
Why it Matters
A 2003 RAND study surveyed 135 Human Resource managers from 75 companies. By consensus, the most important employee skill sets were²:
- Substantive content/technical knowledge of the primary field of business,
- Managerial ability, with emphasis on teamwork and interpersonal skills,
- Strategic international understanding, and
- Cross-cultural experience.
Cross-cultural competence ranked 5th out of 19 attributes that ‘Make a successful career professional’ according to the same study.
A 2008 study found that the top 4 skills that employers value from someone who has studied abroad are³:
- Interacting with people who hold different interests, values, and perspectives
- Understanding cultural differences in the workplace
- Adapting to situations of change
- Gaining new knowledge from experiences
Possible international activities to include and highlight on your resume, cover letter or during an interview:
- Education/Study Abroad
- Coursework with a global component
- Projects exploring a multi-cultural topic or with an international team
- Clubs and community involvement
- Internships and work assignments
- Research
- Extensive Travel
- Veteran/Military Experience
On a resume, study abroad/international experiences are typically added to:
- Education
- Experience
- Skills
Other areas where international experience may appear on a resume:
- Internships or work-abroad → under Work Experience/Relevant Experience/Experience
- Extensive travel or cultural experience → under its own category: Cultural and Travel Experience
- International and cultural skills → under Summary of Qualifications, or under its own category
Example of Study Abroad on a Resume
Bachelor of Art in Global Studies
Expected June 2014
|
University of Washington Bothell |
- Cumulative GPA 3.7
- Awarded CUSP scholarship for Spring 2012
- On-campus student involvement and leadership within the Latino Student Union
Study Abroad
Summer 2013
|
Community Development in Zambia |
- Fieldwork and research with Zambian citizens and health education community
- Developed cross-cultural communication skills through collaboration with Zambian students
- Enhanced global perspective through increased understanding of political, economic, and cultural issues faced by local populations
Resume and Cover Letter Word Banks