International Experience on Your Resume | Really That Important?

In some fields, competition in the job market is so fierce that graduates, young professionals and job seekers increasingly struggle to stand out and express themselves. One particularly popular way to score points on resumes and convince hiring managers: international experience. An internship in Sweden, a study abroad term in Venezuela, a language course in Tokyo or work on a project in Canada. More and more candidates' resumes are becoming international, but does going abroad really increase your chances of beating other applicants and landing jobs? There is no universal answer to that question, since it depends on where you apply and how you use international experience on your resume.

International experience on your resume - how important is it really?

Whether it's a stay abroad during school, a semester abroad during your degree, a recognized internship at an international company or experience with a foreign employer. For many people, international experience is seen as the place where the focus of an application is set and, often, more importantly, where other candidates get left behind.

If you spend time abroad, you can definitely stand out from others. Although education, degrees and qualifications are usually similar, it's unlikely that other applicants have exactly the same international experience as you. In addition, because of globalization, many companies do more and more business in other countries and regions. This may be because they have their own offices and employees there or because customers and suppliers are all over the world. With international experience you can score accordingly. But if an application doesn't include any time abroad, is it really so important that it has no chance without it? No, because a widespread misconception is that international experience can be the core of an application. On the contrary, experience abroad can support a personal image, complement it very effectively and contribute to it, but the candidate's main argument is other factors.

International experience on your resume - the advantage in an application

Hiring managers have little time and limited ways to understand the applicant's concept, which should be as complete and comprehensive as possible. Experience abroad can help you in relation to the position you're applying for. As an applicant, you can use your international experience to make a positive impression. So anyone who has already worked abroad can credit themselves with enormous advantages.

Advantages of international experience:

• positive impression
• career boost
• faster entry into the working world possible
• national and international contacts
• intercultural know-how
• language skills
• and more