Looking for a job overseas is not easy. Everyday, you hear horror stories about Filipinos being offloaded due to illegal or incomplete travel documents, people scammed by “recruitment agencies” that just extorted money, or domestic workers abused in their host country. Still, you want to seek greener pastures to be able to provide more and a better life for your family.
So you decided to attend job fairs and pass your resume to various recruitment agencies, hoping to land a job abroad. Before you say yes to one, we listed several things you should consider when you apply for a job overseas:
Destination Country
Where do you plan to work? Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar may be the top destination but Asian countries like Hong Kong and Singapore are not left behind. There are also a lot of job opportunities in America, Africa, Europe, and Australia, which you can consider as well.
Wherever you decide to go, make sure you consider the following:
- Climate
- Culture and traditions, including their way of life
- Religion and its tolerance for Catholicism
- Diplomatic and trade relations with the world, including the Philippines
- Existing political structure
- Safety and security of the country
- Existing immigration, labor, and justice laws
Employer
Aside from the country itself, you need to know who your potential employer is. Legitimate recruitment agencies will inform you about this, so make sure to ask about it. Don’t hesitate to ask about the agency’s previous transactions with the same employer because it will give you an idea on whether this employer is good or not.
Aside from this, ask about:
- Accreditation or recognition from POEA or derogatory records, if any
- The industry where the employer belongs to, including the products or services offered
- Multinational or national company?
- Prevailing work ethic, management style, and corporate culture
Nonetheless, these factors will be clearer to you during the job interview process.
The Job Itself
You need to know and understand the job you are applying for. Ask about the job description and responsibilities to make sure that you are fit for the job. Clarify any additional technical skills so you can prepare for the job and enroll in training or classes related to the job to be able to deliver the output required of you.
Employment Terms
This is important. The Philippine government gives utmost priority to the safety and security of Filipinos working overseas (take the case of Kuwait). This is why the government only allows Filipinos to work in countries with existing labor laws that meet similar standards with Philippine labor laws.
Clarify about:
- Monthly salary and other wage and non-wage benefits
- Medical and/or dental benefits
- Vacation and sick leave credits
- Standard working hours and days of work
- Provision for overtime
- Housing accommodation
- Travel benefits going to and from the workplace
- Other monetary and non-monetary benefits
Workplace
This is something you will be more familiar with during the interview process, but it won’t hurt if you ask about it early on. Ask where you will be assigned, the location of the workplace, and its accessibility and proximity to other facilities like hospital, shopping areas, and tourist spots. More importantly, clarify the safety and security issues inside the workplace.
At this point, don’t hesitate to ask if you will be given a place to stay. This way, you can canvass and look for a place near the workplace that is within your budget.
Filipino Community
Wherever you go, you will always find a Filipino who will give you a warm smile and hello. Whether they are 10 or 100, the presence of Filipinos in your preferred destination country not only assures you of a helping hand but also gives you a piece of home. This is why this is something you should consider because in times of need, the Filipino community will be someone you can rely on.