Working and travelling abroad

Why wait to find a job at home when you can work somewhere sunny instead? Travelling and working overseas is always an option if you're craving a bit of adventure - and it can even help your job prospects when you get home.

The world's your oyster...

This is true to some extent, but in reality where you can go depends on whether you have the right visa and can work there legally. You don't need a visa to travel or work in most of the European Union member states, and you can stay as long as you like. But if you want to go further a field it requires some forward planning.

Many countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, offer working holiday visas for UK and Irish passport holders, allowing you to live and work in that country for up to two years.

For the USA, companies such as Bunac and Camp America can arrange temporary visas to work in summer camps across the country. Other jobs require more specific visas.

Jobs overseas

From working in a bar in Greece to a cattle ranch in outback Australia, there are endless possibilities out there. It can be a casual job to fund your trip, or something that can help you make decisions about your career. Teaching English, for instance, can give you an insight into life in the classroom. Volunteering is always a good option, too. There are many organisations that place volunteers all over the world; some require funding, others will pay basic living expenses. European Voluntary Service, for example, pays for food, accommodation and living expenses for volunteers on projects all across Europe.

Finding jobs abroad

Arm yourself with dozens of CVs and start socialising the moment you arrive to maximise your chances of finding work.

Danny, 25, who spent four years in Madrid, says finding work was easier than he thought. "I booked my flights and one night in a hostel in the city centre. I didn't really know what to expect," he says.  "Within two weeks I'd found a job in an English speaking call centre through someone I met in the hostel."

Rob, 23, who went to Australia on a working holiday visa, also got a job through a fellow traveller. "A guy in my hostel said his boss needed more workers for his event hire company. I ended up working for him for five months," he says.

Check out notice boards in hostels and international job sites, Eurodesk has loads of useful information on how to find work in Europe and Monster international lists hundreds of jobs. Do a CV drop and start networking; getting your face recognised is essential. "Try and meet as many people as possible – someone will be able to help you," says Rob.

Preparing to work overseas

Wherever you go finding a job requires legwork, so aim to take enough money for at least a month to tide you over. Checking out online forums on your destination to see what others say about the cost of living can give you an idea of how much you need. However, don't let the size of your bank account put you off going. "I didn't bring anywhere near enough money with me," says Rob. "But I found a job in the end, so it all worked out OK."

Coming home

Employers are much more open to the idea of people taking working holidays or a year or two out to travel, says life and career coach Joanne Mallon. "Most people come back refreshed and with a real clarity about what they want to do next," she says.

"Think before you go about what you want to get out of the trip and how that will benefit you as a person and a professional when you come back. This will help you to eventually sell those benefits to an employer when you return."

By Laura Canning

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