Work Permits and Resumes for the International Job Search

A work permit grants a person the legal right to work in a country other than his or her country of citizenship. Each country has its own policies and regulations governing the granting of these permits. Most countries stipulate one or more of the following conditions for a work permit:

if you are already in the country, you must exit, apply through a consular office outside the country, and re-enter under your new status
an employer must sign one or more documents certifying that a native citizen could not be found to do the job
you must provide written documentation of your job offer from your employer, including starting and stopping dates of employment

Gaining permission to work legally outside the US is a major obstacle for those wishing to work abroad (or for non-US citizens who want to work here). Check with the country's embassy in the US for details on how to apply for a permit, and how long it will take.

While you are still a student or recent graduate, you can bypass this obstacle by going abroad through a youth exchange organization, or study abroad or internship program.

The International Resume

First, prepare a resume compatible with standards in the US. Make sure to emphasize your language skills and any previous international experience. Consult with your language professors here at Cornell, or a native of the country you're targeting, for advice on how to translate your resume into the language and standards of that country. When sending your resume to employers, send both copies-- one in English in US format, and one in the target country's language with appropriate modifications. You may wish to send two copies of your cover letter as well.

Preparing for the Unexpected

Even when you're living and working in a country or city you know well, unexpected situations can find you unprepared. Abroad, you may be far from the people you would normally turn to for help. Before you go, make sure you have:

current health insurance coverage, as well as your plan's instructions on how to handle a health emergency outside the US
a ticket home
sufficient funds to cover expenses for a month or two
a xerox copy of your passport i.d. page and all relevant credit card and traveler check numbers (for replacement purposes)
the local phone number of the US Embassy

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