At some point, we all have the desire to get away. The 9 – 5 job, endless traffic and long commutes is simply not for everyone and although it can look like a tall tale if you truly want to experience working overseas then perhaps this post may help you get on the right path.

About the past

I have worked in IT all my life although I am in no way a genius when it comes to technology. I also grew up like many others with very limited resources and commitments which were difficult get out of. I don’t have a degree and back in the day very little in the way of support, however I have managed to build a successful career working overseas in Ethiopia before settling on a small island in the Caribbean.

I mention this because if you are in a similar position you can still make that leap. Unfortunately, it may just take you longer.

What to do

The first objective is to work on you. Some self-confidence and a marketable skill is going to take you a long way. If confidence does not come to you naturally then this is something you will need to work on. Being shy, quiet and difficult to talk to will hinder your ability to take that leap. Get involved in charity work or events which are outside your comfort zone. You must be engaging and be prepared to meet people. Every interaction is a win, Even the ones that don’t go well. To achieve this I was involved in local charity work, attended events outside of town and did everything I could to continue to build my confidence.

Next is a marketable skill. This is the ship you will be sailing on and it’s going to take effort. I always had an interest in technology and so decided on that route but many of my friends went down the teaching route and became far more marketable than me. It all depends on what you are good at and what you want to do. I know a number of people who studied TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) and did very well with it.

Different parts of the world also have different requirements. You are going to need to study up on where your skills are in most demand. For example, when I considered going to South Korea the lack of a degree stopped me dead, however in the Caribbean I found companies preferred industry certifications and experience so the lack of a degree hasn’t hindered my progress.

Training: Training comes in many forms from self-paced learning to official courses. It is critical so get to know your area. You also need to decide whether a degree is right for you. Of course, this depends on what you specialize in. Again, research, research, research as information is key.

Experience: Being able to show that you have proven experience in your field is gold dust. Get this any way you can. Even if you must do this for free. This also builds self confidence in your ability to do your job. Leaving your country is a big deal and you truly do not want to be in a position where you are unable to meet your requirements.

Finding a voluntary placement

The first job is always the hardest to find. For me I started when I was 23. I had never worked outside of my home town and didn’t have more than a few quid in my bank. The struggle was real as I needed someone to not only give this young lad a chance but also to fund the whole thing. I decided to consider charities which sent specialists overseas in order to empower local communities. After months of searching I discovered two very good organizations VSO: https://www.vsointernational.org/ and Calcutta Rescue: http://www.calcuttarescuefund.org.uk. I signed up with VSO and 6 months later I was heading to Ethiopia.

Finding an organization to join is an excellent way to start your overseas career. Some are prepared to fund some if not all of your costs providing you commit to a certain amount of time which is usually a year.

Research in depth the company you decide to go with. Always be cautious when an organization asks you for money. There are a lot of companies and websites out there which offer you the world but give you nothing. Remember if it sounds too good to be true unfortunately is usually is.

Finding a job

Find that overseas job usually takes a lot of work. There are hundreds of websites, endless jobs and unfortunately a mountain of scammers. When looking at jobs remember these points:

• Never send money. If they ask its most likely a scam.

• Look at the permit requirements for the country you are looking at moving to. Some visas are easier to get than others.

There may also be fees which the employer must pay. Its good to know the requirements.

• Research the country. There are many expat communities which will highlight the actual cost and standard of living. You can usually find an expat exchange by searching for something like expat living in Bermuda.

• Always of some spare funds available. Prepare for the unexpected.

One excellent way of successfully finding a job is signing up with a recruiter in country that deals with hiring overseas. Usually these companies will have information on their website about relocating and job opportunities for people wishing to relocate. A nice CV with a few Skype interviews maybe all that’s needed to get you started.

Another option is to use other recruiting sites such as Linkedin.com, bayt.com or general job listing sites. I successfully secured a job that was advertised on http://www.jobinthesun.com/jms/jspreview/search.cfm. I did however apply for hundreds of jobs all over the world on all sorts of websites and rarely ever did I receive a response.

I cannot stress enough that research is key. When I was was originally looking I spent more time applying for jobs than I did actually researching the countries that I was applying for. I was very lucky not to be scammed or end up in a bad situation. I have learned from my mistakes and I hope someone else will find this useful.

I know many out there are keen to find experience a life elsewhere and I would always encourage it. The rewards are life changing and amazing.