How To Get Job in a Foreign Embassy?

Embassies of all the countries employ 'local staff' of the host nation in order to assist with a variety of jobs. They usually deal with passports, visas, client services, call center for those who wish to travel to that country or countrymen in the host nation. The works needed in embassies can range from simple administrative, drivers, cleaners, press office job, translating etc. to more specialized research, liaising between host government and the embassy. Each embassy is different though their rules are somewhat similar. Usually they hire a citizen of host country or a citizen of the embassy's own country. The basic requirement, as in any other job, is that of a college degree and experience in the related field. However, one of the significant factors is to know the job openings in a timely manner. One can always check the websites of the embassies, call the embassy human resources office, browse through newspapers, and develop contacts who can refer him/her for a job in embassy.

Most of the embassies hire for permanent positions. It becomes quite difficult for the citizen of the host nation to get such permanent positions in an embassy. However, one can always try for a temporary position initially, with the help of related agencies. Many government officers/employees are also deputed in embassies as per the rules of the host nation as well as of the particular embassy. Getting a low level administrative job is always easier here. While doing such low profile job, one comes to know about the tricks of the job as well as develop contacts and friends in the system. All this knowledge and contacts help one to move around for more lucrative jobs in embassies.

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Fast Changing Job Market- The Recession Surveys 2009

You have been worrying about handling a possible layoff and might be keeping an eye on the happenings in the job market. Not only you, market itself is vigilant on the issue. Many surveys have been conducted in the past few months to gauge the impact of recession on the Indian job market. Its amazing to know how fast the scenario of job opportunities are changing! See it for yourself.

February 2009- India, the safest employment destination

A survey by Hewitt, an HR consultancy firm, predicted in February that salaries would continue to rise at an average of 8.2% in 2009. It further said that India was one of the safest options for employments because only 16% of the Indian companies were considering layoffs as an option whereas 55% of the US companies and 30.6% of the Chinese companies were considering layoffs as the most viable option. The survey also projected that about 60% companies were still thinking of hiring new employees. 9 out of 10 companies were also giving promotions to the right candidates. It placed Healthcare sector among the top five sectors for 2009.

April 2009- Recruiters say no layoffs but freeze fresh hirings

Then came the survey report of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) which said that most Indian companies were against layoffs but they had also stopped fresh hirings and staff incentives with a curb on outstation travel for executives. The information technology and outsourcing, which were the booming sectors of the past, had become more conservative with 84% recruiters stating that there will be no more hirings.

July 2009- Recruiters positive about adding new jobs

And now comes the latest report of the survey conducted by Naukri.com which has brought some relief by stating that 44% of recruiters predict addition of new jobs. Further, 37.5% of them have anticipated replacement hiring while 13.4% expect a freeze. However, a small 4.6% recruiters still anticipate layoffs in 2009. The hiring scenario of industries such as pharma & medical, construction & engineering and telecom is positive where over 50% of the recruiters are planning to create new jobs during 2009. About 15% recruiters from IT industry indicated that there is no possibility of recruitments during the year, while 4% went off to say that there would be layoffs. The worst case is that of ITeS where over 8% recruiters indicated layoffs during the year 2009.

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