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The
Cyberspouse: October 1999
Researching Employment Options
Before the Bid
The Cyberspouse sees two situations in which a "trailing" spouse might use the Internet to research overseas employment opportunities.The first occasion for research, and the subject of this column, should occur before the officer places any bids on overseas assignments. Questions such as "Is there a bilateral work agreement?" Or, "Will I need to learn the local language in order to work there?" ought to be answered before the bid list is submitted. Today's Foreign Service families usually consider the employment objectives of both partners before they pack up for Nouakchott!
The Family Liaison Office, or FLO, addresses the employment concerns of Foreign Service family members. A new program, the Family Member Appointment, has improved conditions of employment for those who choose to work within U.S. Embassies. For further information on FLO and the FMA program, visit the FLO section of the State Department's website. This page also includes Adobe PDF versions of Direct Communication papers regarding bilateral work agreements and similar matters.
Post reports issued by the Department of State are a good starting point for those who wish to explore non-Embassy employment options. However, many of these reports are quite outdated and do not provide full coverage of possibilities that may exist "on the economy," or outside of the Embassy administrative structure. The Cyberspouse recommends that any spouse who is serious about pursuing a career while posted overseas confirm the information provided in the post reports with the Overseas Briefing Center. The center is located on the campus of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Washington, DC, and can be reached via email at FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov. Frequently, the OBC will have draft copies of newer versions of reports long before they are distributed to Embassies overseas.
There's no getting around it: all post reports have an essential sameness about them. The Cyberspouse's theory about this is that anyone writing a post report already has an Embassy job, and therefore is not likely to be terribly familiar with other opportunities at post. Add the typical U.S government reluctance to say anything definitive about anything, and you end up with a very bland document. So there is really no substitute for personal communication with another spouse in your situation. Ask to see the OBC's list of recent returnees to the Washington area to get first-hand accounts of life at any post in the world.
The OBC also has an updated list of the email addresses of Community Liaison Office Coordinators at posts all over the world. A good CLO, as they are called, can bring people together. For example, if you are a teacher, and want to continue teaching after your arrival in Abidjan, the CLO should be able to get you in touch with another teacher at post so that you can ask him or her about prospects for local employment. If you would like to try some form of telecommuting via the Internet, ask to be put in touch with others at post that may already be doing the same thing. Don't settle for anything less than first-hand information. With email communication becoming more and more widespread, it should be possible to compile the "straight dope" on several potential posts within a matter of days or weeks.
Transitions Abroad is an excellent resource for those seeking an overview of employment opportunities in different regions of the world. This magazine, which focuses on international work and study information, is always packed with resources, most of which can also be found at its award-winning website. The site also reviews and links to up-to-date publications on work abroad, such as its own "Working Abroad: the Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas."
Two publishing houses are recommended by Transitions Abroad as providing the most complete resources concerning cross-cultural employment. They are Intercultural Press and Impact Publications. Each site has an interesting catalog of books that can be ordered by email or by telephone.
The Escape Artist is a comprehensive site with terrific links for those who wish to get a feel for the employment situation in a given country or region. Archived articles cover job-related topics, and dozens of links include businesses within country categories as well as "Facts at a Glance," online translators, and other useful items. This site would be fun for anyone to use as a research tool for the bidding process, whether or not he or she is actively seeking employment.
Tales from a Small Planet has "Real Post Reports" which include some first-hand information about local wages and job opportunities. There is also a section of the site devoted to employment-related websites.
Finally, why not post a question in cyberspace? If you are associated with the U.S. Foreign Service, you are eligible to join Livelines, an active listserve sponsored by the Association of American Foreign Service Women. Just send out a message asking for information on the countries you are considering, and you may be surprised how much information you receive in return! The Spouses' Underground Network sponsors solarpower, a similar listserve that is open to all expatriates.
The moral of this column is that when it comes to building mobile careers, our best resource is the Foreign Service and expatriate community. In other words, ourselves. So be a part of the bidding process. Don't be shy about putting your career considerations on an equal footing with schools, housing, and other important criteria. Using the basic resources offered by the State Department as a springboard, dig up the facts for yourself. In the digital age, all things are possible.
Next month the Cyberspouse will look into more specific Internet job-hunting techniques. Your spouse has been assigned to Mongolia--now what do you do?
The Cyberspouse is contributed by Kelly Bembry Midura, website designer, freelance writer, stay-at-home parent, and veteran Foreign Service Spouse. She is currently working on a book about frugal living for families in the Washington, DC area. Click here to read more "Cyberspouse" columns. Email Kelly at kelly@aafsw.org.