10 Entry-Level Jobs Abroad for Americans: Work Abroad With Little to No Experience

Living and working abroad for the first time can be intimidating. However, the benefits far outweigh the initial fear or uncertainty you’ll experience. The opportunities to expand your perspective, grow into a global citizen, and gain unique international work experience are just a few advantages that can come out of working abroad.

We've narrowed down the 8 most popular entry-level international jobs for first-time expats! Keep reading to learn about some of the opportunities available, average salaries, and where to go to find the best jobs abroad for Americans and other English speakers.

While it's absolutely possible to land a job abroad as an American with no experience, it's not exactly simple. The biggest hurdle Americans and other expats face is finding a visa they qualify for that allows them to work legally in another country. Employers abroad generally don't sponsor work visas for entry-level positions because these jobs are easily filled by citizens.

However, seeking a job abroad with no experience on a working holiday visa or student visa, for example, means the hardest part is done. Once you have your work permission sorted, all you need to do is print your CV and hit the pavement!

In order to legally work abroad, you’ll likely need some sort of visa. It’s generally pretty difficult to get visa sponsorship for entry-level jobs, so here are some alternatives to consider if you’re set on finding job opportunities abroad without experience.

• Working holiday: The US has partnerships with 6 countries through a working holiday visa. Requirements vary by country but generally, they stipulate that US citizens aged 18-30 can work and live abroad for up to a year. Four of the 6 eligible countries are English-speaking countries, meaning there is an abundance of overseas jobs for Americans without foreign language skills.
• TEFL: Many popular teach abroad countries make it super simple to obtain a visa. Whether you’re issued a specific TEFL teacher visa or a work permit tied to your school, thousands of Americans successfully go abroad to teach English every year.
• Au pair: Established programs in many countries across the world support aspiring au pairs in getting a visa to work in childcare abroad.
• Student: Popular countries like the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Japan allow students to work part-time while studying. Some even have specific visas for graduates so you can stay in the country to seek full-time work after your program ends.
• Research : If you’re a recent graduate interested in continuing your research abroad, quite a few countries (Germany, for one!) support the movement of international researchers through specialized short-term visas.
• Intern: Lots of internships abroad are unpaid but you can still find opportunities to make some cash that will also get you a visa to do it legally.

• Best countries for teaching English: China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Spain
• Average salary: $1,100-$3,000 a month
• Common benefits: housing, health insurance, flight reimbursement
• How to get started: Earn a TEFL certificate and apply to a teach abroad program or connect with a recruiter

Teaching English abroad is one of the most common job opportunities abroad without experience for Americans. As English continues to grow in popularity around the world, countries in nearly every region of the globe have an increasing number of EFL jobs. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching career, you can find a position that is perfect for your experience and qualifications. If you’re looking for a short-term teaching or summer gig, there are opportunities for you, too!

Before you begin applying for ESL teaching jobs, research the requirements for the country you aspire to work in. Additionally, whether or not it is required, a TEFL certification will help you be prepared for the job.

Read more: Which Countries Pay the Highest Salaries for Teaching Abroad?

• Best countries for hostel work: Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Ireland
• Average salary: usually unpaid in exchange for free housing
• Common benefits: free housing, flexible schedule
• How to get started: Network in person or browse sites like our international job board or Workaway

Hostels are travel life-savers. Typically a more casual version of a hotel that is designed for young people, most hostels will have lounges, a bar, and a communal kitchen or restaurant in addition to their rooms.

During peak tourism months, hostels look for additional staff to work reception, wash dishes in the restaurant or bar, and help with housekeeping. In terms of international jobs for Americans, many of these positions tend to be work exchanges, meaning that you’ll receive free housing in exchange for a certain number of working hours. Some part-time unpaid positions may lead to paid full-time gigs over time.

Read more: Live and Work Abroad in These 10 Affordable Countries Under $1,300 a Month

• Best countries for tour guide work: Italy, Spain, Japan, New Zealand
• Average salary: base salary of $8-$15 an hour + tips
• Common benefits: possibility of free meals on longer tours
• How to get started: Search for job opportunities on websites of tour companies that operate in your city of choice or network in person

If you've ever studied abroad with an independent program provider, you likely had several tour guides while out on excursions. Tour guides are experts on specific regions and attractions – whether a guide to the Louvre, Tiananmen Square, or the Sahara Desert, guides need to communicate the wonder of a place to their assembled audience.

These jobs tend to be on a freelance basis and despite the base pay, mostly run on tips. While the income can be uncertain at times, being a freelancer gives you more flexibility in scheduling and no limit to your earning potential.

• Best countries for au pairing: Australia, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland
• Average salary: $300-$1000 a month
• Common benefits: free housing, three meals a day, monthly stipend, health insurance
• How to get started: Choose a location, then apply for an au pair program through a provider, who will pair you with your host family.

Au pairs are young adults who live with a host family abroad, taking care of the children in exchange for full room and board and a monthly stipend. If you have a background in education or childcare or just love kids, then becoming an au pair could be your ticket to an exciting life abroad. Most countries have a maximum age limit of 30 for hiring au pairs.

Au pairs are responsible for childcare and other tasks such as light cooking or cleaning. Overall an au pair should feel more like a contributing member of the family, than the hired help. Although the monthly au pair stipend tends to be low when compared with other paid positions, the free housing and meals will allow you to live comfortably and explore the local area on your days off.

Read more: The Complete Guide to Au Pair Jobs in Europe

• Best countries for cruise ship work: US, UK, Norway, Italy
• Average salary: varies by position
• Common benefits: free room and board, health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave
• How to get started: Search for job opportunities on the career pages of major cruise lines, like Disney, Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity

Cruise ships are enormous glittering cities at sea. Full of restaurants, spas, casinos, retail stores, and more, there's virtually no job you can do on land that doesn't exist on a cruise ship. Personal trainers, massage therapists, doctors, nurses, hospitality workers, lifeguards, waiters, chefs, performers, and plenty of cashiers are all needed on board.

Depending on the type of cruise, specific specialized jobs will also be featured on board. Disney Cruise Lines hires certified youth counselors while some retiree-focused cruise lines have investment portfolio managers aboard.

Read more: 11 Best US Companies to Work for Abroad

• Best countries for hospitality work: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada
• Average salary: $10-$20 an hour
• Common benefits: free or discounted meals, health insurance, paid holidays and sick leave
• How to get started: Ensure you meet the requirements to secure your Working Holiday Visa then apply in person or online to jobs in your chosen city. You can also apply directly through a Working Holiday Program, that may guarantee you a job placement in a hospitality role.

Servers, chefs, hosts, and front desk receptionists are some of the positions available in hospitality abroad. While some countries hire seasonal English-speaking hospitality workers to assist during peak times, destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada offer year-round opportunities through their working holiday visas.

Working holiday agreements exist between the US and seven other countries but if you’re not from the US, your country probably has this program, too. Most visas are valid for a year but can be renewed and allow holders to apply for any job they’re qualified for across the country. Hospitality jobs are a great option because they’re plentiful and they often allow you to work abroad with no experience.

• Best countries for research fellowships: Germany, UK, the Netherlands
• Average salary: $2,500-$4,000 per month
• Common benefits: health insurance, travel allowance, mentorship
• How to get started: Complete your degree, then seek out research fellowships, research consortiums, or organizations like DAAD

If you're a student or recent grad, you may consider pursuing a research position abroad. Internships or fellowships are typically geared toward master's or PhD students but sometimes positions are available for bachelor's-level graduates. You can pursue paid experience working on research projects in a variety of fields, although the most popular are within science, engineering, and biomedicine.

As a researcher abroad, your duties will vary by project but you can generally expect to engage in tasks like data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and report writing. You'll be part of an international team whose working language is usually English. If you're motivated and have a good track record of student research, these competitive positions are a great way to experience living abroad while furthering your career.

• Best countries for seasonal work: Australia, New Zealand, Canada
• Average salary: $2,500-$4,000 per month
• Common benefits: housing
• How to get started: Apply in person at local farms or consult your working holiday program coordinator for tips on where to look online

Seasonal jobs are the perfect type of work to pursue on your working holiday. They're usually temporary and easy to jump in and out of while you travel. Positions are available for those without experience as well as people with specialized skills.

If you aren't an experienced and/or credentialed skier, surfer, or diver, you can always seek out paid work in agriculture. From picking produce to helping make wine, there are ample opportunities if you like to be outside and aren't afraid of hard work.

• Best countries for program leaders: Costa Rica, UK, Spain, France
• Average salary: varies by length of program and location
• Common benefits: room and board, transportation
• How to get started: Browse opening on popular study abroad providers like CIEE, GVI, and AIFS Abroad or other educational travel programs like Putney Student Travel and then apply online

Many study abroad, volunteer, and internship providers hire program leaders to accompany students or support participants overseas. Positions can be short-term or permanent jobs based abroad. These types of opportunities are perfect if love international education and want to help others see the world.

Study abroad program leaders generally chaperone students on their trips, organize and execute excursions and outings, and act as mentors to guide students who are homesick or facing other challenges. If you work as a program leader on a volunteering or internship program, you'll typically be responsible for overseeing operations, coordinating the nuts and bolts of the program, and leading orientations for incoming participants.

• Best countries for digital nomads: Croatia, Greece, Costa Rica, Portugal
• Average salary: varies by position
• Common benefits: tax breaks, flexibility in schedule and location
• How to get started: If you have a fully-remote job, just get the proper digital nomad visa!

The rise of digital nomadism means more opportunities worldwide for those with an existing contract or steady freelance income. Digital nomads commonly work in web and graphic design, freelance writing, photography, and programming. Digital nomads can work anywhere they have an internet connection, which more and more means anywhere on Earth.

Since you already have a job, the most important consideration is getting a visa that will allow you to legally work abroad. An increasing number of countries are approving visas specifically for digital nomads that come with tax benefits and the possibility of eventually establishing permanent residency or even citizenship.

Read more: 14 Best Digital Nomad Jobs - Travel & Work From Anywhere!

Finding jobs abroad for English speakers takes a bit of work but luckily, you can begin your search on GO. Here are some places to start:

• Job boards: the GO job board is a good place to find opportunities listed by employers around the world.
• Program providers & recruiters: if you’re looking for jobs teaching English or au pairing, there are organizations that match you with employers or families and help you through the visa process.
• Instructor training: want to be a sport and fitness instructor but don’t have the right credentials? Training programs sometimes offer job placement once you complete the course. Become a PADI-certified diver or an adventure guide abroad!
• Work exchange programs: although unpaid, work exchange programs provide room and board in exchange for a certain number of hours of work a day. An example of a common work exchange is WWOOF.
• Local expat groups: websites like Facebook are great for connecting expats in specific geographic areas. These groups can help you to learn about job opportunities, network with other expats, and advertise your services.

Don’t let the job search discourage you! It can be trickier to find a job abroad than it is to find one locally, but it’s important to stay focused on the goal: an exciting life and career abroad!

Read more:

• Guide to Moving Abroad: Live Overseas as an Expat
• 10 Exciting Jobs Abroad for Couples

Reconciling your love for travel with your need to make money can be challenging. However, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. The above entry-level international jobs for Americans are attainable options to live abroad without going broke. Start applying today and you could be packing your bags tomorrow as a first-time expat!