Monthly Wrap: 3 Popular English-speaking job opportunities overseas

By Currencies Direct on September 17, 2021

Looking for a change of scene?

Emigration isn’t just for retirees. Expat communities are full of people who’ve moved abroad for a variety of reasons, including work, family or quality of life; which is to say, there are opportunities abroad for everyone, including those looking for employment.

Don’t let a lack of foreign language proficiency put you off, either. There are numerous jobs available in most foreign-language-speaking countries that require fluency in English only.

What kind of work could I do?

There are a selection of English-speaking jobs common across Europe and further afield. These include seasonal hostel or hotel work, digital nomad / freelance work, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), tour guiding, au pairing and hospitality.

For those with a specific skillset – such as banking or tech – there may be UK companies with offices abroad looking to hire. Alternatively, many foreign businesses use English as their primary language, so while knowledge of another language may help, it may not be essential.

This article will look at three English-speaking jobs popular amongst British nationals and widespread internationally: freelance writing, English tuition and hospitality / catering work.

Freelance Writing

There are a variety of professions that can be carried out on a freelance basis, or remotely. Someone who works online for themselves or for an employer is otherwise known as a Digital Nomad.

Freelancing poses more flexibility than contractual work, as freelancers can commit to as much or as little as they want. Freelancing also allows for work-on-the-side, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to a regular income.

In terms of writing, there are various niches to explore depending upon skillset. Freelance writing can encompass copywriting, blogging and journalism, with commissions ranging from travel to healthcare.

The wider you cast your net, the more opportunities you’ll find; although expertise in a particular industry is useful. Experience of working for a travel agency, for example, may help to land commissions in the tourism sector.

All that’s needed to start up as a freelance writer is a laptop and a solid internet connection – work can be completed at home, at the library or from a cafe. While the lifestyle can pose uncertainty, the versatility that comes with being your own boss is attractive to many.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

Teaching English is arguably the most popular expat career, with consistently high demand.

It’s a vocation attractive to graduates as well as midlife career-changers, offering rewarding work, with reasonable hours and a competitive salary. TEFL can provide the perfect opportunity to travel while supporting professional development.

The official TEFL website offers a comprehensive 120-hour course that teaches the necessary skills– even if candidates have never taught before. There are other recruiters that offer placements with training included on the job. Various agencies offer incentives, including money-off flight vouchers, free accommodation or health insurance packages – so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.

Hospitality / Catering

For anyone looking for work overseas in the catering or hospitality sector, the process needn’t involve mailing CVs or making expensive international phone calls. There are various web platforms that collate job opportunities along with salary information.

Many of the vacancies advertised are with large, multi-national employers who run travel packages and resorts. There are various benefits to working for such an employer: large corporations have greater financial security and can offer perks that smaller businesses may not be able to – such as health insurance and use of fitness equipment.

It’s also possible to find jobs with smaller, privately-run businesses via online advertisements. Websites such as cateringinternational.co.uk and anyworkanywhere.com collate vacancies for anything from chalet hosting to campsite management, while providing a port of call should you have any enquiries.

Adapting to Work Overseas

Working overseas can present a wonderful opportunity to explore a new country without the inevitable expense of being on holiday. Work placements can be 3-12 months, or longer if you intend to stay abroad – by building relationships with overseas employers, you may be able to arrange regular contract work.

If you’re looking to learn a new skill, there are opportunities aplenty – likewise, if you want to continue with your established career, there’s scope for transferring to an overseas provision or working remotely from abroad.

In terms of adapting to the lifestyle – there are thousands of blogs online written by British expats who’ve uprooted their life to work overseas. Using social media, it’s possible to meet likeminded people in a new city or country – if you intend to work on a resort, you’ll likely meet new people without even trying.

Upgrade your work life by switching location and widening your professional circle to include adventurous, international citizens with similar goals and ambitions: make your career the experience of a lifetime.Comments

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