Photo attribution to Bernzilla
As your international coach, it’s important for us at Going Global to keep you on track towards your international adventure. The Must Do Monday series is designed to help you go abroad while building the foundation for your career. These tips are applicable for any type of international experience, regardless if it is directly related to working abroad.
Today’s Must Do Monday is focused on auditing your progress to building your international foundation. The advantage of these tips is that they are broken down in manageable chunks that can easily be added to your weekly activities. As you reflect on what you have accomplished, focus on how this is helping you get to the next step of going abroad. Even if there is an area that you haven’t completed yet, that’s ok! Remember that going abroad is something that is unique and takes planning. Focus on all the milestones that you have achieved.
Have you completed all these weekly steps and want to share your story? Do you have any that you would like to see in the next coming weeks? We would love to hear your feedback.
The Must Do Mondays are shown in the order of most recent posts first. It is up to you as to which one to start with. As with any goal, it is always wise to have a sequential order for your upcoming tasks. That way you have the ability to track your progress as you accomplish each milestone.
- Seek Out International Advice
(The best people that can help you get abroad are the ones that have already been there, done that. Learn how to find them and build a relationship with them.) - Write Your Resume
(The most important document of your professional career. Learn how to approach writing it in a manageable yet effective way.) - Building Your LinkedIn Profile
(LinkedIn is rapidly becoming the calling card of all professionals. Start your international career on the best foot by creating your LinkedIn profile. It looks great on a business card and demonstrates your skills and accomplishments to the whole world.) - Start Building Your Network
(The say ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. It wasn’t built by one person either. Having a network of colleagues, mentors, friends and anyone who endorses you is your most powerful asset throughout your professional career. The best time to start building it is now.)
- Make a Timeline
(Knowing where you stand in your quest for an international experience is vital to getting there. Having a plan with due dates helps you to organize yourself and provides you with a road map for your trip. The added benefit is that you build up the anticipation for your trip!) - Take the Plunge
(While most of the Must Do Mondays are tactical, it all starts with making an internalized choice to go abroad. Do your own self audit and assess ‘why you want to go abroad’ and ‘how this will fit into your long term plans’?)
- Make Friends with the International Programs Office
(As you plan for your trip abroad, start by reaching out to the professionals. Utilize the resources that you have available on campus through the International Programs Office. It never hurts to introduce yourself and your international mission.) - Get a Passport
(Your passport is vital to going abroad. It is very easy to get and with these simple steps, you can finish the process in one week.)
This is a great “down and dirty” list to get started on beginning your offshore adventure.
So many people make it more difficult that it really needs to be, but that’s because they don’t know how.
One thing to add would be to item 2. An alternative to the resume for getting a job, would be starting a business that can be run location independent. Or looking at business opportunities in the new country.
Often, it is easier to get visa’s if starting a new business than it is to get one through employment.
Obviously, it depends on the individual.
Thanks for your insights. Having an alternative and creating the opportunity for yourself is an excellent way of integrating travel into your life. To your point, new business is an asset to other economies because of the stimulation that it brings. A noteworthy comment.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
Olga