Information technology : Opportunities abroad

What are my chances of getting a job overseas?

The IT industry is very multinational; investment in IT has grown and many large companies, such as IBM, have offices all over the world.

Europe and North America can still be classed as the countries that are leading technological development. However, the increasing trend for businesses to move jobs offshore has resulted in a growing number of opportunities becoming available in developing countries, particularly India and China.

More recently, Brazil has become a country keen to join the list of countries engaging in offshore activities. Brazil has more than 4,000 homegrown IT companies and is the 12th largest producer of software and services. A number of major IT companies including Accenture, HP and British Telecom already have operations in Brazil. 

Will my qualifications be recognised?

For graduates interested in working abroad it is advisable to first gain experience with a UK company that has links abroad. Language ability may also be beneficial particularly for roles involving client contact. Many European employers expect recruits to have a relevant degree and the same software knowledge as would be required in the UK.

To find detailed information about visa requirements, the job market, application procedures, language requirements worldwide, see country profiles. Each country profile also contains a comprehensive list of links to help you in your job search.

Where are the opportunities?

These are ten of the most popular graduate recruiters in the IT and communications sector, all of which have a global presence:

• Microsoft;
• Apple;
• IBM;
• Intel;
• Dell;
• BT;
• Cisco;
• Accenture;
• O2/Telefonica;
• Hewlett Packard.