How to get onsite or abroad opportunity from IT jobs in India in 2023?
Even if we know at least 5 different people in our circles who got an opportunity to go on-site at their IT job, very few seem to know how to go about it. Now-a-days engineering graduates join IT companies in India with dream-filled eyes waiting for the opportunity to go on-site/abroad seeing their peers/relatives/friends having gone through the same route.
Now, the debate about whether or not it's great or not to go onsite is an entirely different topic. Ask any average *fresher* guy if he wants to go abroad as a part of his job and you would get a cheerful nod for an answer. The other day I was discussing about this with one of my friends in IT companies and she said she just doesn't know how so many of her friends got to go onsite within just 1.5 years of joining the company. She was asking if someone could give her advice about how to *increase her chances* of getting on-site as soon as possible. What kind of projects/domain/technology she should choose to keep up with the demand of the rapidly changing scenario?
Since we have many people from IT companies here, I thought of inviting views from fellow CEans. What would you suggest? What are your experiences and learning so far? Any comments are welcome.
Update:
How to get onsite opportunities in IT job?
Keep in mind that currently we are going through recession. The US companies are facing a crunch in terms of finance and talent. Onsite opportunities are rare these days and several companies are laying off engineers.
However, situation will improve starting 2024. Which means, you can start preparing your position to be considered for on-site opportunities. Here’s all you can do-
Be in the Good Books of your Manager
Like it or not - your onsite opportunity greatly depends upon your (professional) relationship with your manager.
This is the first step to enhance your chances of getting picked up for an on-site opportunity.
I am making an assumption that there is indeed an opportunity in your project to travel abroad. If there is not; you need to start looking for a project in your company that regularly sends employees onsite.
In general, support projects and banking projects tend to have more onsite opportunities than purely development projects. Yeah, it’s a trade-off you will make for a longer (3+ years) onsite project.
Find a New Job with On-Site Opportunity
These days, finding a job that sends you abroad directly are difficult to find; but not impossible. Negotiate your onsite travel right at the time of interviews with HR.
You will be surprised how HRs open up when negotiating salary offers about onsite opportunities. Make the most out of it.
Proactive Communication and Expressing Interest
Let your manager know that you want to go on-site. This is very basic. Don’t expect your managers to dream about sending you onsite.
When aiming for an on-site opportunity, it's critical to communicate your interest openly with your manager or team leader.
Just being technically proficient may not be enough; your eagerness to take up overseas assignments plays a vital role too.
This is where proactive communication comes in. If you never voice your aspirations, you might get overlooked when opportunities arise, even if you're the most competent engineer on the team.
Honing Domain Expertise and Staying Updated
Now, make it easy for your manager to send you on-site. In the ever-evolving software industry, staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and developments is crucial.
Extensive domain knowledge can distinguish you from your peers and make you a preferred choice for on-site opportunities.
Engaging in activities like publishing articles, participating in tech meetups, or leading knowledge sharing sessions within your company could further showcase your expertise.
Building In-Demand Skills
Having skills in high-demand areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, or cybersecurity increases your marketability.
Companies value employees who possess skills that can bring immediate value to their clients, and they often send these individuals to client locations to manage critical projects.
Adding Value to the Project
Any additional value you bring to a project, outside your stipulated roles and responsibilities, significantly boosts your chances of securing an on-site assignment.
Whether it's developing an efficient code testing framework, a project management tool, or even an Excel macro that eases the team's work, these contributions don't go unnoticed.
They demonstrate initiative, problem-solving skills, and commitment to the project’s success, making you an attractive choice for on-site roles.
Make sure that your client is happy working with you. Try to be the main point of contact for all technical and maybe non-technical issues your client raises. They need to think about you whenever they want to get someone to their office.
Acquiring Certifications and Language Proficiency
Acquiring relevant certifications can give you an edge. Completing advanced competency levels, earning certifications in new technologies, or even undertaking foreign language courses can make you stand out.
Language skills, in particular, can be advantageous, especially if you're targeting countries where English isn't the primary mode of communication.
Being Helpful and Supportive
Your interpersonal skills can significantly influence your chances of landing an on-site opportunity. Being helpful, supportive, and reliable can put you in the good books of your project manager or team leader.
A positive rapport with your team and the ability to effectively coordinate can make you an ideal candidate for an on-site role.