Photo attribution to fluzo
Every week, we will impart a dose of international wisdom, with a summer twist, that includes action items to help you get closer to that international opportunity (whether it be working, studying or traveling abroad).
Two weeks ago, the Going Global team attended the NAFSA conference in Kansas City, Missouri. NAFSA brings together international educators, universities and companies encharged with the mission to help international students live, work and travel abroad. Boasting over 7,000 participants, NAFSA is a hub for international networking.
What we realized during the conference is that getting an international job starts with a resume, continues with an email, solidifies with a networking event and culminates with an interview. The point of the whole process is recurring visibility.
Networking does not have to be an overwhelming slew of business card exchanges and boring small talk. On the contrary, networking should add excitement to your journey towards your international job. The lessons from NAFSA are to stay visible by attending the events where the companies you want to work for and the people you want to meet are there in one place. It is a brilliantly efficient way to network.
When choosing what events to attend this summer, have your end goal in mind before going. Choose your events based on two factors: the who (attendees) and the where (type of event relevant to your international job search). Always know who your audience will be. Will the “gatekeepers” be present that you can entice with your product (You of course!) or will at least refer you to someone who could needs a candidate like you? If there is a particular company or person that you want to connect with, research events where they will be present or speaking. That is a great way to target them without being in a sea of candidates at recruiting fairs.
The type of event is just as important. Will you attend an association event (like NAFSA), an industry specific event (like interSolar North America for the solar industry), a recruiting fair (like the Council of International Schools recruiting fair for international teachers) or a content specific event (like The Travel Distribution Summit for Online Travel Professionals)?
From these events, you will ideally learn more about your target industry, more about specific companies, more about people within your dream jobs, and gain a greater sense of confidence in pursuing those international opportunities. Always remember to follow up with the people and companies that you meet. Even if they have no direct opportunities, you open the possibility for an informational interview about their international career or industry. The added bonus is more visibility that gets you closer to your international job. A secret in your informational interview: ask who else they can recommend you speak to.
Below we provided a list of questions, by the University of Buffalo School of Management, for your event toolbox.
Good Questions to Ask at a Events
Q: Can you tell me more about your (management development) program and what makes a strong candidate for that opportunity?
Q: How did you start your international career?
Q: I see you have recently begun expanding into China. At what stage in your expansion are you and would you need internship assistance from someone who has experience in the Chinese market?
Q: May I have your business card and what would be the most effective way and time to follow up with you?
Q: I see you are recruiting just for accounting; however, I am a human resources candidate. Is your recruiting process for HR different and what would be the best route for me to apply for future HR openings?
Poor Questions and Common Mistakes
Q: What does your company do?
Q: Do you have job openings that I would want?
Q: What is your typical starting pay?
- Don’t confuse the company with its competitors or a company with a similar name
- Don’t say you’re open to any opportunity they have; it makes you look desperate and unfocused
- Don’t be more interested in the free samples than the conversation
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