Working in the business sector in business services abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?
Working in the business sector in business services abroad: what, why, and where?
- What is working in a company or in the business industry abroad like?
- What are the reasons for working in a company or in the business industry abroad?
- What skills and motivations do you need to work in a company or in the business sector abroad?
- What are the best countries and locations to work in a company or in the business industry abroad?
- What are the risks of working in a company or in the business industry abroad, and are you insured against those risks?
What is working in a company or in the business industry abroad like?
- Responsibilities: Working in the business services sector abroad usually means working in an office environment or in a sector that supports companies in their activities. This can range from the international offices of multinationals to small local startups or non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Some of the work you might be doing:
- Administration and support: back office, data entry, planning, secretarial work.
- Customer service and sales: call centers, customer contact, account management.
- Consultancy and advice: HR, marketing, financial, or legal advice. IT & digital services: software development, support, online marketing.
- Management and coordination: project management, business development.
- Working conditions: Depending on your background and the country, these can involve entry-level positions, traineeships, or specialist positions. When you work for an NGO, it is often volunteer work with or without a volunteer allowance.
- Don’t expect on-site accommodation anytime soon. However, some companies sometimes offer staff apartments/dorms.
- Salaries vary greatly by country and sector. In Western Europe and North America, the salaries are higher than in Southern Europe, Asia, or Latin America.
- Perks! Yes, sometimes you get perks, especially at large companies. Expat packages can include housing, health insurance, relocation allowance, or a company car.
- Often permanent or long-term contracts; but temporary projects or traineeships are also possible.
- Working hours are usually office hours (9 to 5), sometimes even 6 days a week. Consulting or project work can mean longer days and weekend work.
- More about specific sub-sectors:
What are the reasons for working in a company or in the business industry abroad?
- To gain international work experience: a great boost for your resume; companies value international experience and intercultural collaboration.
- To practice your professional language and improve your communication: you will improve your English (or another language) and learn how business etiquette works in other cultures. This also helps with better collaboration.
- To learn about local business culture: each country has specific business customs. In some countries, dinners and building relationships are very important, while in others, it's more about getting to the point and efficiency.
- To network for the rest of your career: you will build an international network that can open doors later.
- To develop personally: learning to deal with new systems, different work cultures, and different expectations makes you flexible and resilient.
- To embark on an adventure: working in a new environment often means a completely different way of life. This requires some courage.
- To gain self-confidence: Working in a new, professional environment can be quite demanding, and although you will face challenges, it can certainly give you a lot of self-confidence afterward.
What skills and motivations do you need to work in a company or in the business sector abroad?
- Awareness of surroundings: wherever you work, you will always have to be mindful of your surroundings. Every country has their own rules and customs that you will have to adhere to, to some extent.
- Resilience to stress: Working for a professional company can mean working in a fairly fast-paced environment. Lots of changes, responsibilities, new people, and rules. Being able to handle stress can be a significant advantage.
- Communication: Knowledge of the local language and/or English is often essential.
- Professionalism: Working for a company or in business services often means professional attire, professional language, and a certain level of communication.
- Flexibility: Working in a new culture requires considerable flexibility and cultural sensitivity.
- Collaboration: Being able to collaborate, or learning to collaborate, with local managers, owners, and employees is essential!
What are the best countries and locations to work in a company or in the business industry abroad?
- Europe: Many opportunities in London, Dublin, Berlin, and Lisbon for IT, finance, marketing, and consultancy.
- Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are international hubs for finance, trade, and digital services.
- Latin America: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil have growing markets for administration, IT, and business services.
- Africa: South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg) attracts many companies and startups in consultancy and marketing.
What are the risks of working in a company or in the business industry abroad, and are you insured against those risks?
- What are the risks of working in a company or in the business industry abroad?
- Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance. If local employers offer insurance, it often doesn't cover the private sector.
- There might be a risk of diseases if you move to disease prone countries.
- There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad. Check the following pages: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.
