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Helpful Hints When Applying for a Job in another country

l. Remember that most employers prefer to take on a person to work for the whole of the season, rather than several people to work for shorter periods. If you are able to work for longer than the minimum period quoted, you are more likely to be offered the job.

2. Most employers like to make their staff arrangements in good time so try to apply early, but never earlier than the date mentioned in the job details or later than the closing date for applications, if given.

3. If more than one job seems to be suitable, apply for both or all of them.

4. Make sure that you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. Check minimum age and work period requirements and any special qualifications needed, particularly if a good knowledge of another language is called for.

5. Compose a short letter, explaining which position interests you, when you are available and why you think you are suitable for it. If possible type this letter, if not, take care to see that it is legible.

6. Try to address the potential employer in his own language. It is not only polite to do so, but there is a possibility that he is unable to speak English.

7. Enclose with your letter a standard resume', covering the following points and any other details you consider relevant:

i. Personal details (name, address, nationality, age, date of birth, marital status).

ii. Education (brief details of type of education, examinations passed).

iii. Special qualifications, especially when they have some relevance to the job in question, e.g. canoe instructor's certificate, typing speeds or fluency in another language.

iv. Previous work experience, especially of similar type of work.

& Enclose a small, recent photograph of yourself.

9.Employers are more likely to reply promptly if you enclose an international reply coupon, available at any post office. This will not guarantee a reply, but it will make one more likely.

10. When a job is offered to you, check details of wages, hours and other conditions of work with the employer. Please note that wages are normally quoted in £ sterling or US$ but will usually be paid in foreign currency: exchange rates may vary. The details given in a Job Posting may have been supplied by the employer and will normally be correct, but it is wise to obtain written confirmation of them before taking up the position. You should insist that you receive a contract of employment before you set off for your job if the journey involves any great expense, or if the employer seems at all vague about the details of the work you will do.

II. When you are offered a job please confirm acceptance with the employer as quickly as possible.

12. If you are offered more than one job, decide quickly which one you prefer and inform both of your decision as quickly as possible.

13. Make certain you have current, uptodate and correct work permits/visas or official documents needed to work in your selected country of employment

Working Abroad - The Tourism Industry in Europe

Introduction

Tourism plays a major role in the economy of a country. A broad look will be taken at a few European countries to get a better impression of its importance. The countries taken into account for this study are: Austria, Belgium, France, the province of Saxony in Eastern Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Each country has its assets which it uses to attract tourists, whether it be the mountains, the lakes, the thermal spas, or the cities themselves.

The National Structures

• In Austria, the "Austrian National Tourist Office" (ANTO), regulates the marketing activities of the tourism industry. At the provincial level, the tourist boards and provincial governments manage tourism.

• In the United Kingdom, the British Tourist Authority and the Regional Tourist Boards support and promote the development and success of the tourist industry.

• The Swiss Tourism Federation (STF), the Federal Office of Economic Development and Employment, and the tourism group of the Federal Chambers, legislate tourism on a national level in Switzerland.

• For the Saxony area in Eastern Germany, the regional tourist association and the Elba Tourist Association have contributed to the increase in overnight accommodations.

• Promotion outside France is made by Maison de la France (French National Tourism Bureau). Promotion in France is made by CRT ( Comités Régionaux du Tourisme or Regional Tourist Boards), CDT ( Comités Départementaux du Tourisme or Departmental Tourism Boards), and the OTSI ( Offices du Tourisme et Syndicats d'Initiative or Municipal Tourism Boards).

Economic Significance

 Tourism plays a vital role in a country's economy.

• In Austria, the tourism industry accounted for 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1996. The foreign visitors represented 74.6% of the total overnight stays in 1996, putting Austria among the leaders.

• The tourism industry in France accounts for the fourth largest employment sector in the country. And it is second only to the United States regarding its contribution to the national economy.

• In the UK, tourism accounts for 7% of the nation's jobs and 5% of the GDP. A quarter of the UK’s overseas earnings can be attributed to tourism. It ranks fifth in the World Tourism Organisation’s league table of international earnings from tourism. The expected new job creations during the next decade could increase the economic impact of tourism to reach a 12% share in the GDP. The UK also has one of the lowest labour overheads in the European Union (EU), and the lowest main rate of corporation tax.

• In 1996, foreign tourists in Switzerland accounted for 58% and the tourism industry recorded 5.6% of the GDP.

• In Saxony the number of visitors rose 13% in the first six months in 1997 and has been able to maintain its rank among the ten most popular holiday regions in Germany.

 Trends in Tourism

 The trend is moving toward "quality tourism". Years ago the tendency was to relax during a holiday, today the tourist wants to see something, do something - more indoor swimming pools, more prepared ski slopes and cross-country trails, have been made accessible. Winter tourism is increasing, posing problems for tourist areas which are only able to offer summer-season holidays. Austria’s winter tourism in 1996 accounted for 44.9% of overnight stays, an increase of over 10% from 13 years ago. On the other hand, tourism can play an important, positive role in the area of conservation and environmental factors. The more the tourist wants to be in the outdoors, the more will have to be done to preserve it.

Another effective marketing concept is the package tour. The tourist of today is looking at what "he can get for his money". The tourist is able to budget his holiday better when he knows what he will be getting in his package without too many added expenses. This of course poses a problem for the small to medium-sized establishments who are not able to compete with the extensive packages being offered by the larger hotels.

Eastern Germany welcomed the tremendous growth rates in tourism in 1993. The capital, Dresden, along with many other entrepreneurs saw a chance and began building to get a piece of the tourist industry profits. But, the marketing strategy was badly planned and now the hotels suffer, in some cases, a less than 50% capacity utilisation. Due to this constant increase in beds available, the prices have gone down, and the smaller establishments are the ones that are struggling. Another problem to be to dealt with is the long-term road closures in all regions, often requiring complicated diversions which tend to dissuade the tourists.

Belgium is also suffering due to a change in the tourism industry. The business tourism is decreasing, causing the traditional restaurants, which are more expensive, to suffer. Many tourists are turning to the fast food restaurants because these are cheaper.

In the UK the trend is to diversity away from the reliance upon the traditional family beach holiday to include short ‘out of season’ breaks, activity and theme holidays, and green tourism.

 The Tourism Labour Market

 The labour market plays a significant role in the tourism industry. Qualified employees are in great demand and always able to find employment. But the problems of finding qualified staff in the hotel and restaurant branches are increasing.

It is now becoming necessary to search for staff in other countries. In Austria, in 1996, the percentage of foreign workers was 27% and in Switzerland it was 49%. Due to the seasonal working conditions and the high mobility required, the UK especially, is complaining of serious recruitment and staff retention problems. Another problem derived from this situation is the high rate of staff turnover. The UK employers' reasons are the low status associated with the tourism sector and the lack of interest in the industry. In most countries, female employees account for a high rate in the tourism branch, often as many as 60%. The trend is toward flexible, i.e., part-time work. In the past, not enough was done to improve the level of vocational training. Employers are now reporting that professional staff are hard to find.

 

Vocational Education and Training in the Tourism Sector

 

• In the UK, most young people will enter the tourism industry by getting a job and will be trained at work. Many employers will send trainees to a school or college for part of their training.

Training to be a cook will take at least two years and will cover a range of cooking skills and styles. Trainees in waiting and room service may complete their training in less time.

There are apprenticeships in hospitality and tourism. Apprentices usually take at least three years to complete their training. An apprentice cook, for example, will develop specialist skills and may be expected to take much greater responsibility in the kitchen when the apprenticeship is completed.

Many schools and colleges will offer full time training courses where students can gain skills and qualifications before starting work.

There are many hotel and tourism management courses at British Universities.

• Switzerland's vocational training is made up of three levels: basic, average, and high. The basic level consists of professions subject to an apprenticeship - cook, three years; waitress, two years; hotel assistant, two years. At the end of the apprenticeship the individual receives a federal certificate (CFC). The average level includes hotel schools or higher professional studies. The objective is to expand the theoretical and practical knowledge to the level of staff management. Three occupations include: assistant manager, chef or housekeeper. The duration of the studies vary from one to four years, depending on the school and program. The high level is a master's degree in business management or a prestigious business school diploma. This is offered to senior executives or heads of establishments, relating techniques in direction and management. The courses run for two weeks and are offered by the Swiss Hoteliers Society (SSH). The Hotel School of Lausanne offers business management courses during two six-month periods and participants graduate with a business administation (HEC) diploma.
  

• Belgium offers a variety of programs. A higher education program which lasts for three years and provides the student with access into the hotel industry. Another, alternate education program, allows young people to complete a 20-week course, as well as maintain a part time job or apprenticeship. FOREM, has run a program designed mainly to assist unemployed people, consists of 22 weeks of in-school theory and four weeks practical training in a restaurant.