Working abroad

The travel, the glamour, the sun, the responsibility - all these are reasons given by people in hospitality who have worked abroad. They are usually cited as the perks of working in the industry, so take advantage of them. But be aware that deciding to work outside the UK involves a lot of research and preparation before you go, as well as adjusting to a new home and work life when you arrive.

Think of your career

The first decision to make is whether your stint abroad is a short-term (three to 24 months) goal, or an essential part of an international career path. If it's short-term, there are plenty of opportunities in ski and holiday resorts running small hotels or on cruise lines at a variety of levels, from waiters to supervisors. You can approach ski companies and tour operators directly. Be aware that this may be a stepping stone to further things, but is not generally regarded as the start of a high flying international career.

If it's a career in the international field you're after, then consider your current position. At a three-star provincial hotel your opportunities to move internationally could be restricted. Consider moving to an international hotel company first. There are two benefits: one is that the company itself may offer you a transfer; and the second is that, even if it doesn't, at least it's a known commodity that will help your potential employers judge your abilities. "It is about risk management from the employers' point of view," says Nick Metcalfe, director at recruitment consultants the Chess Partnership. "The employer has to be fairly certain about success with the costs involved in recruiting overseas."

Where do you want to go?

The next major decision to be made is where you want to work. The days of postings in the Far East to Singapore and Hong Kong have largely fallen by the wayside, although some opportunities still exist. Now the Middle East, China, former Communist countries and South America are in need of expat experience. Not all will be for everyone. Someone with a young family may think twice about emigrating to China, while for a single person it may be the ideal challenge. It is important at this stage to research the geographical area you are most interested in. Consider factors such as will the climate suit you? Can you really take 40ºC heat every day? For parents or employees with partners, consider whether the area is appropriate for your family. Can your partner work there too? Are there particular restrictions on your personal freedoms? For example, there are stern drinking laws in Muslim countries and women can't drive in Saudi Arabia.

Be aware that outside Europe your contract at most companies will require you to work six days a week. You may already work six days in the UK, but chances are it is not written into a contract, whereas the six contractual days abroad leave only one day free for leisure.

• Check out Web sites for information about jobs, salaries and cultural expectations of the country you are going to.
• The culture sections of travel guides will usually give you a clear picture of what to expect.
• Visit tourist offices for information about the country you're thinking of. They're sure to give you the sugar-coated version, but will offer valuable facts, too.
• Travel agents may have old copies of the Worldwide Hotel Directory, which contains useful information on what hotels are where and lists telephone and fax numbers for them.
• Get written references from former employers - overseas employers prefer these to verbal references.
• Write to the most senior figure, not the human resources director - the general manager will have to take action upon receiving a letter.

Who do you want to work for?

Once you've thought about which destinations are appropriate, think about which employer is for you. Again, research is the key. Look up Web sites on countries you're considering for basic information. Ask colleagues for recommendations, look for articles in magazines, and go to the library to look for further reference books.

Metcalfe recommends looking for a well-known name that will offer training and develop your career. Recruitment consultants can obviously help you find what is available, but you can also write to companies yourself. Target the general manager with a letter, CV, photograph and references.

It may even pay to take a trip to the country you are thinking of moving to. If, for example, Dubai is a consideration, April-June and September-October are quieter months and air fares are relatively cheap. Consider sending CVs first, following up with phone calls and arranging appointments with interested employers. This will also give you the opportunity to see what the city or town is like and get an idea about the cost of living and lifestyle. How much is a loaf of bread? How far would you live from where you work? Will the £1,000 rent that the company is offering be enough to meet your standard-of-living expectations?

If you opt for a privately owned company, Regitze Von Lowzow, senior consultant at recruitment consultants Portfolio, recommends you find out about its corporate culture. "Private companies can have very different ways of operating - there may be an interfering owner that can dramatically affect your ability to do your job well," she says.

When being interviewed for the post, it's always worth asking why it's vacant - you don't want the job that three people in 18 months have just left. If your prospective employers have nothing to hide, they'll be upfront about it.

How much money can I make?

One of the great myths about working abroad concerns the amount of money that can be made. Times have changed, and salaries abroad are not what they once were.

In countries in Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean a salary-plus package is usually offered. A standard package usually includes accommodation, flights to the job, a flight home once a year (can be once every two years in Asia), transport to and from work, local medical costs, laundry costs, meals on duty and possibly off duty if accommodation is provided too.

Do not expect to earn a gross salary that is higher than the gross salary in the UK. The package is worth about 50% more than the actual salary quoted. For example, a food and beverage manager on £30,000 gross in the UK will expect to take home £22,000. Assuming food, accommodation and travel costs of about £15,000, he or she will be lucky to have £7,000 per year to spend on personal goods. In Dubai that same manager could earn £18,000 gross, but food, accommodation and travel will all be taken care of and there will be no tax. Effectively, the manager has £11,000 more to spend per year than in the UK. It is the equivalent of a £40,000-£50,000 gross salary in Britain.

But some countries are just not offering enough money for the type of employee they are looking for, says Liz Clifton, sales and marketing specialist at Berkeley Scott. "The Europeans have high expectations of people but they do not always offer a pay packet that matches," she says.

Employees need to make sure that the salary they are being offered is enough to cover their living costs and that any contributions being made by their employer will be adequate, says Clifton.

Work visas

The major key to working abroad is usually a work visa. This shouldn't be a problem if you have a bona fide job with a known employer. Your involvement in getting the visa will vary depending on the company you are going to work for and the country. Working for a chain in China, Asia, the Middle East or the Caribbean usually involves you sending 20-odd passport photos, a signed contract and a copy of your passport to your new employer and they do the rest, says Von Lowzow. Taking a job with an independent local company abroad may mean you need to queue up at the appropriate embassy. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are notoriously hard to get visas for, but others, like the USA, are making it easier for qualified applicants for certain jobs, such as those in food and beverage. Watch out for those with particularly strict medical requirements. Bermuda, for example, requires a general medical, a full chest x-ray, a letter from your local doctor and personal as well as employers' references.

Before you go

Arranging your affairs at home before you leave it important as sorting out your new life when you get there.Click here for a quick checklist of things you need to sort out

Taking stock

Once you're away from the UK it could be easy to get lost in the exotic location, but don't lose track of the reasons you went in the first place, warns Metcalfe. Take stock of your job and whether it is giving you what you wanted. Make sure you are getting the development you want and that your current employer can give you that development. Look ahead to the next year in the job and ensure it will be challenging enough. Overseas it is more crucial to do this evaluation, because if you become labelled as the Africa or Middle East person it may be difficult to change direction later on.

When you're ready to come back, be aware it may not be as easy to slot back in as you think. Employers in the UK may not have a full understanding of your life abroad and might envisage sun, sand and sangria by the pool rather than the long hours you have put in.

"Experience gained overseas has traditionally been undervalued by UK employers, as it is usually perceived that the benefits of international exposure are outweighed by the detrimental effects of losing touch with the realities of the home market," says Clifton.

Don't expect the same salaries when you return, and be prepared for the UK market to have changed in your absence.

More information

Follow the links at the top of the page for more information of working in specific areas of the globe.