By Tony Jacowski

Before choosing a particular country, you need to make up your mind about whether you really want to give up your current job and take one in a country you are unsure about. This could be an intimidating task, since taking a job in a foreign country does not only mean relocating, but also making new friends and developing new business relationships.

Selecting A Job Recruitment Agency And The Country

In addition to choosing the country, you should cross check the authenticity of the position. There are certain job sites that dupe people into applying for overseas jobs. There are Internet sites springing up that ask for a certain amount of money, under the guise of recruitment and relocation charges. You can verify if a company is genuine by checking with the U.S Federal Commission. Over the past few years, a number of fraudulent companies have been exposed. The 'work from home' classifieds featured on websites and local newspapers are among these.

There are certain criteria you need to consider before short-listing a country that you want to work in:

Language Fluency: Most overseas companies emphasize language efficiency in the local language. In spite of being an alien to the country, if you can converse fluently in the local language, it definitely increases your chances of getting the job. This simplifies business transactions considerably.

Local Recruiters: Working with a local recruiter who knows the area well could help to ensure that you have the required skills.

Choose A Job-Centric Country: Some countries have demand for a certain jobs. For instance England, Russia, Germany and Spain have a demand for candidates with international banking expertise and technological backgrounds.

When you select a country, you should consider:

• The Expiration Date Of Your Passport: You wouldn't want to be stuck in your own country after signing on the dotted line due to an invalid passport.

• Verify Documents: You need to maintain and secure all the required papers and you need to find out how long it will take to acquire them if you don't have them already

• Clarify All Doubts: Inquire about any work permits needed in the country you are considering. Some countries have different requirements for foreigners.

• Immunizations: You might need to be immunized, before going to another country.

• Language: Identify the local languages of the country.

• Sponsorship: When you are working with the company, verify whether the company would sponsor your visits back home.

• Culture And Customs Of The Country: These affect the living conditions of the employee. Some countries have legal clauses about allowing the admission of people of certain religions. Besides, some countries sadly still allow racial discrimination, meaning they may not hire you even if you fit the bill.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.