What is your International IQ?


You’ve just returned from a fi ve-month internship in Du- shanbe, Tajikistan. You braved a backpacking stint in Uz- bekistan (and survived), and then relaxed for a while in Provence to improve your rudimentary French. You’re now considering getting an MBA, perhaps in Barcelona while learning Spanish, or at Goteburg University in Sweden where tuition is, yes, free! Whatever your specifi c situa- tion, if you are travelling abroad, you’re doing the right thing—augmenting your International I.Q. and paving the road towards an international career.


Just imagine yourself in a few years looking for an inter- national job, applying to study abroad, or selling your skills as an international intern. Below are four categories that will help you understand how international people are diff erent. The insights highlighted here will help you understand what international recruiters are looking for and will help you learn how to join the ranks of those working and living abroad.


Political, economic and geographic knowledge: International people can converse intelligently about international news, world events, multiple countries and their ethnicities. So, if you want to be an international per- son, start travelling and reading up on your world politics and geography.


Knowledge about the international aspects of your fi eld: There is an international aspect to every fi eld of work, to every area of study, to each and every fi eld of interest. If you are going to be international, you need to have a good knowledge of the international aspects of your area of ex- pertise. Learn which organizations work internationally, what the types of jobs are, and what areas of your work have an international application.


Knowing how your specialization is practised in an inter- national setting allows you to focus your education, your job research, your networking contacts and your discus- sions with peers on landing the right overseas job for you. A bit of research will uncover the international aspects of your area: the umbrella organizations, the web sites, the trade magazines and international conferences—all in your fi eld.


Cross-cultural knowledge and skills: International people have the cross-cultural skills and knowledge to be eff ective in another culture. They study the country’s belief systems, modes of behaviour and at- titudes before they arrive. International people are like cross-cultural detectives. They have developed, through experience, the skills to recognise and adapt to new and unfamiliar cultural behaviours.


Personal coping and adapting skills: Can you deal with change? Can you deal with having to eat soup each morning for breakfast, as they do in some


12 : verge RESOURCE SERIES


FIVE TOP TIPS TO PREPARE FORWORKING ABROAD 1 >> The Internet has had an enormous impact and those prepared to surf can make their way through the deluge of information to specifi c job and volunteer listings overseas. For example try anyworkanywhere.com and seasonworkers.com.


2 >> Gather character/job references, a short CV, any potentially relevant qualifi ca- tions (sailing, cooking, computing, fi rst aid) or even do an evening course in your target language or in teaching English as a foreign language. Email copies to yourself so that you can access them anywhere.


3 >> Pack a smart outfi t for interviews, black and whites if you are planning to try for restaurant jobs.


4 >> Since contacts are often the key to success, broadcast your intentions to third cousins, visiting professors or in relevant chatrooms like Lonely Planet’s “Thorntree” and be prepared to follow up leads you are given.


5 >> On arrival, seek advice from expats and fellow travellers. If looking for casual work on farms or trying to fi x up a passage on a transatlantic yacht, for example, a visit to a village pub frequented by farmers, yachties or the local expatriate commu- nity is usually worth dozens of speculative applications and emails from home.


parts of India, instead of sitting down to ham and eggs? Can you sleep in a room with a humming fan, a stifl ing mosquito net, and the constant belching of goats and clucking of chickens just outside your bedroom window?


People who enjoy living and working overseas are adapt- able and tend to embrace challenges. You will face chan- ges in culture, friends, work, climate and food. Therefore, having a sense of adventure, as well as humour, curiosity, and a great deal of patience, is invaluable. With practice and insight, you can improve your personal coping and adapting skills to help you deal with culture shock. To prepare yourself, you can do volunteer work or become involved with organizations that put you in contact with other cultures, either in your home country, or by visiting a country where the culture is radically diff erent from your own.


A Last Word Keep your international skills inventory in mind when ap- plying as an overseas volunteer or intern, for international scholarships or for full-time work overseas. International recruiters are looking for people who have a broad range of cross-cultural knowledge and a proven ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar environments. By carefully assess- ing your own international skills and traits, you can com- pile a stronger skills inventory and convey these qualities to recruiters.


— Jean-Marc Hachey


CHARACTERISTICS FOR OVERSEAS WORKERS


General traits: enjoyment of change, desire for challenge, street smarts, sense of adventure, open mind, pa- tience and curiosity.


Adaptation and coping skills: emo- tional stability and ability to deal with personal stress, understanding of culture shock, receptivity, fl exibility, sense of humour and self-knowledge.


Intercultural communication skills: tolerance, sensitivity, listening and observing skills, non-verbal com- munication skills and language skills.


Overseas work-eff ectiveness traits and skills: project planning skills, writing and verbal communication skills, organizational and people skills, training experience, leadership skills, resourcefulness, versatility, persistence, energy, calm demean- our, diligence and dedication, loyalty, diplomacy and tact, and philosophical commitment to your fi eld of work.


FOCUS ON : Working Abroad


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