I'm an experienced marketing and advertising executive who has worked for several multinational companies. I'm Romanian and recently moved to Germany after my husband, a category manager, was transferred. I enjoy working in multicultural environments where people work together towards a common goal. Could you please give me some advice on how to find a job in Germany? I'm open-minded and willing to start a new career if I cannot find something in my field.

Adriana, Mannheim, Germany

The good news is that you possess the exact qualities that will make your job hunt in Germany (or anywhere else, for that matter) a success: you're open to new possibilities, you aren't afraid to work hard and you enjoy the challenge of working in a culturally diverse environment. These traits, coupled with your husband’s good job, will allow you to take the time to pursue just the right opportunity.

A job search in Germany isn't very different than in your home country, except you first must make sure that your work-permit documents are in order. Once you've taken care of these, the same job-hunting principles you used at home apply. You must first define your target. In your case, be very specific about what you're looking for in the marketing/advertising arena. Then find the person with the power to hire, and tell them what you can do for them.

It's a greater challenge to job hunt when you don’t have a network of contacts and connections. However you're more likely to take risks you may otherwise never take at home.

You might find it helpful, for emotional support and inspiration, to locate other transplanted Romanians in your new city. Contact your embassy for information about other Romanians and find out how they found their jobs and their advice. Remember that the same successful principles you've applied in the past still apply now.

I want to enter the global job market as an expatriate and have just earned a master's in business administration from California State University in international business. I'm 33, and I have a master's degree in commerce and a bachelor's degree in finance and also have 10 years of management experience, most recently with a Fortune 200 company. But I can't seem to find a job. I've already applied to more than 500 employers using online, regular mail and fax.

Enamul, Van Nuys, California

While you certainly have impressive credentials, nowhere do you mention a specific job target. It isn't enough to say you want to work for a Fortune 200 company in senior management, you have to become focused.

First, you must get very specific about the kind of job targets you're pursuing. Clearly define three or four activities in a field where there are between five and 15 companies in the geographical area where you'd want to work. This would give you, at most, 60 companies on which to focus your time and energy.

You also must get very creative and persistent in locating the name of the specific person to approach at each company. Once you have these names, write a short letter of no more than two to three paragraphs to each person and outline what you can do for them. Don't send your resume and don't use adjectives to describe your past achievements. Use only facts and figures to impress them with your qualifications. Establish some method for following up on these letters so your chances of obtaining a face-to-face interview increase.

Someone with your impressive background and education should be able to find a job once you establish this contact and stop using a piece of paper as your ambassador. We do not think the Internet is the best tool for you to use, as the payoff is quite small for professionals such as yourself, as you have seen by having sent more than 500 applications with no response. If you use the Internet, the more specific and customized your application is, the more effective your search will become. You'll fare far better if you use your energy and ingenuity in a more productive way - - and don’t forget to call on your network of contacts to boost the odds in your favour.

Daniel Porot and Frances Bolles Haynes and contributors to CareerJournalEurope.com.

Subject: Expat career tips