So you’re home from a study abroad trip. How do you plan to leverage your international experiences in your resume? How do you speak to it in your job interviews?
Whether you studied abroad for a semester or traveled on a faculty-led program with your professor, employers recognize that candidates with experience abroad have gained the global perspective needed to compete in a diverse economy. When employers review resumes and cover letters, they want to know about your educational background, field of study, work experience, and how your unique skill set complements your desired position.
1) Global awareness
Travel can change how you view the world. Speak to your increased global awareness and how travel helped shape your perspective of the world. A thoughtful explanation of your personal growth is evidence of your potential to grow as an employee.
2) Increased independence
Employers look for the confidence and capability to dive into unfamiliar situations and learn from them. Remember a communication and problem-solving experience you had abroad and incorporate it into your interviews. A stressful situation in a foreign country can easily illustrate your creativity or leadership skills.
3) Experiential learning
Describe what you learned and the skills you gained while abroad. For example, you could talk about how foreign business practices in London, Paris and Zurich demonstrate differences in consumer behavior in Europe versus the United States.
4) Foreign language proficiency
Emphasize how your time abroad increased your language proficiency or inspired you to study a new language. Remember: Don’t claim to be fluent in a language if you’re skills are purely conversational.
P.S. In today’s interconnected world there are more international opportunities available than ever before. Below you’ll find some resources to help you locate careers around the globe.
Read more blog posts about the impact of study abroad here.
