Want To Work Abroad? These 5 International Companies Are Hiring
In This Article
Key Takeaways
-
Taboola, Audible, Asana, Google, and Hyatt are all companies that offer the opportunity to work abroad.
Each company has a different focus or area of expertise.
There are many reasons to consider working for an international company, including the chance to live in a different country and experience a new culture.
Before you start your job search, it’s important to figure out your priorities and what you want from a position.
If you're considering working for a US company abroad, understand the complexities and benefits involved.
Once you’ve landed a job with a company that hires Americans to work abroad, there are several practical steps you’ll need to take.
Wish you could work abroad? The truth is that it’s hard to mix wanderlust and a traditional job. For every remote worker embracing a flexible lifestyle in Paris, London, Tokyo, or Dubai, many people are scrolling longingly through travel photos from their office cubicles back home.
Maybe your desire to travel is so strong that you want to become a digital nomad. Before you ditch company insurance and retirement accounts for a freer life, the good news is that some companies are hiring Americans to work abroad.
Keep in mind that hiring is just the first step. You’ll need to follow the legal process such as visa requirements and taxes for working abroad in a particular country.
Why You Should Consider Working for a Company with International Offices
When we’re adults, our responsibilities can clash with our desires. For example, someone who craves travel, new cultures, and new experiences might find themselves stuck at a stationary job in an office or service industry that saps the life out of them to pay the bills and keep the lights on.
This dissonance in a work-life balance can make people miss their college days or thirst for experiences that they never had. Maybe you miss your study abroad adventures where you had the opportunity to live in a different country, on a different continent, and experience the excitement and variety of a different culture.
Whether you miss your gap year adventures or want the opportunity to start making these kinds of memories, it’s never too late to live and work overseas by working for a global company.
It’s no secret that this can be a daunting process. Slogging through job applications proves overwhelming and time-consuming even if you’re looking at companies State-side.
That’s why it’s helpful to concentrate on US companies that have international offices. You might even find that some companies offer higher pay to work overseas, provide a common office work culture that’s familiar when you move to a new location, or allow you to take a company promotion or move laterally within the company ranks.
Most top-rated US companies that hire to work abroad are international giants that usually have a handful of positions open for hire at any time. Depending on your field of work, experience, language skills, or cultural intelligence, you may prove a good fit for a work abroad position.
When searching for US companies with global bases, you might even find a remote job that will let you work from home and save up some cash before moving abroad.
Before you hit the job search, it’s important to lay out some ground rules. Figure out your priorities, from location and job type to pay scale.
While some companies might have jobs in multiple countries to choose from, others may have limited overseas options. That’s why it’s crucial to figure out what you want to do and where you prefer to do it. Then narrow your search to those fields. You can always expand the job hunt later based on your priorities and parameters.
It’s a good idea to contact your professional networks to gather first-hand data about what it’s like to work abroad and their experience in particular companies that you’re interested in working for.
Keep in mind that it’s not as easy as getting hired and packing your bags. When you’ve narrowed your country search or are working at landing the perfect job, there are several important practical steps that you’ll need to take to make your dreams a legal reality. Most countries have specific visa regulations that you need to understand.
Research everything about visas and work permits required for a specific country. Without a proper work permit, you might violate local laws.
Calculate the cost of living vs. your estimated salary
Figure out how to find a place to live
Understand local transportation
Arrange banking and other logistics
Consider how much vacation time and time off you will receive to explore the area
Start learning about your new country and culture
Begin to build a network over there or connect with people at your chosen company
Know that you’ll have to pay US taxes even when living abroad if you meet the filing threshold. You may also be required to pay taxes in your country of residence.
While these requirements might seem like a drag, getting everything in order before you book your flight will help you follow the laws of your new work-abroad location and enable a smooth transition.
A great adventure is just over the horizon. If you can’t wait to work overseas, check out these 5 best companies that are hiring people to work abroad.
Preparing for Remote Work Abroad
Embarking on a journey to work remotely from a different country is an exciting adventure, but it requires careful planning and research. Here are some essential steps to ensure a smooth transition:
Research the Company: Before diving into a remote job, it’s crucial to verify the legitimacy and reputation of the company. Check their website, social media presence, and reviews from current or former employees to get a clear picture of their work culture and reliability.
Understand the Job Requirements: Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the job requirements, including the type of work, expected working hours, and communication channels. This will help you assess if you have the necessary skills and experience for the role.
Check the Company’s Remote Work Policy: Familiarize yourself with the company’s remote work policy. Understand their expectations for remote workers, communication protocols, and performance evaluation criteria to ensure you can meet their standards.
Obtain Necessary Visas and Permits: If you plan to work remotely from a foreign country, securing the necessary visas and permits is a must. Research the requirements for your destination country and apply well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Set Up a Home Office: Create a dedicated home office space that is comfortable, quiet, and free from distractions. Invest in essential equipment like a reliable computer, a strong internet connection, and noise-cancelling headphones to enhance your productivity.
Develop a Routine: Establish a routine that includes regular working hours, breaks, and exercise. This will help you stay focused and maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely.
Stay Connected with Colleagues and Friends: Regularly schedule video calls or virtual coffee breaks with colleagues and friends. This will help you stay connected and avoid feelings of isolation, making your remote work experience more enjoyable.
By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for a successful remote work experience abroad, ensuring that you are well-equipped to handle the challenges and enjoy the benefits of working in a new environment.
Remote Work Essentials
To thrive as a remote worker, having the right tools and equipment is crucial. Here are some essentials to consider:
Reliable Computer and Internet Connection: A fast and reliable computer paired with a strong internet connection is the backbone of remote work. This ensures you can stay connected and productive without any technical hiccups.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Investing in noise-cancelling headphones can significantly improve your focus by blocking out background noise and distractions, allowing you to work more efficiently.
Video Conferencing Software: Familiarize yourself with video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype. These platforms are essential for staying connected with colleagues and clients, facilitating smooth communication.
Project Management Tools: Utilize project management tools such as Trello or Asana to stay organized and keep track of tasks. These tools help streamline workflows and ensure that you meet deadlines effectively.
Time Tracking Software: Time tracking software like Harvest or Toggl can help you monitor your working hours and stay focused. This is especially useful for managing your time and ensuring productivity.
Comfortable and Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in comfortable and ergonomic furniture, such as a standing desk or an ergonomic chair. This will help you maintain good posture and prevent physical strain during long working hours.
Virtual Private Network (VPN): Consider using a VPN to ensure your internet connection is secure and private. This is particularly important when accessing sensitive company data or working from public Wi-Fi networks.
By equipping yourself with these essentials, you can create a productive and comfortable remote work environment, setting yourself up for success.
Companies That Allow You To Work Abroad
1. Taboola
With over 1,400 employees at its global locations, Taboola not only has a New York head office, but international office scattered around the world in London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Bangkok, New Delhi, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, São Paulo, and Sydney.
Taboola is a unique, online “discovery platform” that helps thousands of companies tailor their marketing to consumers who want to experience new things. Business development is a key area within Taboola, as the company seeks to expand its market presence and improve its services.
If this sounds like something that you would like to help create, Taboola is a cutting-edge company that hires many employees into international positions.
2. Audible
Do you love audiobooks? Are you a content creator, and have experience in marketing, engineering, or software development?
Here’s your chance to merge your career with a chance to work abroad. As a leading creator and medium for digital audio content from fiction and non-fiction to broadcasts, entertainment, newspapers, and magazine publications, Audible is a diverse company on a mission to spread the power of the spoken word.
At Audible, you can feel like you’re making a difference by exceeding consumers’ expectations and becoming part of a team that inspires and motivates each other through the stories they tell.
As a global audiobook leader, Audible places cultural diversity, community engagement, and social impact initiatives high on its priorities list. Recognized as a global leader, Audible continues to develop effective solutions to address pressing environmental and social challenges on a worldwide scale. You can also become a part of this diverse effort from an office in London, Tokyo, Berlin, Sydney, or Chennai, India.
3. Asana
Asana is a software-as-a-service platform that improves team collaboration with office projects to strategic initiatives. Millions of users and over 75,000 organizations in 195 countries use Asana to improve their processes. These include NASA, Airbnb, Traveloka, Air France, Sephora, AirAsia, Grab, AllBirds, Kohl’s, Viessmann, and Uber
Rated one of the best companies to work for by both Fortune and Glassdoor, Asana also opens the door to work-abroad opportunities. With 9 offices scattered around the globe, choose from its flagship offices located in Sydney, Dublin, or Tokyo to work overseas. Outside of its head office in San Francisco and a flagship office in New York City, the company also has offices in Vancouver, Canada, and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Since it’s an online work management platform, Asana provides the groundwork for the remote industry. Asana's tools are essential for project managers and their teams to collaborate effectively in a distributed work setting. If you’re a collaborative-minded person with a mission, Asana is looking for people like you to bring global teams together in seamless cooperation.
4. Google
According to Forbes, Google is a top company that allows Americans to work abroad. Google doesn’t just have more than 56,000 global employees, but the company seeks and embraces diversity and differences among its employees.
With a work culture that prioritizes mental and physical health and wellness, Google has free food on offer for employees during the day and encourages “bring your dog to work days”. Google believes that viewing differences as strengths and fostering their employees’ happiness and well-being not only increases productivity but makes them a company that people want to work for. Google also supports remote employees, promoting flexible working arrangements that allow team members to work from any location globally.
Even better, Google has international locations that range from Switzerland to Argentina and from India to Brazil. If you’re looking for location flexibility and cultural diversity, Google tops the charts for both. The company has embraced the concept of remote teams, enhancing flexibility and expanding its talent pool by allowing employees to work from anywhere in the world.
5. Hyatt
As a hospitality giant, Hyatt boasts more than 100,000 locations in 56 countries. Hyatt’s employment opportunities demonstrate that you’re not locked out of working abroad if you don’t specialize in common remote positions such as IT.
Job openings range from finance to sales, human resources, marketing, and engineering positions. These diverse job opportunities highlight the variety of roles available at Hyatt. Known as the best company to work for in China, Hyatt also has work-abroad jobs available across Europe, India, and throughout the United Arab Emirates.
Tips for a Successful Remote Work Experience
Achieving success as a remote worker involves more than just having the right tools. Here are some tips to help you excel in your remote work journey:
Establish Clear Communication Channels: Regularly schedule video calls or virtual coffee breaks with colleagues and clients. Clear and consistent communication helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between your work and personal life. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and preventing burnout.
Stay Organized: Use project management tools and time tracking software to stay organized and on top of tasks. Keeping a structured workflow ensures that you meet deadlines and maintain productivity.
Prioritize Self-Care: Regularly schedule activities like exercise, meditation, or other self-care practices. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for sustaining long-term productivity and well-being.
Stay Connected with Colleagues and Friends: Regularly interact with colleagues and friends through video calls or virtual meetups. Staying connected helps combat feelings of isolation and keeps you engaged with your work community.
Be Flexible: Adaptability is key when working remotely. Be willing to adjust your schedule or workflow as needed to accommodate different time zones or unexpected changes.
Continuously Learn and Improve: Invest in continuous learning and skill development to stay competitive in the remote work market. This not only enhances your career prospects but also keeps you motivated and engaged.
By following these tips, you can create a successful and fulfilling remote work experience, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of working remotely while maintaining high productivity and job satisfaction.
