I have enjoyed visiting different parts of the country but in a few months I want to be back at work and my initial thought was to look for a position in the financial sector. This is where I have most experience, especially in terms of financial advice and stock market analysis.
Is it possible for me as a foreigner? Can you give me some advice on how to find and apply for such a job?
That said, I will be happy to work in any capacity as long as it gives me satisfaction - I was also thinking of positions such as a tour guiding or tour manager. Whatever the role and industry, I would prefer to stay in the south of Thailand.
Perhaps you could give me some advice on how to improve my knowledge of local business culture and tips on networking? Do you think it is possible for me to become a marketing freelance and what would be the right way to go about it?
Redgy
Dear Redgy: It is a smart decision to learn the Thai language. Many expats here learn to speak it but few get to grips with the reading and writing of it. Keep going because to be fully conversant in the language is a huge plus when it comes to your employability. You will also find it much easier to understand the culture here and office/business culture in particular if you can use the language with confidence.
With a background in financial advisory (and I'm assuming you have professional qualifications to your name) you could apply to the Big 4 - PwC, E&Y, KPMG and Deloitte - for a position. They all have advisory practices and provide their expat employees with mandatory visas and work permits. These are required by law for any foreigner working in Thailand (no matter the position or nature of business) and are the responsibility of your future employer. In addition to focusing on international financial advisory outfits you should also send your CV to recruitment companies and specify your requirements. This will widen your job-seeking channels.
If you want a move to the hospitality sector there is no limit to your work location. In fact, southern Thailand is a good bet given the number of tourist attractions and visitors. Finance or hospitality industry, you must build up your network of contacts and you can do this by joining various chambers of commerce where events are put on for business networking among locals and expats alike. Check local papers for business seminars and presentations you can attend, dine at international restaurants and pubs where resident expats like to eat and make a few friends. If you play golf join a group at your local course and visit the gym frequently - you'll stay in shape and meet people there.
Regularly read local online blogs by expats and pay frequent visits to websites like http://www.thaivisa.com where there are job seeking options, forums on working in Thailand written by fellow expats and heaps of up-to-date information on visa and work permit requirements.
Remember, basically you can work legally in any profession providing you have a work permit. The bottom line is to find your future employer. If you continue to learn Thai that process will become much easier and you will be very employable. Have you thought about using your language facility for teaching work? If you are fluent in a continental European language, competent using English and able to speak, read and write Thai well then you have the ideal background for a language teacher. Imagine, you could be making a living giving private language tutorials to students on a palm-fringed beach.
Whichever direction you choose, put yourself about and network. And don't give up on the Thai lessons. Get the language down and you're on your way to a good and productive life in the Land of Smiles.
Sawasdee ka and chock dee na ka!
Munthana
Munthana Thamlikitkul is CEO and managing director at Tricor Outsourcing (Thailand) and Tricor Executive Recruitment. Email Munthana.Thamlikitkul@th.tricorglobal.com.
You can subscribe to free e-newsletters and receive e-mail alerts when other people leave comments in articles after you did. Click here to take full advantage of the alerts!
Keep this article in your social bookmark:
No comments:
Post a Comment