The International Club of Berne
Living Overseas
Here is a sample of the advice found in The Canadian Guide to Working
& Living Overseas at www.workingoverseas.com/
Are you Ready for Life Overseas?
The idea of a job in Geneva may sound inviting, but only if it's right
for you. Be careful not to base your idea of working abroad on glamour.
While living overseas may seem like a full-time touring opportunity, the
realities of daily living and working must be taken into consideration
before you even begin your job search, let alone sign that contract and
get on the plane!
Thus, before taking the plunge and perhaps making a costly mistake in
your career and personal life, here are some questions you should answer
before deciding to look for work overseas:
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Are you prepared for major adjustments in your home and work life?
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Are you prepared to be separated from your family, loved ones, friends?
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Are you prepared to live in another country where you may not understand
the language?
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Are you prepared to give up all the services and facilities you take for
granted - medical, legal, financial?
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Are you willing to try new foods? Perhaps do without television? Your daily
newspaper? Even a telephone?
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Are you prepared to live with new security considerations, possible political
instability, crime, corruption, major class differences?
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Are you prepared to live in a different climate with perhaps hot, humid
temperatures or torrential rainfall?
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Are you prepared for living in a culture very different from your own,
with customs and attitudes you have never encountered before?
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Are you prepared to be patient in a way you probably never had to be here
at home?
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Are you prepared to frequently misunderstand and be misunderstood?
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Are you prepared to put in storage or divest yourself of most of your belongings
for a period of one year or more?
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Are you prepared to accept alternate schooling arrangements for your children?
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Are you capable of dealing with the tremendous contrast of poverty and
wealth existing side by side in the South?
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Are you capable of adapting to different situations, even unpleasant ones?
Answering carefully the above questions should give you some idea of your
suitability for an overseas career.
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Important Characteristics for Overseas Work
The following details skills and personal traits that make for a successful
international worker, someone with a high International IQ. These skills
and traits are not always easy to describe in your résumé.
It's up to you to demonstrate them in your interview. The Canadian Guide
to Living & Working Overseas describes these traits in detail.
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GENERAL TRAITS:
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Enjoyment of Change
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Sense of Adventure
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Desire for Challenges
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Open Mind
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Patience
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Curiosity
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ADAPTATION AND COPING SKILLS:
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Emotional Stability and Ability to Deal with Stress
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Knowledge of Culture Shock
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bservation and Adaptation Skills
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Flexibility
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Humour
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Self-knowledge
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INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
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Tolerance
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Sensitivity
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Listening and Observing
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Nonverbal Communication Skills
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Second Language Speaking Skills
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OVERSEAS WORK EFFECTIVENESS SKILLS:
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Independence and Self-discipline
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Training Experience
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Resourcefulness
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Versatility
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Persistence
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Organizational and People Skills
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Leadership
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Energy
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Project Planning Skills
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Writing Skills
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Verbal Communication Skills
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Loyalty and Tenacity
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Tact
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Philosophical Commitment to Field of Work
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KEY TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE OVERSEAS EMPLOYEE:
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Interpersonal Skills
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Assertiveness and Sense of Identity
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Realistic Pre-departure Expectations
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Phone Techniques for finding International Work
You have a list of overseas employers: consulting firms, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), and international organizations, their addresses
and phone numbers. You don't know whom to contact, their job titles or
departments. You are probably unfamiliar with the companies' hiring procedures,
what job openings are or will be available, or which professional qualifications
are being sought. You may be unsure how to find out.
Surprisingly, this information is easy to come by! The simple solution
is to telephone potential employers and directly ask these questions before
you send your résumé.
SUMMARY OF CREATIVE PHONE TECHNIQUES
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Why Phone?
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To find out what jobs are open, or will be open.
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To address your résumé to the proper person.
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To make contacts and build relationships.
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To make yourself known.
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To find out what personality traits are being sought.
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To find out what skills are essential.
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To learn the special language (jargon) of your future field.
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To facilitate writing a résumé patterned on employer expectations
and needs.
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To follow up and keep your résumé active.
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To uncover other sources of overseas jobs.
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To demonstrate and improve your communication skills.
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To learn about the overseas job market in general.
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Phone Manners
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Always announce yourself by name.
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Always address the person by name.
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Always mention your referral.
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Always be polite, courteous and persistent.
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Always treat everyone with the utmost respect.
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Always be direct about the nature of your call.
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Phone Techniques
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Use the card system to keep track of people.
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Use the card system to note the in-house language of the field.
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Use the card system to keep track of follow-up calls.
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Have a written list of questions before phoning.
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Directly ask employers what type of candidates are sought, and the exact
criteria.
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Phrase your questions with diplomacy, without forcing employers to commit
themselves.
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Treat everyone as an expert and acknowledge his or her expertise in your
conversation.
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Approach each information-gathering exercise with enthusiasm and confidence.
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If you're unable to get past a secretary, ask your questions to him or
her.
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First, practice your phone techniques with employers of least interest
to you.
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When calling long distance, mention this fact to the other party.
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Share your knowledge of the job market with recruitment officers.
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Persist with requests for information and in sending your résumé,
despite negative feedback.
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Ask for further information on other overseas employers.
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Send a thank-you note to those who have been particularly helpful.
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Make full use of follow-up phone calls.
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More detailed information on using the telephone is available in The
Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas.