Tips on finding a summer job abroad

6 Tips on landing a summer job abroad

Jimmy Barnes
Authored by Jimmy Barnes
Posted: Monday, May 24, 2021 - 10:31

One of the best parts of summer is getting to travel and seeing new places. However, going on holidays all the time can be expensive and can punch a hole in your savings. Thus, many people are also finding opportunities to work while spending their holidays abroad. Not only are they earning money while visiting new places, they get to utilize their skills or learn new ones in the process. And this is why a lot of companies are providing rewarding short-term summer job opportunities abroad. 

Want to go on a holiday while earning and learning on the spot? With these tips, you’ll know what to do to land a job overseas this summer:

  1. Look for summer working holiday company

One easy, direct way for short-term work abroad is to find excellent summer working holiday companies that will help you find the best work and travel destinations. They’ll assist you in narrowing down your summer job search as they have local contacts in different destinations. Most of these companies also offer a worker’s package that already includes paperwork guidance, accommodations, transfers, and finding the right job at your chosen destination.

However, if you don’t want to look for these companies and want to do everything on your own, you should start by identifying what skills you have.

  1. Identify your skills

Determining the skills you have that fit most common criteria of summer employment opportunities abroad is critical in landing the job at the destination you want. From there, you’ll want to tailor your resume to these openings to attract recruiters and increase your chances.

Below are the common types of jobs available. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of what skills you need to work on:

  • Teach English or other language courses in a foreign country.
  • Work for the United Nations to help refugees through providing food aid. (Bilingual job seekers may also interpret for the United Nations in international conferences or negotiations.)
  • Working as nannies requires experience working with children. This may include tutoring to full-time childcare help.
  • Jobs in the hospitality industry, especially in resorts in one of the most popular destinations such as Zante, an island located off the western coast of Greece.

Each of these summer jobs abroad will have different requirements, so it’s essential to do your research and highlight your skills to find the best fit for you.

  1. Consider a highly rated work and travel destination

One of the many ways to land a summer job abroad and ensure that everything goes as planned is to look for reviews on highly rated destinations. This may be an overlooked point, but safety should be your top priority when finding a highly rated work and travel destination.

While you’re looking for seasonal work overseas to gain job experience in the industry you’ll be working in, your safety is still paramount. The best way to do find top-rated destinations is by referring to reviews from other summer job workers and travelers who have had been there before.

Make sure the company provides accommodations and shuttle services to and from the work site. That way, you can focus on getting started immediately. And the higher the ratings, the more secure the company is and the more job opportunities the destination may have. You can never be too sure; your money and yourself are at stake here when you don’t do your research properly.

  1. Get your resume in order

After narrowing down the best options, you must take the time to create a solid resume highlighting your personality and skills. You may also localize your resume to the country where you’re applying for a summer job. You can do this by using the area’s native language and offering your skills to contribute to that country. Creating a specialized or localized resume might even help you attract longer-term job opportunities. Once you’ve updated or created your resume, it’s time to take some action.

  1. Polish those interviewing skills

Job interviews can be scary for many people, especially when interviewing in another country. Whether you’re trying to nail the initial or final interview, here are some things you can do to prepare and make the process easier for you:

  • Study possible questions that might come up in an interview so you’re ready with good responses. 
  • Practice your answers so you feel confident during the interview. If you’re not sure what questions might be asked, do some research on popular websites to see what common topics come up in discussions so that you can prepare yourself before the big day.
  • Make a strong first impression. Do this by asking the right questions and telling the company what you expect from them. Asking questions means you’re interested in learning about your role and that you want to make an impact, no matter how short your term is.

Remember that being prepared during an interview is one of the keys to landing a summer job abroad.

  1. Get to know the country

Learn about the culture and language of your prospective company’s host country. This will help you better interact with the company, learn new words, and respect their customs. Expect a little bit of culture shock, but if you get to know the country first, you’ll fit just right in.

Final words

If you’re ready to take on a summer job abroad, make sure your resume and interviewing skills are ready. It’d be best if you’ll also learn about the country’s culture and invest time into learning their language before applying. If you're having trouble doing everything on your own, look for a summer working holiday company and let them guide you to an unforgettable summer.

Preparing for a job overseas might seem like too much work, but the experience you gain will make it a worthwhile opportunity.
 

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