An ever changing and challenging marketplace has led to increased pressure on candidates to take stock and re-examine the criteria in their quest to develop and progress their career. An increasingly attractive and feasible option is for candidates to explore opportunities in the international market. So, what is the attraction for lawyers to work overseas and how should you position yourself as a candidate?
More often than not, a spell abroad during an employee’s career enhances the employability of that individual because they are usually able to develop distinct technical and personal skills. Organisations looking to expand internationally generally have a call for employees with the flexibility to work abroad as the need arises.
It’s essential that candidates do their due diligence and find the right location for them both personally and professionally.
On the whole the experience can be a very fruitful one for the individuals’ personal development – experiencing a new culture, improved living conditions, and different work ethos and environment. All of these can improve overall job satisfaction and motivation.
One of the more tangible benefits is financial. Some companies offer inflated salaries, relocation packages and living allowances as well as investment in professional development. Employees in international markets such as Switzerland and the Cayman Islands also enjoy tax benefits along with other expatriate advantages.
However, candidates vying for international jobs should know that the best roles in the best locations are highly competitive and employers look for several key criteria when hiring from an international pool:
- Excellent qualifications, training and technical experience
- Appropriate language skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Cultural awareness
- Cross jurisdiction experience
Dependant on your legal skills, experience, specialism and preferred location, there are a number of countries which may be attractive to potential international lawyers – Brussels for competition, Switzerland for pharmaceuticals and Cayman Islands for corporate finance. It’s essential that candidates do their due diligence and find the right location for them both personally and professionally.
To ‘brand’ themselves as international lawyers candidates should make sure they undertake comprehensive research, not only on the role and the company but also on the area they will be relocating to, any associated costs, visas and social aspects. Candidates should exploit their existing network, speak to colleagues who have previously worked abroad or currently do so and seek advice from recruitment consultancies specialising in international placements to get a fuller picture of all that is involved.
If you have recently moved abroad with work and have any advice to impart feel free to share it here in the comment section below…..
