w
orking overseas:
expand your view
There are hundreds of reasons to head
2. What’s another word for communication?
off overseas and work – seeing new A glance at a few job ads will reveal that the
places, sampling new food, visiting exotic
number one non-technical skill employers are
locations and of course earning the $$$
seeking is communication. Irrespective of the
while there to support you. But there
job, industry or even the country, communication
are also a whole host of reasons why
skills will be a key component of your job
description. What better way to showcase your
overseas work can be great for your future
skill in this area than to be able to demonstrate
employment and career prospects. Here
your ability to ‘get by’ in another country,
are some of the the career benefits of
particularly if it is non-English speaking?
working overseas.
1. The global village
Through living and working in
Like it or not, every industry and profession
a foreign place you become
is now, or soon will be, touched by global
more finely tuned to issues of
markets. Employers will increasingly be seeking
employees who have an understanding of global
difference (and similarity), so
markets and how these influence issues such as
capitalise on this when selling
communication of ideas, technology and work
yourself to a potential employer.
practices. The majority of employers understand
the importance of keeping up with new trends,
ideas, skills and information, and they therefore
Think about how you adapted in a work situation.
regard highly employees who can bring new
Did you learn the language? (Demonstrates new
perspectives. OS experience can put you in touch
skill and initiative.) Did you have to find ways
with the latest trends and fresh ways of doing
to make yourself understood? (Demonstrates
things, so use this to your advantage.
adaptability and resourcefulness.) Even if you are
working in an English-speaking country, there
When working OS remain alert to how much you
will be culturally specific forms of language and
can learn each and every day. Be aware of the
communication. Understanding and responding
fact you are operating in a different market and
to these differences demonstrates adaptability
stay conscious of how you could demonstrate the
and emotional intelligence -- qualities valued by
value of this to future employers.
the majority of employers.
As with anything you learn in a work situation, its
value can only be effectively communicated to an
3. Now how do I get out of this one?
employer if you are conscious of what you have
Problem solving is right at the top of the average
learned and can explain this in terms of how it
employer’s wish list. In today’s dynamic, ever-
makes you a ‘value-added’ employee. A good way
changing workplace employers want people who
of describing your experience is to use phrases can solve complex issues in a resourceful way
such as “Gained insight into…’, ‘Successfully without the need to constantly refer to a higher
learned new procedures related to…’ etc. level manager.
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