'The world is your oyster' - how many times have you heard that expression, and what exactly does it mean?

Geographically it is indeed true that parts of the UK are grey, wet and fishy, and that certain night-spots when combined with booze and the opposite sex can have aphrodisiac properties - but that is not the real point…

You have the ability to achieve anything you want in life, the world, like a pearl is very valuable - finding work abroad and living within other cultures is the best way of exploring it.

Living and working abroad will broaden your horizons, give you confidence, and possibly allow you to develop knowledge of another language - it will undoubtedly be an adventure.

A wide variety of international work opportunities exist around the world. If you are interested in finding overseas employment, where do you begin?

Things to consider when making up your mind to relocate abroad

• How would a move abroad affect your long-term career aspirations? Is now a good time to relocate or should you wait until you become more established within your field?
• Have you considered the views of others close to you? You will be away from your family and friends for a prolonged period. It is possible your partner will also have to relocate, perhaps you have children - you will have to find new schools etc.
• If you currently rent your home you will have to see your lease through to its end, if you own a house will you sell it or rent it?
• Language - It is possible that English will not be the primary language of the country you are moving to. Do you know enough to get by?
• Will your wage be paid into an account in the UK or will you have to open an account in your country of temporary residence?
• Will you enjoy living within the culture of the country you are moving to? Such things as dietary habits, climate, housing, media, and local customs will all be different from what you are used to.

How to find a job abroad
There are several ways to get work abroad, some more difficult to achieve than others. The ease at which you will find work is dependent upon which country you hope to move to, the type of work you are looking for, and what skills you can offer.

Get a transfer abroad with a company/organisation in your home country
Many companies now have offices around the world and one of the easiest ways for employers to work abroad is to get a transfer with one of these companies. Make enquiries with your firm to find out where they have other offices, or if you are currently job seeking target your applications to multinational firms.

Find work with a foreign company
Start with a search on the Internet, Jobsite currently advertises jobs in 35 sectors in 9 European countries and is in the process of expanding across the whole of Europe. If you have skills that are in demand in the countries you seek to relocate to then you have an advantage.

You will be looked upon particularly favourably if you have Engineering or IT skills. If you speak the language of the country you are looking to relocate to you can visit job sites within that countries domain.

Visit your local library, there are many books on how to go about finding work abroad. Read English language newspapers from the country you are looking to locate to, they possibly have appointments advertised.

If you can afford to and have the time it is recommended that you visit the country you are interested in working in. This may be the first time that you have been to the country and there is a chance that it is not as you imagined. It is advisable that you see what life is like in the country before you move there as you may not actually like it.

Take lots of copies of your CV with you and resort to pasting them to telegraph poles if all else fails. Make contacts while you are there, speak to expatriates of your own country as they may be able to give you some tips on finding work. Contact your national embassy and explain what you are trying to do, try to establish contact with local trade organisations. Take a copy of the local business telephone directory so you can continue your cold calling when you are back home.

It will not be easy and finding work abroad can take a lot of time, if you have your heart set on it do not give up.

Work for an expatriate owned foreign company
In this case language barriers will not be such a problem. It is possible that you have contacts within the firm who can help set you up.

Work in an industry that offers lots of scope for travel
One of the safest options is to find work in your home country within an industry that offers lots of opportunities to travel. The Armed forces, Diplomatic corp., Leisure and Tourism will all potentially lead to placement abroad. If you have language skills and show a particular desire to work overseas then you will be given preference.

Visas and immigration laws
To work for an extended period in a country of which you are a non resident you usually require a work visa. This can prove to be difficult in some countries and you may only be granted access if you already have a job waiting for you, or if you have specific skills that that country is looking for. To get a visa contact the embassy of the country you want to move to within your own country. If there is not an embassy write to the British foreign office for advice.

Check the employment figures of the country you hope to move to as they can provide an indication as to how easy it will be to get a work permit. The USA, New Zealand, Australia and Canada all have fairly elaborate immigration rules.

Tailoring your CV todifferent countries
Employers in different countries essentially all look for the same qualities in their applicants, however a country may have their own unique conventions when it comes to CV writing. For further details see the article 'Tailoring your CV for different countries'. Generally though make sure your CV and covering letter are clear enough for a national in your targeted country to understand who you are and what you want. Your must show that you have an understanding of the country and industry sector within that country so that people feel that you can contribute immediately.

Working in Europe
Since 1992 nationals of one EU Market State have had the right to live, work and study in any other Member State. This right has now been extended to include the EEA (European Economic Area) countries.

Freedom of movement inside the EU means that you have exactly the same rights as a national of the State in which you have chosen to work. You are entitled to the same rates of pay, the same health and social services and the same rights to benefit when you are ill and unemployed. However some of these benefits are only available after tax and Social security contributions have been made in the relevant country.

Residence regulations
If you hold a valid passport/identity card from any EU or EEA member state you can enter another member state for a period of up to three months (six months in the case of the uk), then you need to obtain a Residence permit. In order to do this you must be able to prove that you will not have 'recourse to the funds' of the Host State. In practice this means that you will be able to prove that you will not claim state benefit and are able to support yourself either by having a student grant, employment, of access to their funds.

If you cannot prove that you will not be dependent upon state funds then you will definitely have trouble getting a residence permit.

Unemployment benefits
You can claim unemployment benefits in any of the EU Member states for up to 3 months. It is currently possible to look for work for up to three months and to transfer and to claim UK unemployment benefit abroad. You must have received contribution-based job seekers allowance (JSA-CB) for at least four weeks in the uk before claiming benefit abroad. You must register within seven days of your arrival in the country and must comply with the national signing on requirements. The benefits you will receive will be at Uk rates, and not those of the country visited.

This does not apply to means-tested benefits (i.e., family credit, income support, housing benefit), these usually vary according to the country of residence. However, you might be eligible for other benefits that exist in the country you go to. Leaflet JSAL22 gives you more information and is available from your benefits office.

Volunteer work
There are many voluntary organisations such as VSO, the Red Cross and Oxfam that would love to hear from you if you want to work as an aid worker in a disadvantaged country which may be poverty stricken, or ravaged by war. The chances are your work will not be paid and in fact will probably have to pay your flight and cost of living out of your own pocket. The work will be physically and mentally draining, but you will be doing something thoroughly worthwhile. Your eyes will be opened to the reality that much of the world is not fortunate enough to be able to feed itself daily, let alone know what an 'internet' is.

Other volunteer opportunities are available with organizations such as Raleigh International who carry out worthwhile community infrastructure building projects in the third world and conservation organizations such as Operation Wallacea who operate in the pacific conserving reefs and endangered species. These expeditions usually last a couple of months, to take part there are selection procedures and you are required to raise in excess of £2, 000 by sponsorship.

Organised work schemes abroad
Other organizations can do the leg work for you to locate work within a country. BUNAC (the British Universities North America Club) is a non-profit, non-political, student organization with its own travel company. They can book and arrange all your flights, accommodation and work within the US and Canada, they offer support services and one of the best things is that there are lots of other like-minded people doing the same thing who you will be thrown together with.

If you are using an organization of this type make sure you research their them thoroughly before you hand over any money. For advice visit your local careers center or get a book from the library.

Teaching English as a foreign language is possible in many countries and you do not need formal teaching qualifications. Often you do require A-level English language or an official TEFL qualification.

Holiday work
There is lots of scope for finding seasonal work in foreign countries, you could be picking grapes in the south of France, shearing sheep on a ranch in Australia or instructing skiing in north America. This work is only for a short period, and you have to work hard for very little money, but if you are with a couple of friends and are not stuck out in the wilderness it can be lots of fun.

Studying abroad
It is possible to go to another country on a student exchange programme for a year of your degree, or to undertake your entire degree abroad. The Internet provides one of the best resources to find out about placements, so do your research.

In conclusion
Is working abroad a realistic option? The answer is an unequivocal yes, however relocating abroad can be very expensive depending on where you move to. People who move abroad do not generally come out financially better off than before they left their home country.

It is relatively simple getting casual work but earning a comparable wage to that which you earned at home is far more difficult unless you have specific skills that are in short supply within your target country.

Finding work abroad can be a long process but one that is definitely worth pursuing, do not give up, when you have your job your experiences abroad will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The world is your oyster so swallow it down whole!