Questions for Esther – finding a job overseas
In a monthly feature that first 
appears in Encore, Esther Clerehan answers agency and career questions.
Dear Esther,
I’m just about to start out in the business (assuming all things go well and I can find a job post AWARD school) and was wanting to know a little bit about working overseas. It’s been a dream of mine to work in places around America and Europe – particularly New York – but I don’t have any real idea of what would need to be done to secure a position over there. Should I be looking to join an agency in Melbourne that has international offices, or is that not the most important thing right now?
Thanks, International Man of Mystery
Dear International Man of Mystery,
Working overseas is a common goal for many Aussie creatives and these days there’s a lot more job traffic back and forth between various countries. You still need to be pretty determined to do it successfully.
If you have no claim for a European or American work visa, you will most likely require a sponsor.
To qualify for sponsorship you usually need a degree, several years’ expertise in your chosen field, and recognition of outstanding skills. This essentially translates as awards. And that means big, golden ones.
Your employer needs to ‘prove’ to the immigration department that your skills are unique and couldn’t be sourced locally. Effectively, you are taking a local’s spot. But it cuts both ways.
Transfers within networks are not common, but possible, if a network really wants to keep you. Occasionally your account expertise might need to be exported to another region to solve a problem. But I wouldn’t choose an agency on the off chance that it has a branch in New York.
As you are just starting out, the best thing to do is to keep your eyes out for the international competitions like Young Lions, Young Glory, etc.
Enter as many as you qualify for (and have the time to pursue), while you are building the foundations of your career. At this stage, it won’t matter whether you are with a multinational or a local, independent agency. Keep striving to do good work and find a partner who shares your ambitions.
Esther Clerehan is a creative recruiter for the advertising industry. This column first appeared on lifeatthebottom.com
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Your advice is a few years out of date in terms of working in America in particular.
As part of the free trade agreement John Howard forged with the USA, the E3 visa was established. You still need to be sponsored (but you are allowed to go over on a standard tourist visa to interview) – but there is no requirement to prove that your skills are unique and can’t be sourced locally.
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If you’re an Australian citizen, then the easiest route to the US is via the E-3 visa. It’s an endlessly renewable two-year work permit. You do still need to get an American company to offer you a job before applying for the E-3 – but it’s way less paperwork/commitment for them. Additionally, the barrier for entry is simply that applicants have to have a degree in the field they’ve applied for. I don’t believe the rule about needing to prove you’re doing a job a local couldn’t applies with the E-3.
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Thanks @Mike and @E-3. I am aware of the required visas.
It was non-specific advice for someone who hasn’t yet begun their career that as a creative wanting to work overseas, you’d have to be recognisably more hireable than what’s already available in the desired o/s market.
Not just in the USA, but anywhere.
Yes we did have John Howard and GW Bush to thank for the easing up of the requirements, and all we had to do for that was send our troops to Iraq.
This is good advice, but take it with a dash of salt.
I’ve worked with numerous digital designers, producers, strategists and suits who have gotten plum positions in the US and UK without having won any awards – some have even done so after less than two years in the industry.
Maybe it’s different for crusty old ad creatives who want to make TVCs, but digital people have far more mobility.
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I agree that focusing on the quality of your work is good advice, but suggest that joining an agency with International offices would be a good idea.
At Reactive we have transferred many staff (10+) from Australia to both our London and NYC offices, and I expect other agencies do the same (if not, why not?!). I would suggest you make this quite clear when you are interviewing though, to avoid disappointment from either side.
You should also expect to spend at least 6 months to a year in the Aussie office, to prove your talent and work ethic. Only ‘A players’ get transfers across the world!
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Try speaking to people who have done it themselves and see what their feedback is. Individual experiences vary greatly and making the move will have its challenges as well as its positives.
You could try out a working holiday scheme. The Youth Mobility Scheme in the UK for example would give you working rights for the time of your stay, up to two years. Maybe give that a go after you’ve got a couple of years’ experience. While you’re interviewing you can do casual work and get some travelling under your belt too.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.....onditions/
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