Features: Working abroad

If you’re finding it difficult to break into the UK graduate job market and are willing to leave the country, working abroad could be a viable career option for you

Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR)  Graduate Recruitment Survey 2012 revealed that the UK’s largest employers received 73 CVs for each vacancy advertised. Moving abroad means you could avoid this level of competition for UK jobs, add international experience to your CV and escape the English weather.

Get organised

Uprooting can be hard work and stressful, but starting your preparations early can make a big difference. You should aim to secure accommodation in your chosen country before you leave the UK and your employer may be able to assist with this.

Once you’re in the country, the best way to adapt to the local customs and language is to completely immerse yourself in the new culture. Get out into the town and investigate your local surroundings. Find out more with our country profiles.

You also need to find out how important it is to speak the local language. In countries such as Sweden and Germany, English is widely spoken, but this won’t be the case everywhere. Try to learn key phrases before you leave the UK and ask your employer if they can recommend a language course.

Finding employers

Large companies will sometimes have overseas offices and programmes for those wishing to head abroad. However, it is also worth researching what small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and charities have to offer.

Searching the internet and the websites of professional bodies can help you to identify what opportunities are available and the skills valued by employers. If you have a company in mind, head to its website to find out what’s on offer, visit a careers fair or consider sending a speculative application.

When making the decision to look for work abroad, try and speak to people who are already working in your industry to find out which areas are thriving. Industries that are known for being buoyant internationally include: accounting and consultancy; engineering; oil; and the larger tourism organisations.

Visas and permits

To work in Europe, you will not need a visa if your host country is part of the European Union (EU). Depending on the organisation you work for, your employer will assist with visas and any kind of work permit that you need in order to live and work legally in the country.