If you’re looking to move abroad but want to keep a government job or become a government worker, there are plenty of opportunities out there. Working for your home government overseas is a great way of securing employment abroad and not having to worry about securing workplace visas.
So how can you get a job abroad as a government worker and why is it a great option for many? Let’s dive in and find out more.
Why Work Abroad as a Government Worker?
First things first, why should you work abroad as a government worker? Well, there are a couple of great reasons. Primarily, the wages for government workers tend to be very good, as are the benefits like 401k and medical which would extend overseas unless you’re somewhere with socialized healthcare.
It’s also a great way to secure a job overseas without having to hunt for a job that comes with visa sponsorship. Government jobs often have their own visa tracks that are expedited to keep diplomatic relations running smoothly.
Look, you don’t need to be a spy or a diplomat to be a government worker abroad. For example, the UK Foreign Office employs 17,300 staff, and two-thirds of those are working overseas.
This includes everything from admin functions to accounting, legal, HR, and more. Essentially, anything you’d have in a regular business will be accounted for in a government department.
At the moment, being a government worker in the US also has benefits like student loan repayment and forgiveness schemes, so it can be a huge bonus if you’re fresh out of college or looking to cut down your debt.
How to Get Jobs Abroad For Government Workers
So, how do you get jobs abroad as a government worker? Well, like any internal office move, you need to persuade your bosses that you’re the right fit for an overseas post.
Here are my top tips for getting that dream government position abroad.
I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
Don’t Underestimate Language Skills
You need to make sure you speak the primary language of your target country. If you want to work in the US embassy in Barcelona, you need to speak Spanish. It’s a non-negotiable. In fact, some job posts and visas may require that you speak the language to a formula level like A2 or B1.
Just because you’re working for your home government doesn’t mean you’ll always speak your language. You’ll have to deal with locals, other governments, and local businesses to get things done.
Language skills matter. If you’re planning on applying for a position overseas, start working on a second language now. You’ll also need to speak it, so maybe leave Duolingo at the wayside…
Show Your Love of the Culture
When you’re trying to get a government job overseas, you need to demonstrate a love of the culture. If you want to work in France but know nothing of the history or culture (looking at you, Emily in Paris) you’re unlikely to get the job. The government wants you to hit the ground running, make a good impression, and show enthusiasm for your new home.
This is important for a few different reasons. You’ll be building relationships with government workers in your new country, so showing that you’re aware of culture and customs is a huge bonus. After all, you don’t want to accidentally offend your overseas counterpart on day one!
You can show this with any trips or experiences you’ve had in the target country. This can be vacations, familial links, obsessions with the wider culture, degree or course selections that are relevant, and more. Add it all in!
Highlight Any Veteran Service
In the US, you have Veterans Preference for federal jobs if you’ve been in the military. This is a huge bonus, especially if you’ve toured overseas or been posted to a foreign base. Mainly, this shows that you can deal with cultural clashes and adapt to new environments quickly.
Moving abroad is an intense experience, so already having done this in a high-stress environment can be a big tick in the box.
It’s also worth mentioning if you’re a military spouse as you now also have federal job preference. While your spouse was in the military, you were likely moving around with them, adapting to the culture, and finding a place for yourself while they were serving, which shows great transferable skills.
Show Any Work Abroad or Study Abroad Experience
Similar to military experience, if you’ve already worked or studied abroad, you need to highlight this in your application. This is a great experience and shows that you can deal with being away from friends and family, adapt to new cultures, and assimilate with the local way of life.
Many people think that living abroad is the dream – and in the long run, it is. However, in the short term, moving abroad can be mentally and emotionally very challenging. Even if you move somewhere that has a similar culture to your own, there are still points of difference that can be frustrating and isolating.
Demonstrating that you’ve already been through this process and are willing to do it again shows that you can handle the pressures that lie ahead!
Figure Out Your USP
As with any job application, you need to find your USP or unique selling point. Especially in light of recent election events, many government workers are looking to transfer to an overseas position, so you need to figure out why you’re a better fit than they are.
Even if you’re going for your exact job overseas, you need to highlight why you’d be an asset in that particular office. That’s where things like cultural and study-abroad experiences come in handy.
If you don’t have those, focus on your interpersonal skills and how good you are at relationship building, networking, and working with external stakeholders. These skills are invaluable in overseas government jobs and can help you bridge the gap.
A great way to figure out your USP is to write down everything you do in a given week – even the little menial tasks. Then analyze the list and work out how these can be beneficial in the new role. It’s an awesome exercise because your USP might be something you do so often that you take it for granted!
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Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.