Archive for December 2009

Finding Job Overseas

Finding a job overseas can be very overwhelming because a lot of countries make it difficult to get jobs with local firms or to obtain work permits.

You may be faced with finding a job overseas because a spouse has been relocated, or you may just want to experience a new culture.

Whatever your reason for moving internationally, there are many routes you can take when searching for employment.

Obtain a Work Permit

Visit the official government website of the country you are relocating to in order to get the necessary information for working abroad.

The consulate or embassy should be able to help you obtain the necessary forms and give you checklists of the documentation you will need to get together in order to be approved for a work permit.

Ask questions and send as many emails as needed until you have all of the proper documentation together to apply for the work permit.

International Opportunities with American Companies

If you are currently working for a company with international offices, start applying to job openings within your company.

You may also want to contact the managers who work in the overseas offices to establish a relationship and let them know you are interested in relocating internationally.

Find out what you need to do in order to get transferred.

The managers can let you know personally when they have employment opportunities that become available.

Getting a job with a company based in your home country might be less complicated than applying for jobs based in foreign countries.

When a company relocates you overseas, the human resources department will usually handle the work permits, visas and other paperwork involved in your move.

They may also give you an international relocation package, which will help with the cost of moving abroad.

Network

Take advantage of conferences, tradeshows and other opportunities to meet potential international employers.

Ask about potential employment opportunities at their company or at other companies in your field.

Get business cards and always have your business cards available.

Follow up as soon as possible to establish a relationship with your new contacts and keep in touch every few months.

 Work Remotely

Many businesses outsource their labor, which opens up opportunities for consultants and freelancers. The internet has made working remotely a reality for many individuals.

Working remotely gives you the flexibility to move internationally while keeping a regular income flow.

Each country is different, so you will want to find out what permits and visas you need to relocate to your new country even if you will not be earning a paycheck from a local company. 

Applying for Jobs Online

There are many websites that allow you to search for jobs internationally.

Although many companies will hire local candidates before they consider international candidates, you may have a specific experience or skills that are appealing to foreign companies.

Find ways to market yourself to show potential employers the value in considering your resume.

 You may also want to plan a vacation in the country to which you wish to relocate and schedule interviews with as many companies as possible.

Showing overseas companies that you are serious about the move will increase your chances of landing a full-time paid position.

Moving with a Spouse

If you are moving internationally with a spouse for his or her job, the company your spouse works for may offer job placement assistance.

Your spouse’s company may also be able to help you obtain your work permit.

However, you will want to keep in mind that some countries only allow one spouse to be employed.

Teaching English Abroad

Many schools in foreign countries want to hire native English speakers.

Having a college degree and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification are helpful credentials to have when landing a teaching job.

Schools will often help with relocation and can even offer housing as part of your compensation.

Teaching overseas will give you the opportunity to network with locals and open doors for future employment.

Volunteering Internationally

Although you will not get paid for your time, volunteering internationally can help you get overseas and network with local companies.

You can use the experience and your new contacts to help get a paid employment opportunity in your country of choice.

Article provided by IntlMOVE Inc.

International Moving Process

 

Moving to a new country is very exciting as you and your family will be introduced to a new culture and discovers the thrill of exploring a new environment.
This is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, so make sure to plan your international move to make it a smooth process. 

Choosing an International Moving Company

Hiring and international moving company which has helped thousands of families relocate overseas is the most important step in the international moving process.
Find a company that specializes in international moves because they have the expertise and knowledge to make the move as stress free as possible.
The company you choose should have the resources to pack your household goods with care, ship your personal belongings overseas, coordinate customs clearance at your new location and deliver your shipment to your new home.

IntlMOVE will take care of the details and  you will be pleased with the professional level of service you will receive from one of the top-rated international movers in the industry. 

Packing your Household Goods

IntlMOVE will make sure your household goods and furniture are packed to withstand the turbulence your international shipment will experience.
Unlike in domestic moves, blankets and reusable packing materials cannot be used.
Your furniture will be dismantled and wrapped in bubble wrap and padded with corrugated cardboard.
All of your china, glass, crystal and other breakable items will be wrapped in plastic bubble wrap before they are packed in boxes. 
Artwork, mirrors and electronic equipment will all be packaged in special boxes made especially for these fragile items.
Items that need extra protection will be crated, in addition, your shipment may be packaged in wooden crates called liftvans.
An inventory list will be prepared so you can check off all items when they are delivered to your new location overseas. 

International Shipment

Once your household goods are safely packed, they are transported to the consolidation warehouse.
At the warehouse, your items will be packed into large steel containers which will be delivered to the port and loaded on to a ship.
IntlMOVE will closely manage the details of your overseas move.
IntlMOVE will effectively communicate with you during the entire moving process.

If you need to ship your car overseas, IntlMOVE can help.
Your car can be shipped in the same container as the rest of your household goods.
There are specific requirements and documents needed to ship your car overseas and an IntlMOVE consultant can help guide you through the process.

Overseas Shipment Delivery

After careful planning, your household goods will be delivered to your new home.
IntlMOVE will deliver your personal effects, unpack your furniture and place all boxes in specified rooms.
All packaging debris and wrapping materials will be removed at time of delivery.                                                                                                                                                                         

Let IntlMOVE help coordinate and organize your international move so you can relax and enjoy this new and exciting experience.

Compare international movers

Choosing an international moving company to ship your household goods is one of the most important decisions you will make during your overseas relocation.
Taking the time to research international movers will pay off and help make the new transition less stressful.  

Licensed and Bonded
The Federal Government requires international movers to be licensed and bonded. The first thing you will want to look for when choosing an international mover is that the company is bonded and licensed with the Federal Maritime Commission. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent agency with strict requirements regarding licensing, bonds and experience international moving companies must possess.   

Service and Price – What’s included in the quote?
The quote you receive to ship your household goods overseas is based on the size of your shipment and the services offered.
Some international moving companies may offer you extremely low quotes, but you will want to evaluate the services you will get.  
Compare the quotes to determine if the international moving companies are giving you a price based on the same volume.
Also, determine if the price is based on door-to-door service, door-to-port service or port-to-port service.  This will make a considerable difference in the moving price.
Most international movers will include terminal handling charges in the USA.
Outside of the United States, these fees are referred to as a container service charge, these can change without notice, they out of your international mover control and usually will be excluded from the quoted price.

Service and Communication
When comparing international movers, research the differences in the level of customer service you can expect.
You can do this by asking questions and researching the companies online and by phone.
Here are some tips to help you differentiate international movers.
Find out whether the company specializes in domestic or international moves.
There is a lot more paperwork and attention to detail involved in international moves, so you will want to choose a company like IntlMOVE that only handles international relocations.  
Read customer testimonials to determine if the international mover customer service standards reach and may exceed your expectations.
Determine whether or not the international mover is licensed and bonded as required by law. 
Find out their hours of operation and how to get a hold of someone outside of normal business hours. 
Your international mover should be able to keep you informed on the progress of your shipment, so ask how this information will be communicated to you. 
Visit the offices and warehouse of the international mover so you can check first hand the organization and level of service the company offers.  
IntlMOVE invites all of its current and potential customers to visit the company facility, so they can see the exceptional level of care that goes into moving their household goods and personal effects.  
Clearing customs can be confusing, so clarify how your international mover will handle your customs’ clearing process.

IntlMOVE – Handling Household Goods

Trust IntlMOVE:
IntlMOVE
is a reliable and efficient international moving company that prides itself on customer service and dependability. Entrusting International Movers with all of your personal belongings shouldn’t be taken lightly.
 IntlMOVE invites all current and prospective customers to visit its offices and warehouse to see the first-rate care you and your belongings will receive.
When hiring international movers, make sure you are aware of the attention to detail it takes to move overseas.
 Put your trust in a reputable international moving company, such as IntlMOVE, that has the experience and credentials to help make your relocation a smooth transition.

Packing for International Move:
IntlMOVE
packing team will pack your entire household strategically to ensure that fragile household goods are handled with care so they arrive safely. After all, your belongings will be loaded onto a truck, packed into shipping crates, shipped by boat and handled at customs before arriving at your new home. When moving overseas your possessions will be handled at many different points, so careful packing is imperative in the moving process.
IntlMOVE will make sure that boxes are not overloaded, so items are not damaged on their long journey. Fragile items are always wrapped in bubble wrap before being placed into a box because of their breakable nature. Art pieces and mirrors are placed in special boxes that cushion the delicate items. Your bed and bed frame will be wrapped in bubble wrap and protected with corrugated cardboard. Your mattress is protected with a mattress cover and corrugated paper.

In domestic moves, reusable packing materials like blankets are usually used to protect furniture.
Reusable packing materials cannot be used in international moves, so furniture must be protected another way.
 Furniture is first wrapped in bubble wrap to guard against any damage. For an added layer of protection, your furniture may also  be wrapped with corrugated cardboard.
IntlMOVE packs electronic equipment in special boxes that have extra padding. This extra padding helps to make sure the electronics equipments arrive undamaged and in working condition and also protect the knobs and the finish of the equipment.
IntlMOVE offers wooden crates called liftvans for added protection. The liftvans will hold household goods and furniture and are placed inside the containers that are eventually loaded onto the ship.

Some pre move planning:
When shipping electronic equipment, you will want to make sure that your items are compatible with overseas power supplies.
 The power supply in a new country is often overlooked as people assume their electronic equipment can be used without problems. Each country is different, so do your research. You many need to invest in power adapters and overseas voltage converters.
Most countries have specific items that will not clear customs.
 Check with the embassy or consulate in your new location to get a specific list. In general, you should avoid packing fire arms, live plants or seeds, open bottles containing liquid, flammable cleaning solutions, toxic substances, alcohol and any pressure spray cans.

There are items that you want to make sure are not packed with the rest of your possessions.
 Don’t pack important items like passports, airline tickets, bank items and visas. Also, you will want to avoid packing birth certificates, marriage certificates and bank information.  These are all items you may need when arriving at your new destination and are not easily replaceable. 
Most people have a budget they must stay within.
When moving overseas the transportation of your belongings can get expensive.
Before hiring an international moving company, it is wise to determine what items to ship and what to leave behind.
 You might be moving to a smaller space, so determine your household needs and get rid of the items that are not necessary. It is also a good idea to leave behind all clothes that are no longer worn and that family members have outgrown. There are many ways to get rid of unwanted furniture of household goods. You can sell the items, give them to friends and family or simply donate the items to charity. Many charities will come to your house to pick up items if you have a lot of belongings to donate.