Preparing for International Job Posting

Gone are the halcyon days when "road warriors" and consultants had secretaries for their executive assistants and assistants for their secretaries. Today, somehow, the folks at the sharp end book their own flights and look for their own accommodation. And if you work for yourself, you'll be booking flights on the way to the airport and cell phoning a hotel at the airport! Sometimes, you forget that what you hope will be true is not the same as the reality awaiting you at the other end! There are all kinds of things you need to consider before you fire up your engines for the next task...and, then, more to follow once you're on the road.

Make sure your documents are valid. This includes, at least, 6 months validity left on your passport. Get business visas when needed. Check on the country website and make sure you know! Often, in countries where you don't need a visa to travel, you will need a visa to work. If you are close to an embassy of the country you are going to, it is better to get a visa right there. While airport visas avoid the complexity of going to embassies when you don't live close to one, they can be a hassle upon arrival as most passengers are also lining up to get a regular visa and you are the odd person out. If you have to, prepare the required documentation such as pictures.

Sometimes, they may ask for a letter from your employer stating your assignment in the country and also your address when you are in the country.

Always have 2 passport size photos with you when you are travelling. These are cheap to get in some countries so get more when you happen to be there. In some, you pay less than a dollar. In others, you have to cough up $11. If you have a family of 4, this can be quite a hole in your budget.

Know all you can about the assignment. Have a clear idea of the terms of reference so that you can negotiate the items you are not comfortable with. If you think that there are some areas you don't have the skills in, bring it up so they get the support needed. If its data, check for websites BEFORE you leave home.

Make sure your implementation requirements are budgeted for like for example, there is some local travel money if you are going between work sites. Look for travel allowances if you will be delivering your work in different cities. If there are materials you require, make sure there is a budget for it. If you need to have workshops, get to see how much is allocated.

Read what the country requires of expats who work there.

Prepare a folder for all the requirements and start preparing.

Ascertain the amount for air travel and accommodation. If the assignment is willing to pay only for an economy ticket, then find out your options at this level. This is true of accommodation as well. It is good to know how much living allowance you are entitled to before you book a hotel or rent a place. If you will be in one location for a while, book the hotel for one week and then look for other lodging. You will get amazing savings and you can get a kitchen and laundry, too.

Find out where you will work. What could be more irritating than driving in the midst of traffic for two hours, morning and afternoon, to reach your place of meeting or work? This gets more serious if you have already signed a lease on the place you have decided to stay. Unless, of course, when everything else other than work is in the place you have chosen to stay in. Then, you make some compromises. Groceries, restaurants, schools, parks, safety and key amenities are important consideration depending on your requirements. Even if you have a car, choosing a place closer to work reduces the stress of every day. It is better to first stay at a hotel and look for a more appropriate accommodation once you arrive in the place.

This is often given free by the contracting company or given as an option to purchase from their own provider. This is a must. And don't think only of medical insurance. Think about evacuation. Many things can happen no matter how short your stay is. Check the coverage. Read those tiny boring lines even if you have to use a magnifier. In long stays where your insurance is paid for and not that of your family, sometimes, it is cheaper to buy it in the country you are assigned. Their classification of the country might be cheaper than your own. Ask around. International SOS is big in many countries and reliable, too.

When you are on long work assignment in a particular place, it is good to have your family with you, It can get lonely. There are now many schools in many developing countries that are at par with the schools your kids go to in your own country. Some are even better. This is true of health care as well. But make sure you try hard to make them happy or you will have a nightmare in your hands.

In many countries, it is easy to get help so this can make life easier. Have breaks once in a while to a location they enjoy so life becomes more manageable.