Whether you’ve dreamed of it growing up or a live circumstance presents itself, the world is becoming more interconnected and Americans overseas have more opportunities than ever before. You probably have a good idea of how you should present yourself in paper and at an interview, but do American best practices apply in different countries?
Tip # 1: A basic understanding of the local job market is essential if you want the best chance of landing a job.
We asked the international team at Adzuna’s HQ and you might be surprised by what you’ll learn.
Germany – say cheese
German applicants are expected to attach a photo of themselves on their resume, and many job seekers include information such as whether they’re married or have any children.
Don’t expect that same kind of transparency from your potential employer though – barely any job ads will have a salary information.
Brazil – show me the money
The phrase ‘you need to spend money to make money’ takes on an unexpected meaning in Brazil – if you want to apply to the top jobs, you’ll need to pay to register with the companies that list the adverts.
While you shouldn’t include a photograph on your resume, you are expected to include your age, which many older jobseekers feel can work against them.
Netherlands – spreek Engels?
If you have the choice between submitting a resume in perfect English and one in double-Dutch, you might want to go with the former.
The Dutch are famous for their proficiency in English – so much so, that applying for a job in English will usually be accepted. In fact, more than 10% of jobs in the Netherlands are actually in English.
Italy – commute happy
You’ve heard of dressing for the job you want, but what about driving for the job you want? Having a car or scooter is a common differentiator between junior and mid level jobs for accountants, lawyers and the like, so if you really want to know how you’ll be treated in the office, see if the job comes with a set of wheels.
South Africa – skills needed
Personal details such as age and even your address are left off resumes to avoid discrimination in the early stages of the recruitment process.
With that said, there is an affirmative action program in place which ‘makes sure that qualified designated groups (black people, women and people with disabilities) have equal opportunities to get a job’.
Nevertheless, a skills shortage means that some positions are very difficult to fill and candidates from abroad are often needed. If you feel like taking your career to Cape Town the best work visa for foreigners is the Critical Skills Work Visa.
