I lived in Thailand for 7 years. Before moving there I was in software quality assurance. I received an MBA in International Studies from Payap Uni. in Chiang Mai, and worked as a travel writer while living in Thailand.

I am now back in the US and am looking for work. However, I'm not sure how to "incorporate" my living abroad experience into my resume (i.e. how can I show how living in Thailand for 7 years made me a better worker?). I definitely think living abroad gives people a new perspective on life.

Has anyone had any experience moving "home" and then getting back into your workforce?

Any comments appreciated.

Thx

If your an ex Sofware QA guy from 7 years ago you might find it hard getting back into I.T unless you have contacts still in this industry. If want to get into Software testing you should consider doing a IEEE certification course in the States and be honest on your CV. You might still get a foot in the door.

As mentioned above, unless your experience overseas was directly related to your profession, it probably won't help at all. Might even hurt. If it was 7 years here in Thailand of QA, then it might help.

You have to think about who you are competing against. Probably others who are currently in QA positions. Giving them a huge leg up.

GH's comments above seem to be right on. I was here for 2 years then went back to the US. I got a job because of my connections. An IEEE cert program would probably help out a bunch. And network, network, network!!

I think this is better off in the business and jobs forum. So let's move this topic over there.

Thanks for feedback.

I will definitely NOT be going back to software development. Much, much too much work! Days and months of 12 hour days. If I do get back into software, it will be on the business side (e.g. marketing).

I'm just trying to find a way to spin my time in Thailand into a positive when job hunting.

Thanks for feedback.

I will definitely NOT be going back to software development. Much, much too much work! Days and months of 12 hour days. If I do get back into software, it will be on the business side (e.g. marketing).

I'm just trying to find a way to spin my time in Thailand into a positive when job hunting.

Your spin will be determined on what job you are looking for. Right???

What do you want to do?

What were you doing those 7 years? Anything?

"Your spin will be determined on what job you are looking for. Right???"

Yes, the exact reason for the post to begin with. When I left for Thailand, I had 10 good years in software QA at 3 very respectable companies. Got laid off on last job, so went back to uni. for 4 year degree. While in uni., went to Thailand for spring break, so came back to US, graduated with business degree, and then up and moved to Thailand (luckily no house, wife, or kids). Ran a small company and then began writing and selling advertising for big tourist newspaper and magazine (which I did for the entire time in Thailand and still do). Then ran a small Mexican restaurant. Then moved to Chiang Mai, got MBA from Payap and taught Business English at Rachabaht Uni. Moved to BKK to work for 2nd largest marketing firm and taught marketing and Consumer Behavior at Chulalongkorn Uni. international program.

So a bit of eclectic work/experience/education while there. Now just trying to figure out how to bundle it and apply it to a job. Which job? Not sure because not sure what I'm qualified for now. Been here only 7 weeks and the reverse culture shock is still in effect.

I think your best shot is to be self employed. Many, many US corporations and small businesses are hiring part time workers because they are unsure of the ramifications to them of Obamacare. Also, many small business need only part time help.

I'd figure out what I best like to do coupled with what I'm best at, and start selling my services. Once you establish yourself in that way in your field, you can consider whether you want a full time job and you'll have a current CV for it.

Where are you in the US?

Seems your best bet is to focus on marketing of some sort? You might be able to teach at a community college or something???

OP: Most HR/employers only look at the covering letter and a summary of achievements and if interested go deeper into the CV. I suggest on summary of achievements you provide a few brief examples of how marketing projects under your ownership led to provable increased sales.

If you're interested in a marketing role for a software vendor, first of all contact, say 20 vendors, both HR and line of business management to identify if they have any vacancies now or the immediate future & the decision making process. As well contact specialist recruitment agencies as they often have vacancies that are not published and will guide you on how to massage your CV for specific opportunities. I have worked in a number of countries in IT sales and that was a successful approach for me. Also I attended relevant industry events to introduce myself personally, collect business cards and so on.

Have you provided a profile on the likes of Linkedin saying you are seeking employment?

Simple1 looks like a good approach and answer. Looks like software/service marketing is the most suitable. Services are what the big dudes are hot to extend into so might be good target. Get very familiar with Android and integrating such into enterprise systems eg. BYOD.

Luke, I feel your pain. I just returned to the state from Thailand also. I've found that it's useless to apply online. You're better off connecting to people on linked in who work for the company that posted a position. It isn't like the good old days from before the recession. I just found a gig through my alumni.

Neversure, Obamacare wont effect small businesses til at least 2015. In fact, large businesses (50+ employees) were supposed to require coverage as of next year but it was just postponed to 2015. The penalties can be enormous for small businesses, so it's good to keep an eye on this next year.

As far as the penalties for not having insurance they are as follows: 2014 - $95, 2015 - $395, 2016 $695, and it only goes up.

It would be interesting to see if there was a international coverage rider.

"Your spin will be determined on what job you are looking for. Right???"

Yes, the exact reason for the post to begin with. When I left for Thailand, I had 10 good years in software QA at 3 very respectable companies. Got laid off on last job, so went back to uni. for 4 year degree. While in uni., went to Thailand for spring break, so came back to US, graduated with business degree, and then up and moved to Thailand (luckily no house, wife, or kids). Ran a small company and then began writing and selling advertising for big tourist newspaper and magazine (which I did for the entire time in Thailand and still do). Then ran a small Mexican restaurant. Then moved to Chiang Mai, got MBA from Payap and taught Business English at Rachabaht Uni. Moved to BKK to work for 2nd largest marketing firm and taught marketing and Consumer Behavior at Chulalongkorn Uni. international program.

So a bit of eclectic work/experience/education while there. Now just trying to figure out how to bundle it and apply it to a job. Which job? Not sure because not sure what I'm qualified for now. Been here only 7 weeks and the reverse culture shock is still in effect.

There are a number of threads in your career in Thailand which make sense and can be knitted together. You have less to worry about than you think. You have maintained academic development through your completion of both undergrad and postgrad qualifications and one of them in a challenging overseas environment. Secondly you have experienced the real world with your business experiences and thirdly you have demonstrated an aptitude for communication skills in business and marketing which has been recognised in your Thai university appointments. You recognise of course that the US needs more professionals to engage in advancing business links in the developing world and the next stage of your life is to consolidate what you have learned into a more formal business environment back home.

Next...register for a PhD in some aspect of international business. Never mind if you finish at this stage, just get on board and give yourself a 'base' from which you can work outwards. The uni should have a careers office you can tap into at least initially maybe some p/t work. If you are made of 'the right stuff' (and by the way your experience indicates that you are not a dud) you will climb back on board just fine.

I received an MBA in International Studies from Payap Uni. in Chiang Mai, and worked as a travel writer while living in Thailand.

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Well that might get you an interview for a job as a shift supervisor at McDonalds these days.

You don't fit into the "standard" qualifications as a person to hire, and these days anyone outside of the "normal" hire employee standard is just to much of a risk to take .

If I were interviewing you I would read your resume, put it aside, and then ask you directly, "Alright, so then, if I were to hire you, exactly WHAT could you do for this company right now that would make it worthwhile to the company to hire you?"

Could you answer that direct question to an interviewer if asked it?

Even qualified and desirable candidates now are finding it hard to get jobs.

Employers are waiting to hire candidates. They are not hiring even qualified people except for entry level jobs at low pay.

There excuse is that the "economy" is uncertain.

(That's really bullsh_t, but we won't get into the real base structural problems of the U.S. economy.)

So, if you want to get hired you must show the personnel doing the hiring why he or she needs to hire you, and not someone else.