Applying for Work Overseas-Do's and Dont's

Your excitement is boundless as you surf the net browsing through job postings. You see opportunities to work overseas and you send away resumes like crazy.

The following are common malpractice in the virtual world of job hunting.

1. Sending resumes as attachment. And that's it. No nothing, no whatever. You leave it to fate and hope that the employer will open your resume. No sir, not going to happen. If you don't know the position you are applying for, then the employer won't know either. If your time is gold to mention details of your application, then the employer's time is gold-studded with diamonds to do the guessing game.

2. Sending email application to hundreds of email addresses at once. Okay, this one is no rocket science. Haven't you heard of "Bcc"? How would you feel if you received an email from your suitor saying he adores only you but sends to thirty other email addresses along with yours? You don't feel special, I know. Employers feel the same way. Sending a mass email application is a dead giveaway. Who would want to hire Mr./Ms. Generic. Not me, definitely.

3. Disregarding the requirements and qualifications of the candidates. You think maybe, if the employer sees that you are not-qualified-but-is-willing-to-learn-and-get trained, that you would be considered and shortlist? Unless the employer says so, disregarding their qualifications would only get you one thing: control-alt-delete.

4. Inappropriate Email addresses. Your email address is all about you. So, unless you are signing up for a dating site, do away with email addresses that contain the words "sexy", "naughty", "crazy" , etc. Most employers are easily turned off when they see such addresses. Be professional and appropriate. It's always safe to use an email address that has your full name. Reserve that catchy email address or better yet-throw it in a crypt, lock it and throw away the key.

5. Outdated Resumes. You sell yourself, so don't short sell you. Take some time to edit and update your resume. Highlight your skills and qualifications. Do not include personal information that might be deemed discriminatory like age, marital status, religion or race. Do not attach pictures, unless you are joining a beauty pageant. Equal opportunity employers look at the qualifications, experience and skills.

6. Getting personal in the cover letter. Most employers and recruiting personnel appreciate a cover letter. It is a brief description of your objectives and your intention. When you write a cover letter, be direct, coherent and professional. Never beg and say things like your country is impoverished and that you are the bread winner and your husband left you for another woman-snap out of it! This is not your soap opera letter. It's the job you want and not their sympathy or lack of it.

7. Unreadable Attachments. Be considerate enough to send readable attachments. Please remember that not everyone is using the same office software. Some employers are considerate enough to inform you that your attachment is unreadable. If that is the case, apologize and thank them for giving your resume another chance to be reviewed. NEVER send them a link and instruct them on how to convert the file. There is an emergency button for that kind of email, it's called "delete".

8. Sending large attachments/ files. Be considerate and don't flood the employer's inbox by sending large scanned files of your certificates and other documents. Opening large files sometimes slows down computers and eats up memory. If they ask for it, use compressing softwares like zip. Plus large files take time sending out-tick tock tick tock.

9. Inviting the employers to join your social sites. Hold it, don't even think about it. Before you hit that "invite" button think and think some more. Employers have their own circle of friends and obviously you're not one of them. Spamming them with all kinds of invites to join such and such social sites are annoying. It's unprofessional and inappropriate. Spare them, if they want to be a hermit let them. There's a reason why they are not your friends. Leave it at that.

10. Lack of Experience and Training. Do not apply for a position just because you want to go out of the country. Employers are willing to sponsor the right candidate. They deserve to get qualified people, afterall hiring foreign workers costs them money, time and energy. Prepare for the job-get trained get hired.