1. What Are The Working Conditions?
Read the job description and sign a well written contract before accepting any type of employment to understand what is expected of you and your position. Not all countries have strict employment rules, and even if they have, businesses are not necessarily compelled to abide by them. Check the rules of your target country to make sure you and your work are not exploited.
2. How Much Will I Be Paid?
Many young people do not choose to work overseas in order to begin saving big sums of money. Younger workers (not seasoned corporate professionals involved in an internal transfer inside multi-national branches) frequently see this as a minor concern, content to accept a modest income for the opportunity to work in the place of their dreams. But, we advocate budgeting properly before you go in order to make sure you can afford to live reasonably well while you’re abroad. It’s unlikely that you’ll be living like king, but you should be able to provide shelter and food for yourself (and have enough left over for a ticket home, of course).
3. Are Accommodations Included?
Many significant seasonal companies, such as ski resorts, hostels, and amusement parks, provide lodging choices for their staff. Before accepting any deal, do your homework. While employee-sponsored housing is frequently quite affordable, there is often a valid reason for this. Verify the type of lodgings you’ll be staying in, especially whether cooking facilities are available: while this may seem like a minor issue, being unable to cook your own food can have a negative impact on your budget. Take-out dinners and restaurants can be costly (assuming they are accessible where you live). Furthermore, the cost of housing should be deducted from your pay rather being paid in advance. Do thorough research to ensure you know what to expect.
4. Will I Have a Social Life?
Everyone travels for different reasons, so be sure the region you’ll be moving to is appropriate with your current (or desired) lifestyle. You could be the only foreigner at your workplace, live miles from the next shop or bar, or be in the center of a major city with little time to yourself. Each of them could be an ideal circumstance for you, but if you do not choose wisely, your stay will be less enjoyable.
5. What are my Visa Conditions?
Unless you employ an agent or a lawyer, you’ll have to study a lot of fine text before applying for your visa. Some crucial considerations for your visa:
- Can I travel afterwards? Depending on the visa and nation, you’ll most likely have a limited period to travel once your contract is completed, as many work visas require you to leave the country if you leave your job. Yet, opportunities to travel during your working hours are frequently accessible.
- Can I change employers? Certain work visas limit you to a single employment; if you don’t like it, you’ll have to catch the next flight home.
- How long is the visa valid? If you overstay your visa, you will most certainly have a tough time returning. Do not rely on a visa renewal or extension, as it may be permitted in some countries but is not always available.
- What kind of work can I do? The majority of work visas stipulate the jobs you can and cannot undertake. Make sure you are aware of the specifics.
- Do I need to have a confirmed job? Certain visas will be invalid if you do not have a confirmed job and (at the very least) a copy of your contract when you visit the country. It would be a pity to get turned around at the airport before you even get started.
- What type of visa do I need? There are usually a dozen (or more) different types of work visas available. Be sure you understand the distinction and whatever type you have—the terms and rules will differ.
6. Should I Use Employment Agencies?
There are literally thousands of firms promising to find you a dream job in another country for a charge. Several agencies provide a wide range of services and have access to a diverse selection of offers. Agencies can be worthwhile investments, but not all are. If you decide to use an agent, make sure you understand what is available and what you get for your money (some agencies offer little more than a list of links to employment websites or a book with address to contact).
While deciding whether or not to send over money, attempt to contact past travelers or conduct an online search to check what people have said or are saying about such services. ESL Cafe, for example, is a good site with forums where you can find out what people are saying about ESL agencies and foreign staff.
7. Do I Have the Necessary Skills/Experience?
Many seasonal businesses provide on-the-job training and do not normally expect much experience, but any previous similar work will assist you both locate work and boost your chances of success when applying for a visa.
If you’re considering a skilled position, ask yourself honestly whether you have the necessary skills to accomplish your contract. Are your credentials recognized in the country you’ll be visiting? If you’re unsure, do some research before you leave and perhaps gain some work experience at home to give you the edge you need to stand out.
8. Will I Find my Dream Job?
Because to the nature of working and traveling overseas, you are unlikely to stay in one position for long. As a result, businesses are reluctant to invest much in you, which means your training will be little and you will be unlikely to be awarded a position with considerable responsibility or importance inside the firm. That is not to imply that the job will not be enjoyable for a variety of other reasons, ranging from educational to technical to inspirational.
If you want to enhance your career or obtain experience in a specific industry, make sure you contact employers ahead of time to check whether these chances exist and to be realistic about what you can expect.
9. Is Your Job Legal?
This is an extremely important issue if you want to teach English elsewhere! Many places are yearning for talented, international workers, and there will be no shortage of offers, but corporations will not always give the necessary legal documents. Be especially wary of organizations that claim you’ll be “volunteering” and hence won’t require a work visa, even though you’ll be paid. Verify your position and visa rules carefully, because breaking them might land you on the next plane home.
10. Should I Hand Over Money?
An employer should never ask you for money up advance (employment organizations, on the other hand—see above). But, you should still be very careful to either have a position within their firm or acquire your visa, with the visa cost going directly to the embassy or a sponsoring organization. Regardless of what they promise, if an employer wants an upfront charge, you should search elsewhere.
