Heading overseas to work can be a fantastic experience. Not only will it allow you to get to know some fascinating countries and cultures but it can really enhance your CV!

Before you get too excited though – make sure you’ve really thought it through. There’s so much to consider before you make the move so ask yourself the following questions before you commit to anything:

What will it add to my CV?

• Working abroad requires initiative and self-reliance to make it a success. As long as you can show you’ve used your time wisely employers will look upon it favourably.
• It shows the ability to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• It gives you a different perspective of how other people live as well as different political situations or working practices.

What do I need to think about before I decide to go?

• What do you want to get out of this placement? What are your reasons for doing it? How will it develop your career/skills? Make sure working abroad is a definite career move and not just for a change of scene and better weather.
• Do you have time to organise it? There's a great deal to consider if you're thinking about working abroad – make sure you've thought it through and have left yourself enough time to prepare.
• What kind of role are you looking for? Is it just a few months, a year or longer? The length of time you’ll be away affects the type of preparation you’ll need to do.
• Where do you want to go? Before you say 'I don't mind' do some research on possible countries and give yourself a reality check – could you cope with the climate? Would the cultural difference be too great for you? Would you really be ok moving somewhere across the other side of the world or would you be happier living somewhere you could pop back home occasionally? If you're at the research stage Lonely planet is a great basic guide to get you started.
• Once you've decided where you want to go, step your research up a level to make sure there are no surprises when you get there. You need to be aware of any cultural differences you might encounter, especially those that apply to working practices.
• Is the salary enough? Part of your research should involve obtaining an estimate of the cost of living in your destination country and checking that the role you're considering will cover it. Find out if your wage can be paid into your UK account or if you’ll need to open a temporary one abroad. If you’ll be using your card abroad it’s worth contacting your Bank to let them know where you’ll be and for how long.
• Will your prospective employers arrange accommodation for you? If not then are there any arrangements for temporary accommodation while you look for something more permanent? Are there restrictions on the type of housing non-nationals can rent? You need to consider all these before you move abroad.
• Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, visa and credit card numbers. While you're away carry one copy with you and separate from the originals and leave one copy with someone back home.

Do I need to speak another language?

• In most cases no. Large international companies in particular will probably not require you to speak any other languages. As a matter of courtesy, and to help yourself settle in more quickly, it's worth at least learning the basics of the local language and trying to speak it as much as possible once you're out there.
• If you are interested in learning a language Cactus and Rosetta Stone have some really effective courses.

Where can I go?

• As an EU national you have the right to work in any EU member state. However, other factors will come into play here – if the country you want to work in has a high rate of unemployment you'll obviously find it very difficult to find work there.
• For non-EU countries the general rule is – you'll only get a job if there's a shortage of nationals who are able fill the role. In countries with a high output of finance graduates you'll find it very difficult to secure a job.
• Most countries that require you to have a work permit will only issue them if you have a job to go to. It's very risky to just head abroad hoping you'll just find a job – don't do it. For more information on obtaining work permits take a look here.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has country specific advice and should be your first port of call when you're deciding where to go as it lists any areas that may not be safe.

Any advice for while I'm there?

• Keep an eye on the job market back home so you've got an idea of what you might do when you get back. By taking notice of how various industries and markets are developing or faltering you'll be able to choose the right time to make the move back home.
• Keep a record of the skills, experience and knowledge you've acquired during your time abroad. You need to make sure it's clear to any future employers that working abroad wasn't any easy option but rather a planned decision to enhance your career.
• Keep in touch with your university careers service while you're away. Most of them continue to offer advice for a few years after graduation.

What can I expect when I get back?

• Be prepared for a mix of feelings on your return. Your friends and family may have changed while you were away – just as you will have. Friends who you graduated with may have progressed further on in their careers so be sure to remember the value of what you have achieved.
• If you don't have a job to go back to make sure you've at least arranged appointments with a careers service and some recruitment agencies to make sure you get straight back into the swing of things.

Teaching English abroad is a really interesting way to see the world and develop some useful new skills. As well as allowing you to really get involved in the communities you visit, you’ll also be earning as you go making this one of the less costly options for a gap year.

Here are a few things to consider if you think you’d like to teach:

• Could you really do it? Teaching is a difficult job at the best of times so you’ll need to make sure it’s something you’re really passionate about. As well as the time spent teaching you’ll need to plan your lessons, it can be a big commitment.
• Do you know anyone else who’s taught abroad? The best way to find out if you’d enjoy the experience is to speak to someone who can tell you honestly what you can expect. If you don’t know anyone take a look at The Guardian’s View from Abroad section which has a useful selection of first hand accounts.
• Are you ready to be a student for a while? For most placements you’ll need a TEFL qualification. Cambridge and Trinity are the two main awarding bodies and their entry requirements are Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels. Cactus TEFL has a huge database of course providers and costs, including weekend and online courses.
• If you’re not looking to go back to studying there are placements available that don’t require a qualification. Travellers worldwide has plenty of these placements but bear in mind you’ll have to pay to do them and you won’t be earning while you’re there.
• Would you teach anything other than English? Although most teaching placements abroad are focused on teaching English language you should consider whether you have other skills to share. Projects abroad and Real Gap Year for Grown Ups have a huge list of potential projects and encourage teachers to get involved in other aspects of school life including teaching sports, drama or maths.
• What support is available? If you’re still a bit uncertain about teaching abroad find out what support your placement provider can give you both before you go and while you’re there.

Taking a year out to do voluntary work is a fantastic way to see the world and make a difference at the same time. Even if the work you’re doing isn’t directly linked to your future career most employers will still see it as a worthwhile experience as a lot of the skills you’ll learn (such as team work and project management) will be transferable to other roles.

Here are a few things you’ll need to think about if you’re going to volunteer abroad:

• As with working abroad you need to think carefully about what you what to get out of your time as a volunteer. Do you want to develop your career but make a difference at the same time or are you interested in doing something completely different like environmental work or helping in impoverished communities? Make sure your aims are clear and then start doing some research.
• Get rid of all your illusions – volunteering is hard work. Not only are some projects physically exhausting but you’ll be exposing yourself to some of the harsher realities of the world and you may find it emotionally draining. It’s a fantastic thing to do and all the negatives are likely to be outweighed by the fantastic feeling that you’re making the world a better place – just make sure you’re going into it with your eyes open.
• If you’d like your voluntary work to be more industry specific VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) has a business, management and finance section where you can may find a placement where you can develop your Accountancy and Finance skills.
• If you’d like to do something different with your placement take time to consider what other interests and hobbies you have that you could employ. If you do something you’re genuinely passionate about you’ll find it much easier to cope when the going gets tough.
• Bear in mind that you will have to pay for most placements either straight out or through fundraising – but in most cases this will then cover all your accommodation and living expenses. Generally you will have to pay for your flights yourself.
• Find out what it’s really like. If you know anyone who has volunteered abroad ask them to share their stories with you. Be prepared though - everyone likes talking about their year out and you could find yourself looking through the biggest photo collection you’ve ever seen!
• If you’re a trailblazer amongst your friends then you can always turn to the blogging world for advice. Do-it has a great overseas blog where you can see what other people have done with their placements.
• Make sure you’re going with a reputable company and do some research before you hand over any money.
• Don’t forget – you can volunteer in the UK too! You don’t have to go abroad to make a difference, volunteers are greatly needed here too. This is also a good option if you’re finding the potential costs of going abroad a little overwhelming. If there’s a charity that means a lot to you, why not phone them and see if they have any volunteering opportunities available.

There are hundreds of potential projects you could get involved with. Below are a few useful sites to get you started:

• Working Abroad – This site is mainly focused on conservation work and advertises some very exciting opportunities. Also has some great real life experiences detailing the highs and lows of volunteering.
• i-to-i – These guys have a huge range of projects on the go and are great if you’re after a shorter-term placement.
• ecoteer – This is handy if you’re finding some volunteering projects are a little out of your price range as most of their projects are pretty low cost. They also have a great selection of volunteer stories get you in the mood for travelling.
• Real Gap Experience – You’ll find a massive selection of worldwide opportunities here in three categories: community; conservation and wildlife.
• Do-it.org – Make this your first port of call for UK based volunteering.

So you’ve decided to see the world? Well you’d better get planning and saving!

Not that we’re trying to stamp on your dreams – we’re just giving you a bit of a reality check. Spending a year seeing the world can be a fantastic experience but you need to be super organised to make sure you get the most out of it.

If you’re thinking big then you might want to get a round-the-world plane ticket. Student favourites, STA Travel, can get you started with their ‘round the world trip planner’ which allows you to pick and choose your destinations. Prices start from about £625. Shop around though, as there are loads of sites offering you great deals, and make sure they always quote you the final price – just so there are no surprises later.

When you’re planning your trip around the world make sure to do your research. In particular check the weather for everywhere you want to go so you don’t accidentally arrive somewhere during monsoon season. Gapyear.com has a great ‘beginners guide’ to round the world trips which is really useful if you’ve never been travelling before.

Whatever you’ve decided to do with your gap year there’s some basic travel advice that everyone needs to remember. Here’s a quick list of things you’ll need to think about before you go:

• Check your passport is in date and will still be in date for when you return! Make copies of your passport, take one with you and keep it separate from the original. Leave another copy with someone you trust back home.
• Make sure you’re fully insured. If your travel company has arranged insurance for you take time to read it thoroughly and ensure it’ll cover you for all medical expenses.
• Safety needs to be one of your primary concerns when you go abroad. It can be a really good idea to do a safety course before you go just to prepare yourself for what you need to look out for and give you a bit of confidence before you leave. There are loads of good safety courses out there – Objective Gap Safety runs weekly one-day courses which pretty much cover everything you need to know.
• Your other major priority is your health. Take a first aid kit with you and find out your nearest doctors surgery and hospital as soon as you arrive at your destination. Get a health check before you go and find out if you’ll need any vaccinations for the country you’re visiting – be aware that some vaccinations need to be given to you weeks or months before you go, so don’t leave it too late. Make sure you know your blood type too. For comprehensive health advice for travellers, visit the Department of Health’s website.
• Keep in touch. It’ll be easier to adjust to returning home if you’ve kept in touch with everyone while you’ve been away – just don’t show-off too much and make everyone jealous! The internet makes it really easy to keep in touch, even if you don’t have time to write individual emails you could set up a blog or online journal. Sites like KeepingYouPosted are a great way to record your adventure and let everyone back home know you’re safe.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with people back home so you’ll be contactable in an emergency.
• Make sure you’ve got all the equipment you’ll need but don’t over pack! Gapadvice.org has a checklist you can print out to make sure you’ve got everything.
• As a traveller you have a responsibility to the environment and to the places you travel to. Always consider the effect you might have on local communities and ensure you show respect for local customs and cultures.

More and more employers are now allowing staff to take sabbaticals of up to a year. Taking a break from work to do something that really interests you can give you a whole new outlook on life and helps you return to your job with new energy and enthusiasm.

If you’re considering a change of career taking some time away from work can give you a new sense of perspective and help you decide what you really want to do. Whether you decide to go travelling, do some voluntary work or take a completely different job abroad, a break can actually be a fantastic way to enhance your career.

Before you ditch your job, pack your bags and head for the airport here are a few things you'll need to think about:

• What do you want to get from your career break? Do you want to travel, do some voluntary work or even do some further study? Whatever you do, keep in mind that this is just a break, you'll have to get back to reality eventually and you need to think about how it will impact on your future career and how you will present it to a future employer.
• Consider the financial implications of taking time away from work. If you’re not intending to work for a year you’ll have to come up with a detailed budget to ensure you can afford the break. Make sure you’ve budgeted for a few months longer than you think you’ll need, just in case it takes longer than you anticipate to find a job when you get back. Before you go, arrange to pay all your continuing bills by direct debit.
• Think about ways in which your career break could actually enhance your career. Looking for management experience? Try Raleigh International’s Volunteer Manager scheme. Designed with career breakers in mind you’ll be trained up to supervise younger volunteers on a variety of expeditions and projects. If you’d like to get some experience to help you start a new career Projects Abroad had a range of business experience projects designed to give you practical work experience.
• Take advantage of your experience! Think about the skills and experiences you already have when you’re arranging your trip and find out if your placement/trip organiser can arrange something more tailored to you than the usual student/graduate experience which will allow you more independence and control over the activities you get involved in. Alternatively you can arrange your trip with a company that deals specifically with career breaks such as Real Gap Year for Grown Ups.
• If you've got quite a fixed idea of what you want from a placement abroad it might be worth contacting a site like Personal Overseas Development who allow you some control over your program. As well as allowing you to really make the most of your skills and experience they're one of the few organisers who can accommodate friends and partners.