The question of the relevance of international experience for one’s professional career raises a complex picture that is strongly influenced by individual and professional contextual factors.
What is meant by international experience?
The preference for international experience can be found in numerous job advertisements. This is particularly the case for positions in globally operating companies, where managers and department heads can acquire additional qualifications through longer stays in foreign countries and cultures. But what counts as international experience in the job market?
Experiences abroad are diverse and can be experienced in different forms. They include regular employment abroad that goes beyond a mere adventure and, in the broadest sense, represents a type of professional experience. One of the common forms of international experience is the foreign internship, where individuals are given the opportunity to work in another country while experiencing that country’s work culture and practices, as “Career Bible” reports in an online post. A semester abroad or a complete study abroad, possibly supported by a scholarship, are further options for gaining experience abroad. Students can continue their academic education in an international environment and at the same time develop intercultural skills, Career Bible continues.
The so-called summer sessions are special, often short-term academic programs abroad that offer a more intensive learning experience in a different cultural context. A gap year abroad can be another source of foreign experience, allowing people to spend a year traveling, volunteering, or interning abroad. Furthermore, language trips offer the opportunity to improve language skills while experiencing the culture of another country.
Work & Travel programs also offer the opportunity to work and travel in another country, while au pair stays offer a unique opportunity to be integrated into the daily life of a host family abroad while gaining work and language experience, according to Career Bible.
Skills acquired and the benefits of international experience
By immersing yourself in a different culture and work environment, individuals can acquire a range of skills that are valued in the job market, Career Bible reports. This includes, among other things, the ability to adapt to new environments, cultural sensitivity, openness and a strong sense of initiative. These traits can be attractive to employers because they are often associated with increased problem-solving skills and improved interpersonal communication. A stay abroad can have a positive impact on your CV and help you stand out from other applicants and convince the human resources department, it goes on to say.
The benefits of an experience abroad can also manifest themselves in personal development. A semester or year abroad can strengthen personal resilience and enable a broader perspective on the world. This personal development can have a positive impact on professional performance and the ability to work together in diverse teams.
In addition, the benefits of international experience extend beyond large, internationally operating companies. German companies are also increasingly placing value on international experience and foreign language skills, as AIFS reports in an article. This suggests that the labor market is generally developing a greater appreciation for the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.
Relevance of international experience based on different professions
But the relevance of international experience can vary greatly, depending on the respective professional field and the specific requirements of the desired position, says Stepstone in an online article. In careers such as logistics, foreign trade and international marketing that require an understanding of global supply chains, international markets and varying market conditions, international experience is often considered valuable, Stepstone said.
Likewise, diplomats, pilots and consultants as well as people in positions of international sales, (corporate) strategy, international management or corporate communications can develop a better understanding of different cultures and global business strategies through experience abroad, it continues.
In such cases, the lack of international experience can be a disadvantage. In contrast, professions such as accountants and psychologists require a deep understanding of local laws, regulations and cultural norms. In these professions and industries, local knowledge and experience may be more important than international experience, Stepstone concluded.
Possible hurdles and the value of international experience
However, the opportunity to gain valuable experience abroad is not available to everyone. Financial challenges or family obligations can significantly limit the prospects for a stay abroad. It is particularly highlighted that those who have had to miss out on this enriching experience for financial or family reasons may be at a disadvantage when it comes to filling positions, as t3n reports in an online article.
Although international experience is often valued, it represents only one of many factors taken into account when making a hiring decision, a recruiter for a large transport company told the portal. The views of HR managers can vary in different companies about the value of international experience. While some value international experience highly, others consider practical experience or professional qualifications to be more important. A study by the German Economic Institute and the German Academic Exchange Service has shown that HR managers often view applicants’ practical experience as significantly more important than international experience.
Dominik Maier, editorial team at finanzen.net
