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To keep up with the financial demands of modern times, an increasing amount of people are now sourcing for greener pastures, without leaving their location.
In an economy that has a lid over the extent you can earn locally, the only route is to offer your skills internationally to employers that can pay higher for your services. Foreign employers have found that there is a goldmine of untapped talent in the international labor market and are routinely expanding the limits of their geographical location in hiring the best hands.
In this article, you would learn the jobs that are highly demanded in the foreign labor market and how to carve out a spot for yourself in the respective industries.
Meanwhile, you can find creative jobs in tech when you subscribe to the CareerBuddy Daily Newsletter.
International jobs for creatives
1. Ghostwriting
Unlike what the name suggests, ghostwriting has nothing to do with ghosts. Rather, ghostwriting is the art and act of writing a piece of written text on behalf of someone else who is typically credited as the author while the writer remains anonymous.
Ghostwriters create content such as books, articles, speeches, or other written text. In the text, ghostwriters capture the style, voice, and ideas of the credited author while maintaining confidentiality.
Ghostwriting is commonly employed in various fields like literature, journalism, business, music, and entertainment. We all have consumed ghostwritten content at some point. Many well-known authors, celebrities, politicians, and public figures use ghostwriters to assist them in writing their books as is the case with Michelle Obama's best seller, "Becoming".
Ghostwriting arrangements can vary, and the level of involvement and recognition given to the ghostwriter can differ from case to case. In some instances, the ghostwriter may receive acknowledgment in the form of a "with" or "as told to" credit, while in other arrangements, their role remains completely confidential.
Job Responsibilities
Writing books, articles, blog posts, speeches, scripts, and memoirs
Collaboration with the author by conducting extensive interviews to gather thoughts ideas, and sometimes, the author's own outline or rough draft
Conduct research to gather additional information, facts, or details related to the subject matter
Adapt writing style to match the author's voice, tone, unique perspective, and personality to ensure the final product feels authentic
Maintain strict confidentiality by signing NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) regarding their involvement in the project
Is this the right pick for you?
If you love research, are open to different writing styles, can play many roles, and aren't so keen on getting the attention and credit that comes with the success of your written content, this career may be just the perfect fit.
Getting started
Start off as a content writer by taking extensive training like this Alan Sharpe's B2B Content Writing Masterclass
Build a portfolio around one or several niches, as potential clients will look out for these when hiring.
Establish a daily routine of extensive reading
Regularly explore various writing styles by reading books across genres
After attaining a height of skillful expertise as a content writer, transition to ghostwriting
Getting jobs
Since ghostwriters remain hidden and in the shadow of the author's name, the best way to get your name out there is by publishing content with your name on it. You can write books in your own name just to show off your writing skills. Don't restrict yourself to books, leverage the online space to own a personal blog on platforms like Medium to showcase the extent of your writing skills.
Also, establish a strong social media presence on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to establish your expertise and make it easy for potential clients to reach out to you.
Income
Although income varies based on expertise and reputation, ghostwriters typically earn up to $5,000 by freelancing. There is also additional income from royalties (10% - 30% of sale revenue) if the written text is a book.
2. UI/UX design
The process of creating and enhancing the user interface and user experience of a digital product, such as a website, mobile application, or software application is termed UI/UX design.
UI (User Interface) design concerns itself with designing the elements (toggles, tags, text fields) that make up the point of interaction between humans and computers.
UX (User experience) design focuses on harnessing the elements of the interface to create a system that the end user can easily navigate.
Job Responsibilities
Conduct research on the target audience, their needs, preferences, and behaviors
Organize and structure the content and functionalities of the product to ensure intuitive navigation and easy access to information
Select appropriate color schemes, typography, icons, and imagery to create an aesthetically pleasing interface
Evaluate the usability of the product by observing users as they interact with the prototype or the actual product
Gather feedback, make improvements, and iterate on designs until a near-perfect final product is realized
Is this the right pick for you?
If you're creative in the arts and can effectively create systems from features, there is a high chance that you're well suited to a career in UI/UX design.
Getting started
Undergo a course in the rudiments of UI/UX design to gain dexterity. In addition, take a course in marketing. UI/UX design is ultra-focused on the end user. Basic knowledge of marketing will enable you to fulfill the desires of the users.
Getting jobs
It all starts with creating a work portfolio to showcase your skill to potential employers. As you start out, aim for small gigs over a full-time position on freelancing sites like Upwork. After freelancing in small gigs and reinforcing your skills for about 4 months you can start to aim higher.
A premature launch into the job market can be fatal for your career. The UI/UX design industry is extremely competitive, and at the slightest under-delivery, you could get dropped. It may be extra difficult to secure another role because word gets around fast.
Income
Although this differs from employer to employer, UI/UX designers can expect to make an average of $800 per month.
3. Copywriting
Copywriting is salesmanship in text. It is the art of carefully crafting words that strike at the heart of a target audience to compel them towards a buying action.
Job Responsibilities
Conduct research to gather relevant information about the target audience, market trends, competitors, and product/service features
Create written content that is clear, concise, persuasive, and tailored to the target audience
Create customer avatar to aid effective targeting
Adhere to brand guidelines and maintain consistency in tone, voice, and style throughout all written materials
Is this the right pick for you?
If you love psychology and possess the desire to take on the role of a puppet master, pulling strings and tugging at the hearts of potential customers to make them do biddings that favor all parties involved, in a few months from now, your LinkedIn profile can bear the tag "copywriter".
Getting started
Take an intensive copywriting course to get in-depth knowledge about consumer psychology, research, and copy structures.
The work of a copywriter is enmeshed in a bigger marketing campaign. Acquire more knowledge through courses about SEO and digital marketing to strengthen your skills and become attractive to employers.
Additionally, immerse yourself in knowledge from persuasion psychology books. The core of copywriting is persuasion.
Getting jobs
It is always advisable to get a coach or mentor. Since copywriting is a subset of marketing, coaches can help you create a portfolio of samples in line with mock marketing campaigns to make potential employers (who would most likely be the head of marketing at a company) understand how you fit into a marketing agenda.
Income
As a copywriter with decent skill levels, expect to earn about $1,000 by selling your skill in the international job market.
Conclusion
The existence of digital media has broken borders. Now, you can network with other professionals, send applications, secure jobs and make a decent living out of nothing but your skills.