How Moving Abroad Will Benefit Your CV

Have you ever thought of just hopping on a plane and moving to the other side of the world? Maybe you had a mid-life crisis at the age of 16 and decided this would be the perfect chance to start plotting your plan. But sadly, you probably had the realisation that your pocket money would not support it.

Well, there are many reasons you should make that trip of a lifetime, and that now is the time to do so.

Moving abroad is an intimidating adventure that may not be for everyone. You could test the waters, by adding a year abroad into your university course, whether this is studying or working. Although it could be far easier to continue your studies or stay at home, you could be foregoing the opportunity to learn new skills. Engaging yourself with new cultures and making lifelong friendships as you immerse yourself into life outside the UK. Your experience will make you stand out to employers. Here are some ways it will look great on any application and boost your career prospects.

Personal Development

Firstly, can you become more independent than leaving your family and friends and moving to a different country where you know no one? Although this highlights the huge decision to move abroad, it is also a rewarding jump. It will develop your professional and interpersonal skills as you learn and overcome challenges independently. Whether it is through homesickness or getting lost, your independence and ability to problem-solve will inevitably improve.

Whether you are working or studying abroad, you will make changes to your lifestyle to fit the cultural norms of the country you have settle. Future employers love this quality. It shows you can leave your comfort zone, and adapt to your surroundings which will set you apart from others.

Communication Skills

With the world now a globalised body, it is becoming increasingly important to recognise and learn the differences in culture. One way to get involved with a countries culture is learning a language. With over 7, 000 languages, there are plenty of opportunities to live in a country where the native language is different from your own. So if you put time into learning the language you immerse yourself into the culture. Start your journey of becoming a local as you can communicate effectively with your neighbours and colleagues. Being able to learn a new language is a valuable asset to any CV. This asset is highly regarded by employers - even if you only know a few basic phrases.

If you do not have a language barrier, your communication skills will still improve. You will get used to asking strangers or your new flatmates for help. You will discover you have no idea where you can even buy food or a bus ticket. By asking for help and advice, you are bound to become more confident and able to communicate more efficiently. This is a great skill to show off on your CV and will help you when you get to the interview stage!

Networking

Another benefit of adopting a new country to be your home is the opportunity to create a new network of friends and connections. As you are not going on a holiday trip, you will find yourself meeting people from all over the world. Whether these are through working life or during your free time, you are bound to make amazing memories. Who knows, maybe they can be your best friend for life or your next new contact on LinkedIn. Either way, it opens the door to endless new possibilities.

Getting the Job

So, we have covered how moving abroad could be that spark that gets you your dream job, but how do you show off the experience on your CV? You will want to convey everything you have learned over the semester or year abroad, but make sure not just to make a list. You will need to show the employer which skills have been developed and how to make your CV stand out. Have you had a specific hurdle to overcome or some amazing successes and memories?

In a job interview, you may be asked how you found your time abroad. Although the response, “yeah, I had a great time’’ is short and sweet, it does not display the real-time that you had abroad. The recruiter will be hoping that you explain the areas that have helped you develop professionally and are looking for stories which tested you in the new surrounding.

Remember, the world is your oyster and good luck with your future adventures!

Written by Rebecca Hart, an Online Marketer at StudentJob UK. If you are looking for a job but not sure where to start then check out StudentJob. Our application tips will help you create an effective cv, cover letter and help you smash interviews!

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