JOB OPPORTUNITIES WORLDWIDE

How about an exciting job overseas? Or even a rather ordinary job overseas? It's
certainly an appealing idea to live and work in a foreign country. Something maybe
everyone considers at some time.

Foreign jobs offer not only an exciting and different lifestyle. Many of them offer work in a warm and sunny country. Many of those countries (but not all) offer wages that are far higher than the U.K. So it could be a good idea!

The purpose of this guide is to summarise the main opportunities in the world at the moment for you to follow up further. It's just intended to be a pointer. You can then go and look in libraries for more detailed information.

DECIDING WHAT YOU CAN DO
Many talented countries will accept people with skills and talents to offer, others are reluctant. For this reason, it's often unrealistic to think of starting a whole new career overseas. It can work, but it's much more difficult.

Hence the best thing is to work within the type of job you already have skills,
experience and qualifications in. This will make job seeking far easier. The effect of this is that you look for an overseas country where your skill is in demand. Not a
country you like and try to fit in! Unfortunate, but this is the best way of doing things.

WORK PERMITS
Most countries will accept foreigners with job skills to offer, but the chances of
getting in vary. Some are eager to attract other foreigners, some discourage them.
Before even looking for a job overseas, find out if a work visa and permit is needed. And, not just that, but if there is any realistic chance of getting one.

Virtually every country has an embassy in London, and they usually public a sheet
giving details of requirements.Subsequently, a telephone call to the embassy will find out if the chances of being accepted are realistic.

Most, but not yet all, EEC countries do not require U.K. citizens to have entry visas or work permits. So you can go and live there without consent. The catch is that you will still need a residence permit, so check the chances of getting one.

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION
After using this guide, you still need to go and get more information. The availability of information varies as to countries.

Some countries publish information bulletins on jobs in their countries, available from embassies. Others don't, but you can always ask for help.

Failing that, try libraries and bookshops.
Most of the better known countries have books, lesser ones don't. You may have to
adapt the ideas from tour guides in some cases.

In some countries there are specialist books to help you.

AROUND THE WORLD
The main point of this guide is to give you a quick pointer to the countries of the world so that you can select one.

This is as follows, and provides a pointer for you to follow to the countries with some openings, few or many. Countries not listed generally have none or very, very few.

EUROPE
Belgium - Good potential. Good pay. Opportunities can be limited.
Denmark - Good pay. High taxes. English widely spoken. Good for professional jobs.
France - Very high pay. Modest taxes. Different culture. Jobs limited.
W. Germany - Very high pay. Can be double U.K. Highish taxes. High standard of living.
Needs technical/skilled people.
Greece - Low standard of living but great culture and weather. Opportunities growing
slowly. Pay low.
Italy - More advanced than generally known.Some technical jobs available. North better.
Holland - Small country. Unemployment has been a problem. Few opportunities.
Portugal - Slowly developing country. Good weather. Cheap housing & prices. Low wages.
Spain - Fast developing. Excellent weather, social life. Still cheap. Wages acceptable.

MIDDLE EAST
In the past it has been a popular place for overseas living and working due to the oil industry. This is receding slightly and there are fewer people going. The heat, and the often restricted social life, are the main reasons. But wages are still very high.

Most opportunities are for men, virtually none for women. These are mostly technical
and engineering, usually for employers in the U.K., which is the best way to get them.

The best countries to work in are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates (UEA) states.

Countries to be avoided include Iran, Iraq and Libya.

Egypt is interesting, but poor. Jordan is much underestimated.

AFRICA
Kenya - One of the most developed African countries. Needs skilled staff. Wages and
living conditions are good for this continent.
Nigeria - A more prosperous African country. Jobs in oil. Attractive wages. Expensive
and unappealing to live in.
S. Africa - Richest African country. Good jobs available. Not as well paid as was.
Political troubles.
Zambia - Rather underrated. Technical and agricultural jobs available. A little
backward.
Zimbabwe - Now starting to develop. Moreadvanced than most. A few jobs available.

NORTH AMERICA
Canada - Offers good potential for U.K. citizens seeking work in virtually every
sphere as in U.K. High wages and good standard of living. Takes many immigrants
yearly, but quite difficult to get to. Get details from authorities.
U.S.A. - Very high standard of living. Good wages, but nowadays difficult to get a visa to work there. Best way is to get a job with a U.S. firm with a base in U.K. and then get transferred, or a U.K. firm with an office in the U.S.A.

CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA
Most of the Central and South American countries will accept foreign immigrants
without too much trouble. Many skills are in demand. The main snag is that wages are generally low, even for good jobs. Living conditions range from poor to satisfactory, depending on the country.

The best places to work in are the Caribbean Islands. After that, countries like Mexico and Brazil. Central American countries are generally to be avoided.

ASIA
Generally a much underrated area for immigration. Often standards of living are
quite good and jobs are generally available for skilled and semi-skilled people. Wages are generally low.

There are particular places that offer the best potential and the best standards of living for foreigners. These are principally Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore, and perhaps the Phillipines. Hong Kong has problems regarding it's future.

Japan is good, but difficult for foreigners to find suitable work in.

AUSTRALASIA
Australia - Generally one of the best places to move to. Good wages. Good standard of
living. Many immigrants are taken in, but it is quite difficult to qualify. Get
details from the authorities in London.
It's not as easy as it seems. A complex system to gain admission is used.

New Zealand - A good alternative to Australia, but offers less money and a
slower pace. Some jobs not required, but some professionals are in demand. Generally
attractive though.

Papua New Guinea - A small country, but rather underrated for immigrants. Some well
paid jobs are available and these are sometimes advertised in the U.K. Not the
most advanced country though.

Other South Pacific islands offer interesting, if remote, opportunities for
people, especially in local administration, government etc.