Prepare for working abroad

Employers are increasingly seeking graduates who are not only academically proficient but also culturally diverse and culturally aware. Engaging in activities, like those suggested below, demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the adaptability, communication skills, and global perspective necessary to thrive in a diverse workplace. 

There's so much on offer at Nottingham.

• Explore opportunities abroad. Take advantage of the various opportunities at Nottingham to gain experience in another country. This includes study abroad, inter-campus exchanges, international exchange programmes, and international summer schools
• Gain work experience overseas. Seek work experience overseas during vacation time to build cultural awareness and contacts
• Consider an optional Placement Year. Enhance your CV with an optional Placement Year in industry, gaining invaluable experience and developing employability skills. This could be abroad or with an international organisation or team (which may offer secondment opportunities)
• Nottingham Advantage Award. Participate in the Nottingham Advantage Award to gain essential life and work-based skills, through the completion of extracurricular modules. Modules include 'A Window on the World: An Intercultural Journey from the Local to the Global' and 'French Language Conversation Exchange' and other modules to develop cross-cultural awareness
• Learn a language. The university’s Language Centre can support you in learning a language as either part of you studies or as an extracurricular activity. You can also use an online language learning app or attend a free Open University online language course 
• Build your network. Start developing your networks in your target country while you are in the UK. Professional associations, online career forums, and social media networks can be valuable resources. Visit our networking pages for advice on face-to-face and online networking including the use of social media such as LinkedIn.
• Understand job markets. Familiarise yourself with job markets, sources of vacancies, recruitment practices and deadlines in your target destination using our continent-specific pages and use GoinGlobal (see below). 

After graduating

The university's Alumni Office has developed a network of international contacts and groups which may be helpful for networking after graduation.

Your approach will vary depending on whether your priority is to work wherever the best opportunities are for your chosen career, or whether you have a specific destination in mind. If it's the latter,  you might need to consider temporary or non-graduate positions as a way of obtaining valuable local knowledge, contacts and references.

You are more likely to find a permanent job abroad once you have some experience. Big companies, international organisations, development agencies, and diplomatic services often offer opportunities to work abroad after some time or as part of their graduate opportunities. If you're interested in working overseas, ask these organisations to see how likely it is to get an international assignment.

Here are some questions to get you started. Using GoinGlobal and talking to our advisers, we can help you take the next step.

The basics

• Which country or countries appeal to you?
• How long do you want to work abroad? Are you thinking short-term or do you want to settle there for a while?

Working in another country

• Do you need to be fluent in the local language or is English widely spoken? Would you be willing to take a language course to improve your skills?
• Do you need a work visa to get started? How long is the visa for?
• How is the economy and job market looking like in your target country? 
• What salaries on offer and how does that compare to the cost of living?

Exploring vacancies and requirements

• For the jobs that interest you, what employers are looking for in new recruits?

• Do your qualifications and work experience reflect what employers are looking for?  Are your qualifications recognised in the country you want to move to or will you need additional paperwork or certifications? 
• Do you have the skills and experiences that will make your an attractive candidate?
• What are the application conventions for CVs, covering letters, and application forms?

Living in another country

• What is the culture like? Are you comfortable with the local customs, traditions, and social norms?
• What is the lifestyle like? How do people spend their free time, and what kind of recreational activities are popular?
• How will you adapt to the new environment? Are you prepared for potential challenges such as homesickness, cultural differences, and adjusting to a new way of life?

Take a look at Culture Wizard, a platform designed to help you undersrnad cultural differences for personal and professional success. You have free access to Culture Wizard through GoinGlobal, an international careers information database.

Find out more about Culture Wizard and GoinGlobal

We have collated a list of websites covering a wide range of countries and, although not exhaustive, they are a good starting point for your research.

We also highlight two resources targeted at UoN students and graduates - MyCareer, our vacancy board, and GoinGlobal, an international careers database available free to UoN students and graduates 

Find opportunities abroad

Familiarise yourself early with visa conditions and application procedures in your target country. Use GoinGlobal if the country is listed. Being eligible will depend on a range of factors such as shortage occupations, qualifications, age and so on.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website provides an up-to-date listing of foreign embassies in the UK which can be a useful source of information on these matters. You should also research other factors that will shape your experience of the country such as living standards or healthcare provision.