Since graduating from business school in 2003 (feels like ages ago!), I’ve never held a job in France. Instead, I’ve had the opportunity to work in roles somewhat related to my administration degree in countries like Guatemala, Spain, and the UK. Eventually, I moved towards location-independent jobs and started freelancing from my laptop.
Freelancing is a fantastic way to be location independent while earning a decent salary. It sure beats working as a bartender for just above minimum wage in some third-world countries. In Guatemala, for instance, small bars and hostels in tourist areas pay around $1.25 an hour plus tips, and if you’re lucky, you might get a meal included. Very few places offer a free room, and some might even charge you about $100 for accommodations, which is pretty cheap.
Rather than settling for those kinds of jobs, I sent out a few resumes and landed a better position. I worked as a manager at a boutique hotel where I enjoyed a decent salary along with free room and board. Later, I became a business consultant for a major law firm. By the age of 23, I was making around $2,500 a month—quite a lot for Guatemala, sometimes even more than what my classmates in Paris were earning. Plus, my rent for a three-bedroom duplex in the best part of town was just $500, and I could get a maid to clean it for $5 a day.
Working abroad in a field related to your studies isn’t as tough as it seems. In Guatemala, once I got hired, the firm took care of my work visa and I could legally work from day one, even though it took about six months to get the stamp in my passport.
I applied to many companies and noticed that my success rate with interviews was much higher outside of France. Employers appreciated my fluency in English and French and valued the business knowledge I had gained abroad.
Travelers often avoid working abroad legally because they don’t want full-time or long-term commitments. Hostels typically require a one-month commitment and offer flexible workdays, allowing for occasional breaks to explore. However, these jobs barely pay enough to sustain a local lifestyle, let alone save for a flight ticket home. Plus, you have to exit the country every three months for a visa run, which can be expensive, annoying, and risky if you get caught.
That’s why I’ve always opted for positions where I could earn a reasonable wage. One option is to ask your current employer if you can transfer to their office in Dubai or Rio. It’s a long shot, but they might say yes. If they agree, don’t expect an expat package (free rent, flights, international school for kids, etc.), but you can still negotiate a bit.
Given the rise of educated bilingual professionals in developing countries, your edge is your in-house knowledge. Show your company how they’d benefit by sending you to Bali instead of hiring a local for $500 a month to do your job.
If your company turns you down, look for countries with easy visa policies. As a European Union citizen, I can work in any EU country without hassle, enjoying benefits like the unemployment system which allows me to return to France and claim support if needed.
Work-holiday visa agreements are another great option for people under 30 in several countries. For example, you can work in Australia with the condition that part of your 12-month visa is spent exploring. This lets you find a “real” job rather than bartending.
Lastly, if you can save enough, live off your savings during the duration of a tourist visa (3-6 months depending on the country), move there, and apply to as many jobs as possible. In Guatemala, companies like Nestle or Cap Gemini pay foreigners more than local companies because you’re saving them the cost of an expat package while bringing a multicultural perspective. Teachers can work in international schools, and hospitality professionals can aim for management roles in higher-end hotels. If you plan to work for six months or more, I strongly recommend finding a job related to your degree. This will help you save more so you can enjoy more time on the road without financial worries.
Remember, working under the table is risky. If you get injured on the job and can’t prove your employment, you’ll be on the hook for all the expenses.
Have you ever worked abroad legally? What would your preference be?