Internal Transfers
Many multinational corporations provide the way for employees to take up overseas job opportunities in logistics, so it pays to keep an eye on vacant positions in your own company. You can also do a job search for international logistic jobs in the country you are particularly interested. For example, by simply searching on 'logistic jobs Australia' you will quickly find companies advertising the sorts of positions you are interested in.
Benefits to Career Progression
Not only can they give you valuable international experience, overseas jobs can look great on your resume. They can set you up for the next career progression and push you ahead of your contemporaries who have stayed at home. You may be given opportunities to evaluate current activities then plan and implement improvements. This can move you beyond a basic procurement and logistics role to one with a greater decision making capacity.
Job Search Using Online Job Sites
You can find job opportunities in logistics using online job sites. You may find international jobs on specialist logistics and procurement job sites as well as on the large generalist job sites. However, you are far more likely to find the sorts of jobs you are looking for by searching for 'overseas jobs logistics'. You will find job boards, which specialize in international jobs and will be able to search on these sites for logistics and procurement positions.
Employer Websites
If you already know of corporations, which offer international logistic jobs, you may want to contact them directly. Visit their websites and check out their job vacancies. Sometimes you can get lucky and find just the right position advertised. However, corporations will often have a policy in place, which stipulates that overseas jobs must be internal transfers. You can discover company policy by talking to the human resource department. It may be worth your while to apply for an interim position, which would qualify you for an overseas transfer.
Newspaper Advertisements
Don't forget old fashioned newspaper advertisements. You may have noticed employment advertisements for different types of positions in Dubai, for example. These are often seen in newspapers, not only in the employment section but also in the main parts of newspapers. However, jobs in the Middle East are not the only ones advertised in the print media. You will often find jobs from all over the world advertised in the United States. So remember to regularly, browse the major papers.
Recruitment Companies
There are recruitment companies that specialize in overseas jobs. If you are seriously considering international logistic jobs, these agencies can make the whole process easy. They negotiate with the employer on your behalf and set up phone or Skype interviews. They will help you get all the required paperwork completed and guide you through each step in the process. Obtaining work through an agency or as an internal transfer can take a lot of stress out of relocating to fill an overseas position.
Choose Carefully
However, as with any job choice, an international job needs to be chosen carefully if you want it to benefit your career. Choosing a position based on sun, surf and social life may provide you with a working holiday but it won't help you make a name for yourself in global logistics. You will gain the most benefit from working overseas if you take the time upfront to research opportunities, and work out how these can fit into your career plan.
Research the Country and Culture
It is also important to research the country you are interested in working in to avoid embarrassment. For example, if you are looking for 'logistic jobs Australia' you would likely be working in a city much like those in the United States. You won't see kangaroos hopping down the main streets and the locals will be as civilized as Americans. Many an unwary American has been ridiculed by asking Australians if they have refrigerators, supermarkets, and universities or by congratulating them on speaking English well (confusing them with Austrians).
Be Prepared
You will still need to meet the specific selection criteria for an overseas position, so before you actively begin your job search, make sure you have the qualifications, experience, and skills you are likely to need. To work overseas, you will also need to be flexible and sensitive to different cultures. Remember, that even if you are planning to work in a country, which has English as its main language, there are differences in meaning which can cause problems. It pays to respond a little more slowly than you would normally do and to ask questions to clarify meaning.
If you approach your job search for international logistic jobs wisely and ensure your resume and letters of application are professional and target the position, you will give yourself the best possible chance of obtaining a job interview. Even if the interviews are by phone or Internet, you can conduct yourself professionally while still being relaxed and friendly. As long as you can demonstrate that you have the skills, abilities, and experience the employer is looking for, you're in with a shot.
