What professions allow you to consider an international career?

An international career is the dream of many students. There are many jobs that allow you to fulfill this wish. Among them, international trade and business engineering are among the most promising. In addition to the training acquired in the grandes écoles, other skills and qualities are required for a successful international career.

Which jobs usually involve travel abroad?

The list of jobs that involve travel abroad is long. Here are a few professions that stand out from the crowd:

• diplomat. It is a profession that allows you to travel and become a form of ambassador of your country on foreign soil;
• travel guide. He travels to many countries to offer to visit many places in the world, accompanying groups of tourists;
• business analyst. He works in large companies to improve their productivity and to advise them;
• international buyer. He canvasses and finds suppliers abroad;
• export manager. He helps develop his company’s sales abroad.

Can all professions offer international opportunities?

The answer can be affirmative, however some sectors are more promising abroad:

– engineering and maintenance, to offer positions as consulting engineers, business unit managers, engineering and design specialists, design managers;

• computer science, for the professions of programmer, network technicians, webmaster, developer, webdesigner;
• Tourism is a sector that goes hand in hand with international business;
• In the catering industry, many professionals in this field go to work abroad;
• international trade, for positions as buyers, import-export managers, managers, business engineers, prospectors;
• the building industry, for the professions of roofer, site manager ;
• industry, especially in the automotive sector, oil and gas industry.

What skills and qualities are needed to succeed in an international career?

Without a doubt, language skills come first, especially mastery of the English language. Whether the destination country is an English-speaking country or not, you must be able to communicate in English.

Then there are the managerial skills. Depending on the hierarchical rank, managerial skills are very important. You have to make sure you develop your leadership.

On the other hand, there is the organization. Pursuing an international career involves a number of steps, especially administrative ones. This requires good organization.

In addition, there are interpersonal skills. You must be able to deal with others, whether they are strangers or not.

Without forgetting to mention the cultural opening. When embarking on an international career, it is important to make an effort to understand your new environment. Thus, it is necessary to learn to discover cultural practices and good ways to communicate.

How can professionals prepare to work abroad?

Before working abroad, it is important to be well prepared. Thus, a professional can begin to tame the new culture of the country of destination, especially on the social life and social codes.

Language skills must also be strengthened. Also, it is necessary to learn the local language. Having control over it is essential. In addition, there are all the administrative procedures such as visa application, work permit, residence permit, housing search, social and medical coverage.

Also, the preparations should be made no later than 3 months before departure, if the ideal duration is 6 months.

What are the benefits and challenges of working abroad?

Working abroad has many advantages. The most recurrent are:

• improved self-esteem. The realization that it is possible to excel in a totally unfamiliar environment, gives confidence;
• new life skills. Generally, living abroad allows you to gain new skills out of necessity, to help you become more independent and self-sufficient;
• new perspectives on life. Going to live abroad gives you a new perspective on life. Discovering the mentality and approach to life of other cultures helps to enrich one’s own world view;
• good communication skills. Living abroad involves creating new social and professional circles. It is also a good way to improve your communication skills, a skill that is highly valued by employers;
• better language skills. The best way to acquire new language skills is to live in the country that practices the language. Such immersion promotes oral comprehension and production skills;
• more experience on his resume. The existence of international work experience in the curriculum vitae is a real asset. This justifies a high level of adaptability, motivation and determination;
• an expanded professional network. Good relationships with new colleagues help to establish good professional relationships and expand your network.

Updated 21 April 2023