After being interviewed for an expat job, it might be tempting to relax and breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the time after an interview offers you a perfect opportunity to reinforce your application and promote yourself as the #1 candidate for the expat job. So, rather than sitting back with your feet up and waiting for the phone to ring, ensure that your credentials are considered above the competition by following some key steps.

Say “Thank you”
After the interview, follow these steps quickly and efficiently to strengthen your application while you are still fresh in the minds of your potential employers:

• Prepare a short, personal thank you letter for each person you had an interview. This should be emailed, but you can follow up with a hand written note if you’d like. Be sure to include your name, the position you’re applying for and mention something significant or memorable about of your conversation or offer additional insight on a topic discussed.

• Timing is crucial, so be sure to send your thank you within 24 hours after the interview. While you should take time on the letter, your potential employers should receive it while the process remains fresh in their minds.

• Patience is a virtue, but it’s not one that will secure you the international job of your dreams. Interviewers might give an estimated date for their decision, but if you haven’t heard anything by this time, you are entitled to contact them. Be sure to balance your communication with potential employers—respect their time and word while displaying your drive and desire to work.

The Purpose of Post-Interview Communication
There are several reasons for and benefits to sending a “thank you” note. Some expat jobseekers don’t send a thank you letter or email, so by sending one, you’ll stand out from the other candidates. You’ll also show that you have a polite and confident manner and are aware of appropriate social conduct.

Plus, you’ll maintain contact with employers after an interview to stay in the loop in regards to their decision. Be sure to follow up once a discussed date has passed, to show your enthusiasm and desire for the role. Remember, an interview is used by employers to determine your suitability for a specific expat role, but you can take the initiative after the event to reinforce your own desirable attributes.

Nowadays the terms “offshore bank account” and “international bank account” are interchangeable.

The more reputable institutions favour “international” when describing their offshore offerings, as people often regard “offshore” as having slightly unsavoury connotations. Yet the fact of the matter is, when it comes to financial services, the term “offshore” simply relates to a jurisdiction other than the one in which the account or policy holder resides, and there is nothing illicit or illegal about being offshore.

But do expats really need to open an offshore bank account? The major banks with a strong international presence like HSBC and Barclays, to name but two, would like to make all expats believe that they can’t really leave their homeland to work abroad without one. Yet the advertised flexibility of these offshore accounts is not necessarily required by all.

What’s the point of an offshore bank account?

For expats there are three main reasons why an offshore bank account may be beneficial:

1. They can offer potential tax efficiency
2. They can give flexibility and convenience
3. They can provide a secure location for funds

If the expat in question is resident in a low or no-tax nation then the tax efficient argument may hold some water, and if he/she is in a country with a less than secure banking environment or where the local currency is extremely volatile, then having a secure offshore account can also make sense. However, the main reason for the majority of expats to consider opening an offshore bank account is the potential flexibility they will gain.

Some expats move often, others travel widely for their work – and for those in both situations, having one central account that doesn’t need to change every time they change location is certainly beneficial. Offshore accounts can also be opened in different currencies, which can be of benefit to those who are remunerated in one currency, who transact locally in an other, and who have debts and financial obligations in another nation and another currency.

Having one centralised account with one bank through which you manage all your financial affairs can lead you to develop a stronger relationship with the bank in question too. This can have the positive knock on effect of ensuring that your bank recognises your requirements and is as flexible as possible to meet them. Ultimately a bank makes money out of you, their client; therefore if they can help you with your financial management, then you benefit from their assistance, and they benefit from account fees you pay, or the financial leverage they can enjoy from having your funds.

Gaining expatriate clients is big business for the main international banking players. They are all vying for client commitment and offering as many bells and whistles onto their basic account packages as possible to turn as many heads as possible. However, as an expatriate perhaps contemplating opening an offshore account you must never forget the following basic facts:

1. The banks want you because they can make money out of you
2. Don’t mistake their friendly façade for anything other than a sales technique
3. Look closely at what is being offered in a bid to determine whether you really could benefit from it

When is an offshore bank account unecessary for an expat’s financial management?

When most expatriates relocate abroad and can easily manage their money locally in a basic current account in their new country. They can receive their wages into the account, withdraw cash for day-to-day living from that account, and have all bills deducted from the account automatically. For such expats who have relatively straightforward banking needs, an offshore bank account may just be overkill.

Perhaps they have no tax advantages in their new jurisdiction and so could not benefit from earning any interest on their account gross; perhaps they have no need for accounts in multiple currencies, and perhaps their lowly debit card will see them right if ever they do go away on holiday and need to withdraw cash.

Each individual expatriate will need to make a decision about the best way to manage their own financial affairs according to their own circumstances. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, it is now much easier for anyone living anywhere in the world to glean the information they need about the account types available to determine when an offshore account is the right choice, and when a simple current account will suffice. And if you still can’t make up your mind? Then seek advice from a regulated, independent, qualified financial adviser.

Original Source | Shelter Offshore

Landing a job interview means you actually have a decent chance of getting the job.

You’ve been selected from probably hundreds of expatriate applicants to be one of the half-dozen serious contenders for the position. It’s surprising how often hiring managers have a hard time finding a keeper among the six. Way too many expatriate jobseekers fall victim to easily, especially within being interviewed in a foreign country. Avoided situations like the 10 job interview killers listed below. Any of these sound familiar?

1. Being late
It seems so obvious, but here’s a reminder to be on time for a job interview—or better yet, 10 minutes early. Dashing through the revolving door five minutes after the hour does not leave the impression most jobseekers hope to leave. Better to sit in the reception area for 20 minutes soaking up the ambience than to show up, sweaty and disheveled, at the very last minute.

2. Arriving unprepared
“So, what does your company do?” was a great interview question in the decades before Google and social media, but it’s an unacceptable one now. Employers expect you to walk into an interview up to speed on what they do, their competition, and other tidbits gathered via your pre-interview research. Showing up to an interview sans preparation may be the world’s best way to land on the “Thank you for your interest, but no thanks” list.

3. Assuming you know everything
You’ve done your research, but bear in mind the interview is still a chance for you to find out exactly what the company and your prospective boss are dealing with. Successful international jobseekers ask as many questions as they can, rather than jumping whole hog into a litany of their accomplishments. Take whatever chances you’re given to probe for an understanding of the employer’s needs. Much can change in an organisation between the job-posting date and the interview date. Often, the really granular stuff you want to know about the job isn’t in the job description, so dig in and get the scoop!

4. Focusing on irrelevant issues
A client who left the corporate world to run a small nonprofit organisation was looking to hire a marketing manager. She was subjected to one candidate’s 30-minute description of the complex intranet site the jobseeker’s last employer had installed. “My organisation will never have, or need, an employee intranet,” my client reminded me. “Why would the candidate go on and on about something so utterly irrelevant to THIS job?” Good question. Don’t make the same mistake.

5. Being storyless
The hands-down best way to demonstrate your understanding of a subject matter, a tool, or a methodology is to tell a story about it—one that involves you. Stories are specific. When the interviewer asks, “What kind of experience do you have managing employees overseas?” don’t tell them how many people work for you in other countries and where they’re located. Tell a story, instead! Talk about changing plans on a dime or how you saved the day in a crisis. Stories have detail, a beginning-middle-end, and (most critically) a point!

6. Forgetting where you are
Interviews are exhausting, physically and mentally. But tough it out. Don’t call someone by the wrong name, mention your talks with a competitor, or say anything else that will lead people to think you don’t have the stamina for a demanding assginment. Don’t slip and mention the wrong company or you’ll lose big points in the focus department. The same is true for not-ready-for-prime-time behaviors like lacing your hands behind your head, slumping to lean your head on your hand, or leaning on the interviewer’s desk or table. Straighten up there, soldier! You’re on stage, after all.

7. TMI
Sharing too much information is a classic, regrettable interview behaviour that has scuttled many a job search. Don’t talk about your social life more than a light-touch conversation starter, and don’t bring your family or friend relationships into the conversation. Don’t be too familiar with the interviewer—for instance, if there are photos of children displayed in the office, don’t say “Cute kids! How old are they?” which many interviewers can see as intrusive. It also sends a message that you’re hoping to use personal chit-chat as a distraction from the main event.

8. Name-dropping
Maybe you worked with some of the interviewer’s colleagues before. You can mention a name or two as you arrive, to get the conversation going. Don’t make the interview, or even the first five minutes of it, about all the people you know in common. If the interview goes well, reference-checking activities will get under way before long; interviewers don’t tend to look favourably on candidates who want to run through a “Who’s Who of Folks We Know in Common” before focusing on whether you and this expat job are a good fit.

9. Trashing your former employer
This sturdy job search advice chestnut is as valid now as it ever was. An easy way to slip into the trashing your old job trap is during an explanation of one of your accomplishments. If you say “They call themselves a ‘green’ company, but they weren’t even recycling paper until I got there,” you’ve just bashed the hand that fed you. Steer clear of any sort of boss-bashing, no matter how much rapport you feel you’ve established with the interviewer in front of you.

10. Not following up
Your lovely notecard will win you important Emily Post points for manners, but also send a lengthier e-mail message or business letter (typed) to bring your conversation with the interviewer back to mind. Start that message or letter by thanking the interviewer for a specific explanation you received, and offering a reminder of one topic the two of you discussed. Follow that up by sharing a new idea or thought you’ve had since the interview — telling the interviewer that you’re already putting yourself mentally in the job.

Original Source | businessweek.com

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Recent backlogs in visas for Australia jobs under skilled migration option have affected applications from overseas.

With so many applications underway, it is important to set yourself apart from the others in order to ensure speedier processing of your application. When it comes to jobs for expats in Australia, these tips can enable you to receive an employer-sponsored visa.

Examine Lists
Make sure to scrutinise the SOL, or Skilled Occupation Lists. This listing enables you to understand where your specific skills fit. Apply to the jobs and the employers that require your type of skilled talent. This way, you get more chances at both getting the job and securing the visa sponsored by the employer.

Potential Employers
Directing applications towards employers seeking skilled workers enables you to make a faster beeline towards Australia jobs. Check online job boards for available vacancies within your experience and skills set.

Leverage Employment Agencies
You will gain more advantage by hiring the services of a recruitment consultant as opposed to an agency. These consultancies are more hands-on and ensure more visibility for your resume.

Searching
You also need to search out expat job vacancies proactively. Check magazines for your niche segment and the potential jobs available. If you do not find a job immediately, you might find a potential employer that might advertise a vacancy later on. Hence, keeping a watch helps to you to possibly land lucrative Australian jobs.

Personalise Correspondence
Do not send off-the-shelf letters when applying to jobs in Australia. Always customise the correspondence based on the company and job profile. Research the prospective company, determine why you would be a good fit and then draft the letter.

Follow Up
Once you have sent in your correspondence make sure you follow up by speaking to the right person in the company. This will let you know whether they have looked at your letter or are considering your application.

Flexible Approach
Searching the SOL itself means you are being flexible but when it comes to expat jobs in Australia, you may not find a perfect fit always. Make sure to keep your approach flexible so that getting the visa is easier.

Show Genuine Interest
In overseas jobs interviews in Australia, make sure to ask relevant questions about the job role and the company to reveal a genuine interest in the position.

Interview Preparation
Make sure to do thorough research on the prospective job and the company, plus the job position and your role in it. This ensures you remain genuinely knowledgeable about the company and your possible Australian job.

Thank You Letter
Once the interview is over, make sure to send in a letter of thanks to show that you are genuinely interested in the job and learning more about the organisation.

Taking extra steps in getting your dream  job in Australia as an expatriate will ensure your application is processed faster–and that you will get the job! Asking for the job once the interview is over further showcases your genuine interest in the position and it might trigger an easier access to employer-sponsored visa. Out of all others applying, your application then stands a better chance of being considered if you carefully follow these suggestions and tips.

Expat-Daily.com » Career Advice

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Learning new languages can help you widen your career prospects.

This is especially applicable in the context of working abroad since the more languages you know the higher your chances of obtaining work in your chosen job sector, rather than just settling for a lower level job that uses your native language rather than your actual job skills and experiences.

While most people tend to assume that the only language needed for jobs abroad is English, this is really a mistake. Ordinary working personnel in low-scale jobs do not know English and most persons in the 40-60 age bracket only know and converse in their respective national language. For this reason learning foreign languages is especially important to get access to high-paying expat jobs. Learning new languages opens careers prospects, especially in marketing and sales jobs.

Not surprisingly, studies from recruitment agencies dealing in languages reveal that learning a new language could increase wages by as much as 10-15%. With the expat jobs market becoming increasingly competitive, it really pays to know an additional language or two to help you stand out from other candidates. Learning foreign languages could also prove to be a huge boost to your CV. Most jobs abroad tend to prefer candidates who have knowledge of other languages as well. One classic example of this is Alex Bertolotti who had mastered German and French when at school but started learning Russian during night classes while he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC. He is now head of the Russian desk at the company and though he usually conducts meetings using translators he has found knowledge of Russian extremely useful in the job.

One of the other interesting elements about learning new languages is the interesting work that may be sent your way. If you wish to work abroad learning new languages is imperative for your expat career. Countries like Ukraine or Kazakhstan will not have English-speaking employees so knowing Russian in this case is extremely helpful. In the context of businesses too, with more expansion plans and business partners now being from other countries like Russia, the Middle East and continental Europe, expat jobs demand mastery of new languages.

Another major advantage of mastering new languages is that customers can choose to send important documents in the original language without translation. This is a huge timesaving initiative, especially in the context of urgent tasks. Work abroad these days is all about using innovative ways to speed up turnaround times and learning languages is a great way to reduce translation times. Learning the native language can also help recruiters when it comes to expat jobs. It builds better relationships and hones the soft skills element of certain jobs. It also enables businesses to build stronger relationships and improves client retention when they speak the local language.

Apart from the vocabulary and grammatical aspects of a new language it is also crucial to learn the cultural aspects. For example, in Germany handshakes entail the completion of a deal and missing deadlines is considered a huge taboo. Understanding these cultural aspects enables employees to widen career prospects when they work abroad, while also ensuring they do not accidentally offend the native employees.

Out of all the new languages you should consider learning, Spanish tops the list with German being the second most important language. Languages such as French, Dutch and Italian are also considered useful languages in the context of expat jobs. Nordic languages are also extremely useful especially if your jobs abroad are in the telecom, IT or technology sectors.

Expat-Daily.com » Career Advice

Nobody is totally immune to the many monetary issues faced while in employment – not even well paid expats.

Expat professionals who work abroad have to face some money-related worries, despite receiving higher pay and better benefits from working overseas.  Having an international job, after all, does not excuse anyone from the global economic crisis. With the price of everything rising, from the cost of living to inflation rates, 2011 is proving to be a tough year for just about everybody.

Expat workers have as least as many concerns about money as their onshore peers, but there are ways that those with international jobs can resolve, if not avoid, these main money worries.

Worry 1: Retiring Abroad
More than two-thirds of those surveyed by Shelter Offshore revealed that among their top worries in regards to working abroad is retirement. This issue encompasses the financial means to pay for medical and healthcare bills later in life and having enough money to keep them going after retiring abroad.

Although those with international jobs are provided with pensions, this does not guarantee them a comfortable life. In fact, pensions have received very negative press recently, especially in the UK, due to a number of mis-selling scandals as well as poor annuity rates.

To address this issue though, expats should try to explore several options and/or investments to prepare for retirement. They can also try to check on QROPS, or the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes, to ensure themselves of pensions that they can truly benefit from.

Worry 2: Rising Cost of Living
Many of those with expat jobs worry of the cost of living abroad that continues to rise year after year. From food to clothing to fuel, these increasingly expensive commodities add to the financial burden of people working in international jobs. To assuage the situation, expatriates can start buying in local markets and using the metro instead of a car. Buying from off-season sales will also stretch your money further.

Worry 3: Paying for Childrens’ Education
Education in many schools abroad is expensive. Thus, parents who work abroad often worry about paying for their children’s school fees. One of the options to solve this issue is to consider home schooling. Having the child stay at home for school with a family member is a way to help reduce your expenses.

Worry 4: High Taxes for Expats
Although there are countries that offer great tax benefits to those with expat jobs, a number of them do charge taxes at a very high rate. To deal with this, expats should start with getting an assessment of their income and taxes and see if there is any legal way to mitigate the financial obligation. Doing a research on local tax laws can also help shed light for a lower tax solution.

Worry 5: Job Insecurity for Expatriates
Among the top things that cause anxiety for those with international jobs is the security of and stability of their jobs. Although there is no way to avoid job insecurity, one can prepare for the worst through insurance and other investments. A financial back-up plan, like savings, would be very helpful if anything was to happen to your job while working abroad.

International jobs offer a number of financial benefits and advantages, but there are still a number of risks to face. But with the right knowledge and preparation you can protect your hard-earned money while living abroad.

Expat-Daily.com » Career Advice