Working abroad: sea, sand, ski and safari
You've finished your college course and now you're desperate for a change from lectures and dreary British weather. Hospitality offers a fantastic opportunity for you to take the skills you've learned and use them abroad. You don't have to plan your entire career before you go. Working a season in a ski resort could be the perfect chance to have fun, but also to learn something that will be useful when you look for work back in the UK.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>
Four of the most common and popular ways for young people to experience working abroad are on a cruise ship, at a holiday resort, at a ski resort and at a safari lodge.
Ski fanatics usually head for the slopes in Europe, while those who are keen on water sports and summer sun should find it quite easy to get work in a Mediterranean country.
"Employers sometimes view working a season as time out, but it is more serious than that. You pick up skills and you have responsibilities," points out Regitze von Lowzow, principal consultant at recruitment consultants Portfolio International.
Harder work is life on board a cruise ship, but there are some good perks and the pay isn't bad either. It's also likely to stand you in good stead when you return, as others in hospitality recognise your efforts.
"If you've worked seven days a week for a six-month contract and you've done three contracts, you've got what it takes. For chefs, there's also the element of mass production of food to four- and five-star levels and in the restaurant, waiters are doing silver service. Few hotels in the UK who are looking for staff for quality operations would turn you down with that experience," says George Robertson, general manager Europe and the Middle East for cruise recruitment specialists CTI UK.
Less common is the chance to work at a safari lodge in Africa, but when you have more experience, it could be something to try in later years.
"Everything in Africa is much more difficult and challenging from a hotel perspective. If you can work there, you can work anywhere because you've proved to yourself and others you can do the job," says George Crossland, managing director of marketing representation company Africa Reps.
Getting started
Do some research on the Internet to find out who operates where. If you've heard of a good company, have a look at their Web site. Ask around at your college or while on work placements to see who the best employers are. Contact recruitment agencies to discover what is available.
Check out our job section for international vacancies. Ski operators advertise particularly in August and September, while the summer resorts start looking in January for that summer. There may even be some posts open during the season so keep your eyes open. With the exception of firms operating in Africa, most of the companies mentioned here recruit staff at junior levels.
You need to make sure that you're the right age. For ski and summer resorts you'll need to be at least 18 years old, sometimes older depending on the job. Cruise ships prefer staff to be more than 21.
When you have reached a decision, find out as much as you can about the destination and the company you will be working for.
Considerations before you go
For European work you need a current EU passport and a British national insurance number. British nationals shouldn't have too much trouble getting visas, but if you're from another EU country or from outside the EU and studying here, it may take longer. Most foreign embassies have tightened their visa application procedures recently.
Anyone working on a cruise ship that passes through a US port will need a multiple entry visa for the USA. The American embassy isn't taking personal callers and postal applications can take up to 21 days, according to Robertson at CTI UK. That said, most consultants will help you through the process when the time comes.
If you need to drive, it might be worth obtaining an International Driving Permit before you leave. You may also need further driving qualifications for the job.
Check your work contract carefully. Look at clauses relating to bonuses, medical examinations and what happens if you leave before the end of the contract.
Go over your medical insurance - some require frequent medical check-ups before they are valid. Make sure you're covered for water sports or winter sports if necessary.
Find out if the employer will bear the cost of your return to the UK in an emergency.
Don't judge the salary at face value. In most cases your living accommodation will be provided for you, as well as many if not all, meals. It's a good idea to work out the cost of living before you start going to interviews. Then you can work out just how much you'll be putting in the bank.
Check if tips are guaranteed - as in the case of many cruise ships now - and if you are likely to get additional voluntary tips.
Seek tax advice. This could help you avoid paying tax unnecessarily. Also ask what happens when you return. Coming back in the wrong month could leave you liable for UK taxes unless you leave again fairly quickly. The Inland Revenue can help you, as can an accountant.
Ask a financial adviser for information on pensions and national insurance contributions.
When you come back
Spare a thought for when you come back and make sure you have a plan. Use the Internet to research companies and look for potential jobs. Try to set up some interviews for your first week back.
How you sell yourself and your time away could make the difference. You want a prospective employer to believe you've developed as a person and not just had six months' holiday skiing in France.
Von Lowzow at Portfolio International advises candidates to be specific about what their job involved on their CV. "I want to know how many staff you've been responsible for, or how many tables in your restaurant section. If you've organised activities, explain your role and how many people took part. These are qualities that will transfer to your new job, and that's what employers look for," she says.
Make the most of the front of house and organisational skills you'll have developed dealing with guests and planning activities. These are vital for the hospitality industry wherever you are, and employers will appreciate them.
Working on cruise ships is recognised as a tough stint with its seven-day week, so you may find a hotel or restaurant will offer you a step up the career ladder when you've got cruise experience under your belt.
One big problem for those coming back is the change in lifestyle. You've been chilling out in the sun or snow and all of a sudden it's raining and you're working in a dark kitchen. For those who have been away longer, it can be difficult to understand how your friends' lives may not have changed much, while you've been exploring the world and meeting lots of new people. Remember that things may well be more expensive here and salaries are unlikely to be the same.
On the whole, working a season or three is regarded as part of your personal development, rather like travelling around the world. From an employers' perspective it's better because you're actually learning and developing.
A final word of caution. You may have been your own boss abroad, running the chalet your way, but you'll probably have to follow orders when you get back to the UK, so be prepared to be flexible.
