Discovering New Job Opportunities - Your Dream Career Options Outside the UK

Working is something we do for so much of our time, so discovering new job opportunities should be hard work in itself. What do you want to do, and how do you discover your dream career options outside the UK? 

Perhaps you just want to have summer abroad, or perhaps whilst you are mobile you would like to have a few years working abroad.  There is nothing like living and working in a country to really get to understand it and to learn the culture - and the language.  Indeed improving your language skills can be a good reason for working abroad - but if this is the case choose a company where the official language is the local one and not an international one where business is conducted in English!

We wrote this short guide to advise you on where to go to discover those job opportunities for yourself.

UK residents have a right to work elsewhere in Europe - including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein; and exploring a different environment - and a different country - should be top of your list if you want to find new job opportunities in countries other than the UK.

Whether you are looking for summer work, equestrian roles, jobs on cruise ships or for roles within the hospitality and holiday sector, there are networks and organisations that can help you to explore available job vacancies outside the UK, for instance Jobcentre Plus. You can also obtain further assistance through the European Employment Services, who promote job opportunities within the European Economic Area (or the EEA) and are very approachable should you require support and advice.

Although there can be barriers that make working outside the UK difficult, such as the language, finding suitable health care and even finding a suitable location in which to work but working in other countries can be exciting. Not only can you find rewarding work, but you can also boost your confidence as well gaining valuable experience whilst developing skills that otherwise may difficult to experience in the UK.

If you choose to work outside of Europe, there may be potential problems faced such as gaining a permit but you can find valuable information available if you are prepared to put the time in. Try visiting careers fairs or reading journals or newspapers such as the 'Overseas Jobs Express' (also available online) to find the companies that are advertising jobs outside the UK.

Make sure that you take the proper precautions.  Check out the company and ensure that they are genuine.  Make sure you have access to enough money to get home should you need to .  Check with the British Consulate to ensure the country is safe to work in.  Basically, plan it properly, be safe and have fun.