Working abroad can seem like an appealing option for many Filipinos because it can provide more opportunities for them to earn a decent income. However, landing an employer as an OFW is not as simple as it sounds. You need to consider many factors before choosing an employer abroad, especially if you’re planning to work in another country for the first time.
And just when you thought that you can’t choose an employer abroad, you should know that there is always a way to find an employer that will offer you the best benefits and compensation package. Find out more about it here.
Aside from looking at a role that you wish to apply for, there are other things that you need to consider when choosing an employer abroad. These include the location of the company, how much they pay their employees, and whether or not they offer benefits. Here are the rest:
1. Reputation
When a company has a great reputation, it says a lot about their work ethic. If you’re looking for an employer that values hard work, then look for companies with good reputations. A few ways to research the reputation of your potential employer are:
- Ask people who have worked at the company in question. They’ll be able to give you an honest view on what it’s like there and whether or not they’d recommend the job.
- Look at reviews on websites like Glassdoor and Indeed. These platforms allow employees to rate their workplaces based on factors like compensation and benefits, as well as management and culture. This information can help you determine if this is the right place for you!
2. Job opportunities
If you are moving to a new country, it helps to know that your new employer will be able to provide steady work and good pay. Do the math: the average salary for your job in the destination country should be at least 10% higher than what you would have made back home, or else it won’t be worth moving there. On top of this calculation, consider how many people are qualified to do your job at home (and how many fewer qualified people there may be abroad). Also, take into account whether or not any benefits such as health care are included with employment packages so that you can plan ahead if they aren’t.
It’s also important to consider whether or not there is enough demand for people with your skillset within the industry where you want to work—not every career path will have an abundance of opportunities abroad!
3. Pay
If you’re going to work abroad, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that pay can vary widely between countries. While your position and salary may be similar in some ways, the cost of living is also likely to differ widely depending on where you work. If you do decide to go with an employer abroad, it’s important that they offer competitive wages and benefits so that you don’t end up spending more than necessary on housing or food while abroad.
The first step when comparing potential employers is understanding what their salary structure looks like overall—what are they offering for entry-level positions? What are they offering for mid-level roles? And how much do senior level positions make? This will help give context when comparing offers from multiple companies within a single industry or geographic area (e.g., tech startups in San Francisco). You should also think about how much time each role takes per week—this can affect things like total annual earnings if there are bonuses tied into productivity metrics (e.g., working overtime).
4. Tax benefits
When you are looking for a job with an employer in another country, it is important to consider all the ways that your government will be able to reduce your tax burden.
You should know that the tax benefits available from working abroad vary from country to country. Some countries allow employers to pay their employees a certain amount each month and withhold taxes on behalf of the government (this is called “tax-free” or “tax-deductible”), while other countries do not allow such payments by employers or organizations.
That said, it’s always worth asking if you’ll be paid less than usual because of this arrangement—and if so, how much? If your employer offers housing and living expenses as part of their compensation package (not all companies do this), then those costs may also reduce your income-tax liability. The more economic benefits they offer up front, the less likely it is that they’re trying something shady!
5. Cost of living in the country where the employer is located
The cost of living in a country is an important factor to consider when deciding where to work abroad. The cost of basic necessities, such as food and housing, varies greatly from country to country. When researching a potential employer’s location, try to find out what the average salaries are like in the area and whether or not they will allow you enough money for your everyday expenses.
For example, if you are interested in working at an English school in Japan with a salary of $1,000 per month (which could be possible), but the local price index shows that rent typically costs $500 per month and groceries cost $200 per month on average across various cities within Japan as well as Tokyo specifically (which would include finding an apartment within walking distance from work) then it may not be worth taking that job because your total living expenses would come out closer to $700-$800 per month instead of just $1k after taxes! In this case it would make more sense for someone else who has higher income needs than yours does not mind spending more on rent/housing closer into downtown areas where prices tend to be higher.
6. Working conditions and protections under local labor laws
You should also ask about working conditions and protections under local labor laws. This will help you get a sense of both what you can expect from your employer, and what rights you have as an employee. Some questions to ask include: Do employees have the right to unionize? What is the minimum wage? Are there health and safety regulations in place? How much overtime pay do workers receive when they work extra hours?
The answers will give you a clearer picture of how well your employer treats its workers, and how those protections compare with other countries’ standards.
7. Benefits and retirement savings options, such as health insurance or a matching 401(k) plan
As you’re weighing your employment options, it’s important to consider how each company treats its employees. Are there benefits like health insurance, a 401(k) plan, or pension plan? Will you get paid vacation days, sick leave, holidays and/or overtime pay? What are the working hours like?
These factors can make a big difference in your daily life while abroad. For example: Do they offer an English language course to help you better acclimate to the local culture? Is there a gym where employees can work out together after work hours? If so, what’s their policy on smoking inside or outside of the office building—and does this affect whether or not smokers feel comfortable working there?
Whether you’re moving to a new country or just want a change of scenery, there are many factors you should consider when choosing an employer abroad.
Whether you’re moving to a new country or just want a change of scenery, there are many factors you should consider when choosing your next employer. It’s important that the company is reputable, has good working conditions, pays well and offers good benefits.
In some countries, employers may have the right to cancel an employee’s contract at any time. This means they could terminate you without notice or cause if they wanted to. When researching an employer in a foreign country it’s important to check what kind of employment laws they follow so nothing comes as a surprise later down the line.
Final Thoughts
Entertaining the idea of working abroad isn’t all about the money. While it is important to earn a good living and have excellent benefits, many other factors must be considered before accepting an offer. The first step in exploring your options is researching the company you’re interested in working for and comparing their culture with yours.
And when choosing an employer, you need to look at it from the perspective of your worth – as an employee and as a person. You should never settle for less than you deserve, even if it means turning down a job offer. Remember, your career is too important to leave up in the air.
We hope that you’ve found this article helpful and that you’re able to find the right job for you. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you!
READ NEXT: Why you Need to Keep your Options Open when Working Abroad