Hill McGlynn UK - Construction Recruitment Agency

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Do I need to have worked overseas before?    Do I need a Degree or Chartership?

What about my Work Permit / Residency / Visa?    Will my salary be tax free?

How much can I earn?    Do I need to speak another language?

Do I need to have worked overseas before?

Whatever position you apply for in your career, experience is always looked on favourably and working overseas is not any different.

The first overseas assignment is typically the hardest to get, as employers are always uncertain whether someone who has not worked overseas before will adapt to working in a new country, so far away from their friends and family. Locations such as the Caribbean are considered ideal for applicants looking for their first international assignment as employers like fresh UK experience, rather than long term expats that are maybe not up to date with recent UK construction practices, etc.

Do I need a Degree or Chartership?

Unfortunately these days, many of the positions Hill McGlynn are asked to recruit for have either a degree or professional chartership as a minimum. This is often either because of a government’s restriction on who they will let work in their country or because the employer’s client insists on a degree qualified technical staff.

However, in many situations this is not always the case. There are many opportunities for those who have either come through the trades or diploma route, - this is often the case in countries that lack people with these backgrounds. However if Hill McGlynn advertise the necessity of a degree, it is normally because this is what we have been instructed by the employer.

What about my Work Permit / Residency / Visa?

Regardless of where you work, it is likely you will need some sort of work permit, residency or visa. The main exception to this is countries within the European Union, where generally if you are a citizen of another European Union country, you are free to live and work elsewhere in the European Union. For other countries, rules differ dependent on location.

For countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, you can apply for work visa’s by going through a ‘Skilled Immigrant Program’ run by the respective governments. For many other locations, your future employer will arrange your entire work permit and visa requirements. For locations such as the Middle East and the Caribbean, you will need employment secured before you can work.

Will my salary be tax free?

Tax differs highly, depending on conditions such as location and nationality.

Within the EU, generally you will be taxed at either UK rates or whichever country you are working in. There is no tax benefits for UK residents working within the EU.

Outside of the EU, the rules can seem complicated, but simply put, the tax you will pay depends on where your employer is based, where you work and whether you’re resident in the UK. Residency in the UK is defined as “if you’re in the UK for 183 days or more in a tax year, you’re a ‘resident’ for that year for tax purpose. You’re also treated as a resident if you’re in the UK for an average of 91 days or more in a tax year (worked out over a maximum of four consecutive tax years)”

If you’re not resident in the UK for tax purposes, you won’t pay UK tax for work done overseas (but it may be taxable in another country). The UK has ‘double taxation agreements’ with many countries to make sure you’ll only pay tax in one country. Some countries are ‘Tax Free’ so as long as you comply with UK residency rules, you will be tax free. The majority of the Middle East is like this – locations such as Dubai have no income tax, which is why it is such an attractive location.

Source: www.direct.gov.uk

How much can I earn?

Over the last 10 years, salaries on offer overseas have come more in line with salaries available in the UK. For the more recognised locations such as Dubai and the Caribbean, you are likely to get salaries very similar to British levels, but there maybe extra benefits such as accommodation & flights. For quite a while, schooling benefits have been on offer for only the most senior of candidates, but this is beginning to change. Many employers are now offering “All In” packages to cover everything from basic salary to accommodation & flights.

The main exception to the above is for remote or camp locations. These positions are likely to be on a single status only, due to as the name suggests, being in the middle of nowhere.

For these positions, the package is split down into a basic salary and everything all found, from accommodation, however basic, to food & utilities. The main reason people take these types of positions is that they can command higher salaries – often the only reason to go to some of these locations, as they can be dangerous and you are certainly not likely to be hanging out at the beach on the weekend!!!

Do I need to speak another language?

The majority of worldwide construction projects have contracts written in English and hence language is not typically a major barrier to getting an international job for UK residents.

It is only across Europe and in places such as South America that languages become a barrier to working. For jobs in these locations, it is normally specified when additional languages to English are needed. When more than one language is needed, this will mean that applicants will need to be able to speak the language to a business or technical level to qualify. Being able to “order a pint of beer” or “buy a loaf of bread” is not really a strong enough capability.

Company Registration No.1275025, Place of Registration: England. Registered Address: 26-30 Upper Marlborough Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3UU

Information on Hill McGlynn winning the 'Best Technical Recruitment Firm' award