companies are willing to sponsor your H1-B visa. Many companies have very specific policies around this and it makes sense to make sure you understand whether this is a firm policy or if it is flexible. If it is a firm policy, then no matter how much they like you they will not be in a position to offer you a job. Some companies will not sponsor your initial H1-B visa, but are willing to hire someone who already has an H1-B visa – which they will then get transferred over to their company.

Canada:

• You can work both on and off campus as a student. To work off campus, you need to apply for a work permit under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program. To qualify, you must be a full-time student enrolled at a participating publicly funded post-secondary educational institution or in an approved program at an eligible privately funded institution. Once you get your work permit, you can work for upto 20 hours a week off campus during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks.
• The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. A work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program cannot be valid for longer than the student’s study program. For example, if you graduate from a four-year degree program, you could be eligible for a three-year work permit if you meet the criteria.
• If you are a foreign graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada then you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency in Canada. You need to make sure you meet the skilled work experience criteria, meet the language requirements and plan to live outside Quebec. You should also ensure you apply while working in Canada – or – within one year of leaving your job in Canada

UK.:

• You can work for either 10 or 20 hours a week during term time, depending on the type of program you are enrolled in. If you are pursuing a degree course you can also engage in work placements – if not then check the rules to see if you are eligible.
• You can apply for a 2 year post study visa, which will give you the ability to work without having a sponsor. After that, you will need to switch into a different visa category to continue to work in the U.K.
• Due to the recession, the UK has been changing its visa rules and so it is important they you stay updated on all the changes to see how they affect you.

Europe:

• Whether students can work while they study changes from country to country. In Denmark students from outside the EU/EEA can apply for a work permit as part of their residence permit, which entitles them to work for up to 15 hours a week during the semester, and full time during the summer holiday, i.e. June, July and August. In Germany, students who are not citizens of the European Union can only work for a limited period per year. They are allowed to work for 90 days or 180 half-days every year without a work permit, however. In many Federal States, you can only work in the summer vacation. In France and Spain foreign students are allowed to work part-time. In Holland you can either engage in full time)seasonal work in the months of June, July and August or in part-time work throughout the year, but for no more than 10 hours a week.
• Unless you have an EU passport, it can be tough to stay and work after graduation – or even work while your study. Every country has a different immigration system, so check first if that’s important to you

Another area to check on, is whether your spouse is eligible to work while you are studying. In the US, it is not allowed – unless of course they find a job that is willing to sponsor them for an H1-B visa. While in the UK this is an option as long as your student visa is for over 12 months.

Living and working in a foreign country

Some people find it easy to transition from being a student in a foreign country to working in a foreign country, while others do not. So what are the issues that people face in the transition?

• At university, you have a lot of resources that are easily accessible right on campus such as accommodation, cafeterias, friends, advisors. When you start working you will need to recreate all these ‘resources’ this for yourself  - and that can take a little time to do so.
• Universities have a number of orientation programs and activities which are all focussed on helping you to network, meet people and make friends. When you start working, you will need to make more of an effort to meet people and make friends on your own, particularly if you have moved to a different city to work.
• The environment and culture at university will be different to that at work. So it is important to figure out what the culture is at your work place – make sure you spend time understanding this for your specific firm as even within the same city and same industry the cultures at different companies can be quite different.