Finding a job abroad after college involves more than just booking a plane ticket to your dream destination and setting sail. Your to-do list will include researching international markets, applying to jobs, drafting a worldly resume, nailing your interview, and figuring out the logistics required for a successful move.
Fortunately, the global job market continues to expand across borders in areas such as technology, marketing, sales, and education, and there are more resources to help you get a job overseas upon graduation than ever before. Use the following resources to take your best shot at working abroad after college.
Before you send your first resume, you’ll need to consider what kind of job you’re looking to land. Are you planning on relocating for a few months or a few years? Do you want to travel regularly or stay in one location for an extended period?
Some recent graduates want to jump into their field of study, while others want to work abroad for the sake of seeing the world. Whatever your goal is, you have options to make your dream a reality.
Short-term and seasonal jobs abroad are your ticket to get out of your home country for a spell before landing a job in your chosen industry.
Popular short-term jobs abroad include:
Au pairs provide childcare and help with housework in exchange for housing or a small stipend. Au pairs are typically matched with a well-to-do family that needs a live-in babysitter. Your job duties may include babysitting, taking children on short trips, and some cooking and cleaning.
You may even get weekends off to explore the country! Explore these job boards to find work as an au pair:
You can easily find work in Asia or South America teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). You can also work online from anywhere in the world with teaching programs like VIPKid and QKids.
For most TEFL jobs, you’ll need to become certified. Your schedule, pay, and housing will depend on the program with which you work. Be sure to research each program carefully to find out how much commission is taken from your paycheck.
Link up with these employers to find work teaching English as a second language:
Learn more about how to teach abroad. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grant to citizens or nationals of the U.S. who are graduating seniors, recent bachelor's-degree recipients, master's candidates, doctoral candidates, or young professionals. You don't need to be certified for this opportunity, but you do need to meet these eligibility requirements.
Some of the most beautiful parts of the world naturally have large tourist industries. You can find work in the tourism industry cleaning, cooking, or working in customer service at resorts, hotels, and lodges.
Jobs often require 40 hours per week. Duties range from cleaning rooms to night auditing to driving. These types of jobs typically don’t require special skills.
Check out these job boards for seasonal and short-term work abroad in the tourism industry:
It’s not impossible to find a long-term job in your chosen field abroad, but it may require more time and effort. Use the tips and resources below to increase your chances of finding long-term work in your desired field.
Because you’ll be looking for jobs in a global industry, you have the luxury of choosing from among your favorite locations.
Once you decide where you’d like to live, start learning the language. Take a class or use a language learning tool like Duolingo. Having some knowledge of the language will give you competitive-edge and a marketable skill.
See tips for traveling when you aren’t fluent in the language of your destination.
No matter where you’re applying for a job, it’s always important to be familiar with the company before sending out a resume.
Look for large companies in your field that are based out of your desired location. Find them on LinkedIn and follow them. Review their ratings on Glassdoor. Reach out to current or past employees for informational interviews to help you make some connections before you arrive.
Yes, the high life would have you jet-setting around the globe making a million dollars a year. But as a recent college graduate—and a foreign one at that—it’s important that you set realistic expectations.
By seeking entry-level employment, you’ll have the opportunity to gain foundational experience in your field and work your way up the ladder.
Companies like Deloitte, UBS, and Edelman have international hubs all over the world. Within a few years, you could apply for these company’s exchange programs and find yourself in a new location.
Use the following resources to search for jobs and learn more from the expat community:
There are more opportunities than ever before to work remotely while traveling abroad after college. If you recently earned a degree in marketing, journalism, software development, or graphic design, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding work online.
There are two routes to go down as a digital nomad:
Use these resources to get started freelancing or working remotely today:
One of the best ways to get in on the ground floor of your industry is to find an internship abroad. Internships provide real-world experience in your field. They’re also easier to obtain than a full-time job.
You can find internships using resources you have on hand as a recent college graduate. Your college or university's online job or internship board is the first place you should look. You can also book time to meet with someone in your career services office. He or she may be able to direct you to companies currently looking to hire interns.
Next, startups are always looking for interns and may offer the opportunity to get more experience than corporate internships. BuiltIn lists internships available to college students and recent graduates.
Nonprofits and NGOs have hubs all over the world. Idealist helps job seekers find nonprofit internships. You can also look at VolunteerMatch and LinkedIn.
Leaving home immediately after graduating isn’t the best option for everyone. There are pros and cons to finding work abroad after college. At the end of the day, only you can decide what’s best for you. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
You’ll find that landing work abroad after college is similar around the world. Employers want to know they’re making a wise investment by hiring you. Here’s how to put your best foot forward, wherever that may be.
Standards for resumes vary widely, so you’ll likely have to revamp your current version to appeal to companies in other countries. For example, a photo and personal information might not be considered relevant in the U.S., but are standard in many places outside the U.S., writes Elaina Giolando for Go Overseas.
Generally, the global standard is a two-page resume that includes the following:
To prepare for varying foreign requirements, Giolando further recommends drafting a four-to-five-page “master" resume that you can tailor to individual jobs and countries.
Remember that your cover letter and resume make up the first impression a potential employer has of you. Here are some tips to help you “wow” them with these documents:
Take these additional steps to prepare for the unexpected as you embark on your international career: