Working overseas: expand your view
Working OS demands regular problem solving. worth maintaining and nurturing, as you will
New systems, unfamiliar terminology, even no doubt have opportunities to utilise them as
different workplace cultures can present all your career progresses. International networks
manner of challenges. How do you deal with are just as important as local ones. With the
t!
these? Initiative and resourcefulness; common wonderful web there is no excuse for losing
o
r i
sense; careful observation; openness to new touch with OS friends.
GO f
information, and not being intimidated.
7. A résumé to die for
4. Stretch and be flexible Your résumé should make you stand out as a
Closely connected to problem solving is
prospective employee with a great deal more
flexibility. Again, the majority of employers are
to offer as a result of your OS experience.
seeking employees who not only readily adapt
However, it is not enough to simply say you have
to new situations but who actively embrace
worked OS -- you need to paint a picture for the
change. To have worked and/or travelled OS
employer by giving concrete examples. You will
demonstrates loudly and clearly that you are a
need to show how your OS-derived skills (and
person who actively seeks change, that you are
knowledge) are applicable in the workplace.
not afraid to move out of your comfort zone and
that you seek new situations and challenges.
8. Great interview stories
They’ll like you already!
Your interview skills should be greatly enhanced
as a result of OS experience. Employers are
5. “When in Rome…”
increasingly utilising the technique of ‘targeted
A global marketplace requires a good
selection’ -- where you are asked to demonstrate
understanding of other people and cultures.
certain skills by way of example. OS experience
Language, customs, politics, religion and
gives you a huge amount of material to draw on
business etiquette are just some of the areas
in these situations. Most people are interested
which can have an impact on global business in other countries and travel; being able to relate
relationships, which is why employers value your experiences in an overseas context will
people who demonstrate awareness of, and make you sound impressive. Interviewing (like
respect for, cultural differences. OS experience résumé reading) can be tedious for interviewers
cultivates just this kind of awareness and
who may see a succession of candidates with
appreciation. Through living and working in a
similar backgrounds. An interviewee who can
foreign place you become more finely tuned to
draw on examples from OS will not only give a
issues of difference (and similarity), so capitalise
more interesting interview but will also be more
on this when selling yourself to a potential
memorable.
employer. In conclusion, have fun and enjoy yourself OS
– you’ll be doing your career, as well as yourself,
6. It’s not what you know…
a big favour!
There is no doubt that networks play a huge role
Article by graduate recruitment expert Di Rachinger,
in how business gets done around the world.
Graduate Careers Australia.
‘It’s not what you know but who you know’ is
perhaps a truer adage now than ever before.
The contacts you develop while working OS are
www.graduateopportunities.com | 19
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88