International OutlookInternational OutlookOverseas options: work & play...After several years of study, many graduates feel like a well-earned break. The lure of adventures in far, distant lands is powerful for Australian and New Zealand students, which is why thousands strap on their backpacks each year and head OS. Taking a 'gap year' as it is called in Britain, can be a good idea if you are unsure of the direction you want to take or feel like study has temporarily sapped you of career motivation. Even if you are clear about your career direction, taking time out to broaden your horizons can be valuable for your personal growth and employability. Organisations recognise the added value of staff who have seen a bit of the world. And the fact that you have planned and undertaken a trip is evidence of a range of personal qualities appreciated in the workplace, such as independence, determination and curiosity. Working overseas - pros & cons
Pros
Cons Working holiday schemes Many countries have specific working holiday visas and schemes which allow visitors to work for up to a year. Each country will have different criteria, but an age bracket is usually specified (most often 18 to 30). Below are the list of countries which currently offer working holiday visas to eligible applicants from Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to thes countries listed above, Australian citizens are also able to work in New Zealand and there are some limited schemes allowing work in the United States. Check with your Careers Service or go to www.ccusa.com . All of these visas are a once-in-a-lifetime 'offer'. Depending on the country, this visa allows you to work for a period of time under varying conditions. However, in all cases employment must be 'incidental' to the main purpose of the visit: holidaying. You can utilise more than one working holiday visa for a given period, thereby allowing you to plan a round-the-world trip with working stops in various destinations. Cultural awareness It is important to be aware of the culture you are operating in throughout your job search and your stay overseas. Being aware of what is appropriate communication and behaviour will be a big part of your success. For example, in Australia and New Zealand it is considered appropriate to be confident, look directly at the interviewer and be quite forthcoming. However, in some countries this behaviour would be seen to show a lack of respect. Deakin University has lots of useful information on this area at: www.deakin.edu.au/studentlife/careers/international/index.php . World at your fingertips… Some useful websites with information about living and working abroad, and specific country visas and opportunities, see the following websites:
Permanent/contract work Increasingly, Australians are finding their way to the top internationally. However, finding a permanent or contract position overseas with a business or international organisation usually requires some prior experience (and often another language). International work experience, either through a working holiday or volunteer work, will be a definite plus to this quest. Volunteer work See the Volunteering Overseas section of this site for more information. A global labour market Transnational employers are looking for students with strong academic results, often citing second class honours as a minimum (equivalent to distinction average). This is a higher expectation than Australian offices have for local hires and is often difficult for students studying in a second language to attain. Extracurricular activities are important, as is a ‘can do/will do’ attitude. Interestingly, many accounting firms are happy to recruit non-accountants as long as they have the right generic and transferable skills. Unlike Australia, most firms in South East Asia, for example, accept applications year round, rather than in cycles. Most firms do start graduates in ‘batches’, with the main intake being in July/August. This runs contra to the Australian graduate cycle. Most firms would prefer students to graduate and then apply for mid year commencement. Malaysia is the notable exception to this, actively promoting to final year students for commencement in January/February, interviewing in Australia and offering jobs at interview. Be aware As mentioned earlier, there are many benefits to working overseas. To help ensure that your OS experience is a successful one, carefully research opportunities and make sure they are legitimate and offer what you want. Job Watch has prepared a document on common issues of concern, which is available at: www.job-watch.org.au/jwtraps/jhwo.pdf . Your Careers Service will also be able to assist you. More information
For more detailed information go to your university Careers Service, check out the publications available at www.globalexchange.com.au
and Working the Globe: An Easy Guide to Overseas Opportunities by Margareta Olsson.
This article is taken from the 2007-08 edition of GCA's employer directory Graduate Opportunities
. © 2007 Graduate Careers Australia |
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