How your international study experience can help you in interviews
Posted date: 05 Oct 2021
Choosing what you want to do and where you want to go in life is obviously a personal decision that is influenced by a variety of circumstances. Many students choose to study abroad in order to gain exposure and job prospects that are unavailable in their native countries. The benefits of studying abroad are numerous, far exceeding one's wildest hopes. Let's take a look at the best techniques for selling your year abroad in an interview:
Seek new experiences and learn new skills.
Make the most of your year abroad while you still have the opportunity! Experiment with new activities, meet new people, and look for ways to go above and beyond! This will not only help you make the most of your year abroad, but it will also help you acquire talents that will speak for themselves in an interview setting.
Don't overlook the obvious
Finding or starting a new job, opening a bank account, making friends, using public transportation, dealing with bureaucracy, managing your finances, and befriending the locals are all difficult tasks in some countries, but if you have mastered them abroad, you can demonstrate adaptability, organisation, problem-solving, and self-motivation.
Keep a diary, journal or blog.
Employers frequently ask you to recollect specific occasions in which you encountered a challenge or demonstrated collaborative abilities, etc. A diary serves as a valuable logbook of your more fascinating activities and also serves as a wonderful souvenir! Check out some sample competency questions before your interview and think about different aspects of your year abroad that you could adjust to each inquiry. Don't overlook previous internships, job experience places, or university experiences.
Turn problems into positives.
Many of us find ourselves in perilous situations when travelling abroad. Show your interviewer how you overcome challenges, whether it was a language barrier, a culture clash, a cancelled flight, or even homesickness, and the lessons you learnt in the process. Employers do not want you to be perfect; they simply want to see that you can learn from your mistakes.
Show your enthusiasm!
Employers frequently inquire, "Tell me about your study abroad experience?" or "How did your year abroad go?" Don't be shy about expressing your excitement as this isn't a trick question - it will make you much more appealing to an employer who has already completed five interviews on that particular day.
Make the most of your year abroad by using it as a selling point when looking for a job! Languages are already recognised as a commercial benefit, so don't be concerned if you're the only language graduate in the room. Just remember to do your research on the firm before you show up!
Posted By
GSP Admin
