HOW DOES WORKING/STUDYING ABROAD LOOK TO EMPLOYERS?

As many recent graduates are discovering, it is becoming harder to land a job right out of school, with one exception: Those students that took the time to work or study abroad during their college education are finding it easier to get hired.

Even if you did not take advantage of study abroad opportunities while enrolled in school, there are still other options you can pursue to beef up your resume and make it look more enticing to potential employers. You could participate in a work-study internship program that gives you on-the-job experience. Some students also take what is called a gap year, where they travel abroad to immerse themselves in different cultures and experiences.

Having international work or study experience tends to be looked at positively by the vast majority of employers. Most recent graduates who have worked or studied abroad and who list this on their resume find potential employers are more inclined to make a job offer because this experience helps set them apart from other job candidates. In fact, many employers consider your time abroad as the initiative to try new things and expand your horizons beyond the United States.

How to Put Travel Experience on a Resume

The first place to start is to decide where you want to go and what type of program you will need. For instance, if you are pursuing a degree in finance, you will want to look into study abroad programs in key cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, or London. Whereas, if you are an engineering student, then exploring opportunities in South America or the Middle East will have greater weight, compared to other areas.

If you have already graduated, talk to your school about possible internship programs where you can work abroad. Again, you want to focus on areas that will help benefit your career. Some employers view work abroad experience in places like China or India as more adventurous, say, than going to Canada or Mexico.

Furthermore, simply having work/study abroad experience on a resume is not always sufficient for certain employers. Rather, they want the job applicant to be able to articulate the value of their foreign experiences and how those will be of benefit to the employer.

What Is Required to Work/Study Abroad

Aside from applying for and being accepting into a work/study abroad program and having a valid passport, you will also require:

• Education and/or a Work Visa – Some countries require these types of visas for educational and work abroad opportunities.
• Foreign Language Classes – You will want to learn the local language to be able to work/study easier.
• International Power Adapter – If you plan on taking electronic devices along with you, you will need the right voltage converters and adapters to use electrical outlets in foreign countries.
• Appropriate Clothing – In some countries, even for entry-level jobs that would be “business casual” here, employees are expected to dress up in suits and ties.

As you can see, you need to be well-prepared before working or studying abroad, but the benefits of spending time in a foreign country as part of your education can pay off once you graduate. For assistance in finding the right power adapters and converters you will need, please feel free to contact 110220Volts at 800-827-9978 today!