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[jmcn5195]

I'm sure this topic has been discussed on here before but any feedback would be appreciated.  I worked for 1 year in the United Arab Emirates after losing my job at a large US state university and I am currently employed at a university in Afghanistan.  I've been here working in student affairs for almost 5 months.  Whenever I start feeling homesick for the US, will this experience help my resume stand out?  I wonder how people on hiring committees (many who I'm sure have never worked abroad themselves) fully appreciate the overseas experience?  Thanks.

[jmcn5195]

Long day...that was supposed to read "Does Working Abroad..."  not Workings.

[larryc]

What kinds of positions are you seeking?

At both of the institutions where I have worked your international experience would be considered a definite plus, particularly since you have American experience as well.  You current location however would be problematic when it came time for campus interviews.

[jmcn5195]

I would be looking for Assistant Director or Assistant Dean positions after I have completed at least 1 year here.  The turnover here is pretty quick so a promotion to Director of Student Affairs here may be very soon.  Yeah of course the campus interviews would be a hassle.  What do you think search committees would do in that case?

[charlesr]

I am not an administrator, so take this for what it's worth.  Unless you said that you would be returning to the US and would be available to interview after a certain date, my state university would probably not consider your application.  I cannot imagine us flying someone from overseas to interview when there are lots of domestic candidates.

[notaprof]

If you were to be involved in international education (i.e. study abroad or working with international students) your experience might be considered a plus. 

As for the interview problem, I don't think a college would have funded the full flight for international travel but they would have paid a portion and for the hotel stay etc. if you said you would only expect domestic flight compensation.  I don't think that will be the problem with you getting a job, but losing a job a year and half ago could still prevent you from being considered in many places depending on the reason you lost your job.  Leaving voluntarily to take a job overseas is very different from losing a job and having a job in Afganistan, after a short stay at another job, is a pattern that many search committees might raise some red flags for people.  You would need to explain something in your cover letter so that search committees don't make up their own version.

[categorical]

I haven't found it to be an asset. 

[alpha_bet]

Wouldn't saying you'd be returning to the US and be available for interviews also raise red flags?
I mean, if you have a job in Afghanistan, what are you doing in the US?

[higherednomad]

I've been having the same concern.  I worked in Student Affairs for several years in the USA.  I had a great job for 4 years, but decided to take a risk and take an opportunity to work at a university abroad.  I've been here for about 6 months, and whereas I love living abroad, the university and the job are definitely not a good fit for me.  I'm thinking about leaving my position in July, but I'm worried that only 9 months here might look really bad on my resume.  So do I stick it out for at least a year or do I take the risk and give my notice?

[stickball]

I've lived and worked overseas two different times in two very different locations.  Both times I've been able to find gainful employment back home in the US when I wanted it.   The new employer footed the bill for interview travel on one of those searches, so you have a 50-50 shot.  The other interview was a Skype interview, followed by a campus visit that I paid for while traveling in the US anyway.  I was an administrator, not a faculty member.

I think working anyplace less than one year will not help your future job search; stay at least a year.