Whether you love to travel, yearn to see the world or simply need to get out of the country until “things cool off,” these international jobs might be the perfect cure for your jet-set itch. Grab your passport and take a look at some of the most in-demand careers around the world.
10 Overseas Jobs
From financial experts to skilled trades, these international careers offer options for a range of skills. Take a look at these intriguing international jobs, with salary conversations to U.S. dollars as of June 2011:
1. Foreign exchange dealer and broker, Singapore: There are plenty of reasons to visit Singapore — beaches, shopping, strict chewing-gum laws — but their yearly wages are certainly one of the more persuasive arguments. These financial professionals earned $169,764 USD in 2010, according to a survey by Salary.com. English is an official language, making it easier for foreigners to work in the community.
2. Petroleum engineer, Norway: Do you have a degree in engineering? Do you know what marzipan is? If so, you are halfway to an enjoyable career in Norway. Minimum wage in this northern nation is £10 an hour ($16.40 USD) compared to £5.73 ($9.39) in the United Kingdom, The Mirror reports. Working on local oil rigs isn’t the most romantic job, but it certainly pays well. Many U.S. oil companies send their skilled workers to jobs on-site in Norway.
3. Systems analyst, France: Companies like Michelin and Yoplait have a strong presence in France and a high potential need for trained U.S. workers. The high-tech systems analyst job earned French workers between €67 and €72 ($96,794 – $104,018) in 2011, according to GlassDoor.com. With this career, you could find yourself waist-deep in spending cash to use on stylish berets.
4. Plumber, Australia: Skilled trades have a worldwide appeal. You might think that Crocodile Dundee re-enactors would be the most in-demand Australian profession, but in truth, jobs for plumbers may be the key to career happiness down under. The Australian website MyCareer.com.au reports that in March 2011, plumbers in Australia earned average wages of $93,061.
5. Manufacturing and logistics manager, France: Relaxing by the Champs-Elysees with a glass of wine might be a national pastime, but the French are serious about their careers as well. France boasted average hourly manufacturing compensation costs of $40.08 in 2009 — compared to $33.53 in the U.S. — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. A growing manufacturing sector can help boost wages.
6. English teacher, Japan: Programs like JET give graduates a chance to see the world while boosting their work experience. While the cost of living in Japan is high, English instructors may be able to pay off student loans, travel throughout Japan and even attend graduate school.
7. Advertising agency account executive, United Kingdom: An increasingly specialized advertising sector is said to be the cause for healthy wage reports in the field, and U.S. workers can provide a new perspective on sales. U.K. job site Job is Job lists a salary range in London of £25,000 to £28,000 per year ($40,965 to $45,880 USD) .
8. Salesman, China: A locally impressive 10,000 Yuan ($1,543 USD) per month or more is available to talented salesmen in China, according to AT0086.com. In a typical Chinese company, each member of the sales team drives a better car than the manager.
9. U.S. Embassy representative, United Kingdom: Mind the gap — the wage gap, that is. The U.K. boasts a lower unemployment rate than the U.S., between 2009 and 2011. As a result, internships and full-time positions at local embassies might be easier to come across.
10. Computer software developer, China: A booming tech sector featuring 200 million hardware devices means that Chinese software developers can often profit to the tune of 50,000 Yuan ($7,716) yearly, AT0086.com reports. Of course, you’ll need to know the language and enjoy Peking duck, the national food.
Export your knowledge overseas
Many of the jobs above require prior education and a formal degree. Your knowledge of English and American culture may also work to your benefit. Once you narrow down your career and country of choice, you’ll also want to find out what the work visa requirements are in your country of choice for non-citizen workers.
