You’re no stranger to life in the fast lane. You’ve seen a piece or two of the world outside the USA while serving your country. It stands to reason you would consider continuing your career in it, sans uniform.
Many overseas contracting opportunities can be found now throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As you might suspect, the competition for those jobs can be intense.
Being the worldly one you are, you also know that a typical day at the office in London, Brussels or Munich can be significantly different from one in Kabul, Baghdad or Manama. Choose your OCONUS professional poison wisely.
Whether your lust for an overseas job adventure leads towards fish and chips, chocolate and lederhosen or more in the direction of a highway to any number of danger zones, you’ll find that working overseas has definite benefits worth packing your bags.
You get to see more of the world.
You might initially think working overseas as a civilian is akin to winning the Powerball. You get paid, often quite well, to live abroad where your neighbors speak a foreign language and some of the greatest sightseeing can be found outside your own front door. Travel, adventure and the fluctuating value of the dollar await you. The excitement builds as you consider The World Tour Sans Uniform.
To a certain degree, working overseas is like winning the lottery. If you manage to snag a cooperative work schedule, and avoid bullets flying overhead, you can make a lifetime of priceless memories.
It won’t, however, be the picture perfect on-tour story you might hope it to be.
You’ll still have to work, and might encounter an interesting office schedule if your work involves liaison with offices back in the States. It might be 5:00 pm in your neck of the woods, but America is just waking up and your counterparts in the USA want to chat with you…at length. No happy hour for you!
If you want to cash in by working in one or more of the the danger zones of the world, there is also the potentially hazardous work environment to consider before boarding the plane.
Just like the good old days in uniform, you’ll also have to be physically fit and have your shots up to date. Depending on the location, you may even have to supply and restock your own anti-malaria medication.
Unlike the good old days, you probably won’t be issued a weapon even in the hot spots. Unless you are targeting a career in security or covert ops, you might consider jury-rigging your stapler into a low-grade weapon of mass destruction for self-defense as necessary.
You get paid well for seeing more of the world.
Aside from an intrinsic lust for travel and adventure, there is money, pure and simple. Highly skilled employees get paid exceptionally well for doing the same job they might have done in the military for far less. Your payday has come, gentle warrior.
Of course, what you earn in a base pay depends on your qualifications, the job in question and the employer who hires you.
Some surveys peg-starting salaries for positions in Iraq at $91,000 and $99,000 in Afghanistan. It is not uncommon to find opportunities paying well over $100,000 in base pay alone.
The buck doesn’t stop at base pay, either, making overseas employment even more enticing. There can also be a whole host of other monies and benefits involved as well, depending on the assignment:
• Hostile fire zone/danger pay
• Bonus incentives
• Cost of living allowances
• Housing allowances
• Transportation
• Paid meals
• Paid vacations, holidays and personal time off
• Medical/dental for yourself and family members
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• 401(k) or similar retirement plans
• Flexible spending accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
There are also potential tax benefits to working overseas in the form of what the IRS calls Foreign Earned Income. In 2010, up to $91,500 of one’s salary was tax-free. Additionally, housing expenses or a portion of them might also be exempt from federal taxes. For more information, visit the IRS on line or hire yourself a good CPA. Overseas work experience looks good on your resume.
Aside from adventure, travel, pay and tax benefits, your career itself stands to benefit from working overseas. No one has to tell you that the world is getting smaller. By adding your overseas stint on your resume, you show future potential employers that you know how to deal with diverse cultures, ideas and people. In today’s job market, those aren’t qualities to be overlooked lightly.
Finding the Overseas Gigs
Being the savvy job seeker you are, you know you can tap into a powerful database of overseas (and stateside) job opportunities by joining the ClearanceJobs Cleared Network today.
What are you waiting for? With the requisite qualifications, a fearless attitude, the right connections and your ever so valuable security clearance, you have as great opportunity to land the job of your dreams overseas.
Prior Army and NG, too old for active duty anymore (34 is old now?), missed out on the afghan/iraq deployments as a techy guy. AVIDLY looking for overseas gigs, hostility or not. Looking forward to working with likeminded hardcore mission first prior service individuals.
Christopher McGee (Portland Oregon) on May 2, 2012 at 3:42pm
Preparing to seperate from the Air Force in January 2012 and actively exploring all possibilites to include OCONUS opportunities.
Christopher Hughes (Norfolk Virginia) on November 29, 2011 at 8:54am
Strong good points....Remember, the companies need you more than you need them.I was in Kandahar,was treated well.There is also the bait and switch or TRY and hold you hostage, by giving you the round around.
Ask questions and get things in writing.Never settle for you will only work 5 or 6 days.Sign a contract with 7 days or nights pay out in mind.
Most of all it`s fun with the right company.
Patrick Twumasi (Triangle Virginia) on November 19, 2011 at 7:46pm
Very motivated ex-military, experienced and very well trained waiting for the opportunity to go overseas. Willing to accept any challenge that comes my way, with the mind set that "Mission is paramount."
Anthony Gutierrez (Corona California) on November 15, 2011 at 10:32pm
My work experience is correction officer, military police in the State Guard in, bouncer, martial art instructors, shooting instructors, personal trainers,
18 credits in criminal justice, private detective 39 credits
Guard in 10 years of safety
edgardo rivera (nc charlotte) on October 26, 2011 at 5:46am
yes
SANTOS RAMIREZ LORENZANA JR (DUMFRIES Virginia) on April 27, 2011 at 10:32am
I would like to learn how to effectively apply for overseas position.
Sandra L. Appleton (Hampton, VA) on April 26, 2011 at 7:05pm
When you are trying to get a federal gig after retirement you have to hurry up and wait! The same as your mil career..but bills still need to be paid . Another turn or two overseas could help you wait out the process and put some cash away for that rainy day or new car.
Anonymous356331 (PSC 813 BOX 156 APO/FPO) on April 23, 2011 at 12:07pm
Loved it and I want to go back. I have a special place in my heart for doing great things for greater people so that they can do bad things to bad people.
Montgomery Alan Loving Sr. (Sanford North Carolina) on April 22, 2011 at 2:00pm
Short-term overseas job that pays well. Count me in, where do I sign?
Charles Pickle (Fort Worth Texas) on April 21, 2011 at 9:27am
I am just looking for a job after I retire from the military, 1 June. I may have to look into going overseas for work.
Charles Rios (El Paso Texas) on April 20, 2011 at 1:53am
I agree with all the comments put I recommend to any "nah" sayers that you try it first before you judge it. I like the jobs overseas and around the world. Its an aquired taste.
Rickey Parker (Santee California) on April 13, 2011 at 12:39pm
I know what this job entails and look forward to joinining the stressed thousands
Gordon Gilbert (tucson Arizona) on April 12, 2011 at 12:54pm
Exactly! It's not for everyone. The money can be great, but you don't need to sell yourself short; companies need you more than you need them. You must devise an exit strategy before accepting a contract. Companies will often roll out the red carpet to entice new hires, but what they present is often far from the realities of your position. Be prepared for bait and switch tactics. And finally, do not ship vehicles or household goods to your new contract. If things sour, you're three suit cases and a plane ticket away from leaving. You don't want your company holding you hostage by threatening relocation expenses.
Joe Contractor (Asia, Cuba, Marshall Islands) on April 6, 2011 at 9:53pm
But it is not for everyone. You wind up becoming dependant upon the money and then it is difficult to leave if you didn't go in with an exit strategy. As far as seeing the world is concerned, perhaps some job functions involve this, but generally all you will see is one side of the T-walls/Hescos/C-wire from one FOB to the next. Downside: many of your former buddies will look down on you for 'going local'. Upside: great short-term money, paid vacations are nice.
KENNETH KAFTAN (Kingston New York) on April 6, 2011 at 1:38am
