Today's post is written by first-time wannabe/employee guest writer Eileen Archer. Working abroad is such a current topic - thanks for charing Eileen!
Oftentimes, it’s difficult to see anyone
other than an English teacher living abroad and doing what they love. It
doesn’t necessarily have to be this profession. You just have to be
well-prepared for the move. After a good few years of teaching in private academies
abroad (yes I fit the stereotypical English Teacher) I changed my life around.
I became a Writer for magazine articles and online publications, and have more
ambitions aside, that involve more travelling.
I used my experience in teaching English
and new-found grammar ability to hone other skills, and gradually made a
parallel move - a successful one at that. So for all of you in the same boat as
me a few years ago, or even just with the thought of moving abroad and changing
or developing your profession to change you and your life in some way, it’s
much easier than you think. Remember, that first step on the ladder is your
pathway to other greatness, and a way to see the world while you achieve that.
Widen your scope
You really need to take on more work, not
just to make yourself invincible in the workplace but to increase your
skillset. This is where you will become THE person the company will want to
send abroad.
I was a Teacher of certain levels and certain
classes. I soon changed that. I didn’t want to stay teaching the same bunch of
kids for what felt like forever. So I taught adults and exam classes the
following year. The year after that, I was able to get an even better job in a
better academy.
Qualifications
Skills and practical ability and knowledge
are all great. However, in this day and age, only a piece of paper, along with
the ability of course, will make potential employers sit up and take notice. So
whenever your boss offers you the chance to do some official training, jump on
the idea. For example, if you really want to go international then learning a
language might be a good idea.
I became an examiner as well as a teacher.
My boss at the time gave me the opportunity to do this and other than adding to
my skillset, it also brings me in some very good money on the side.
Looking up
It’s easy to get stuck in the same boring
job for years, we all do it or have done it to some extent. The key is to
remember your passion at all times: moving abroad and developing your career.
Make sure that when your boss asks who would like to take on a project that
involves travelling, that your hand is up first. Even if your future career
plans don’t involve this current company, always make sure you have the travel
experience that prospective employers will be looking for.
CV Sending
Before you send that top notch CV and
covering letter, you have to remember that if you’re applying to live abroad,
that you follow their rules when doing so. You’ll also need to remember to show
your knowledge of other cultures and experience of living abroad. Employers
will be impressed by this.
The way I first applied for jobs abroad was
different to the way I do it now. The country I was working for required a
photo attached to the CV. I had never heard of that before. My covering letter
is now also dramatically different: I now know that a successful application
includes your awareness of cultures and adaptability to living in another
country. I wish I knew all of this back then!
Do you have anything to add about having a
career abroad?
Bio:
Eileen Archer is currently a resident blogger and a chief writer at EssayPlanet.org. After obtaining a Masters
in English language she decided to dedicate her time to creative writing as
well as providing assistance to students. She spends her free time reading,
writing poetry and studying for a PhD in an art-related field.
