Résumé Tips
For Your International Experience
Résumé
“A global point of view is a critical skill set that is not easily come by
in the US, and it is a skill set that facilitates creativity, diversity of
Where are you locating your experience on your résumé?
thinking, and better skills for working with a variety of individuals
with varied backgrounds, interests and capabilities.”
If it is study program, consider listing the program in your
- Advertising Executive
education section rather than under activities or other
Have people assured you that your experience abroad “looks
experiences.
great on a résumé?” They're right! The bad news is that potential
B.A. University of Minnesota—Art History 2003
employers or members of graduate or professional school admissions
Paul Valéry Université, Montpellier, France, 2001
committees may lack these experiences themselves. It’s up to you
to effectively communicate the skills and proficiencies that will
If the experience included an internship, list the experience as a
benefit their organization and convince them of the value of your
professional experience rather than as an activity.
experience.
Marketing Assistant, Hamley’s Toys
“I think I have my current job because of my experiences abroad.
London, England, 1/02–5/02
Those experiences gave me greater self-confidence and a greater
understanding of myself, which led to my willingness to uproot myself
If you did a work program but the work was not particularly
and try new work in a new location.”
related to your intended profession, list it as work experience
-Higher Education Administrator
but concentrate on the cross-cultural learning.
Skills
The Black Dog Pub, Cambridge, England
Served patrons in a local restaurant, worked as the only
What skills or proficiences have you acquired or enhanced
American in a British business, trained co-workers in American-
while you were abroad?
style customer service.
Some of the skills that professionals with international experience
If your resume includes a section for skills or proficiencies,
cite as being particularly useful in their careers include:
include specific skills acquired or improved while abroad.
• Enhanced cultural awareness and sensitivity to customs and
“My experience in Russia and Ukraine differentiated me from the
cultural differences
masses of “standard” college grads hunting for the most desirable jobs.
• Foreign language proficiency
I heard it time and again from employers.”
• Adaptability
-Advertising Account Planning Manager
• Ability to identify and achieve goals
Cover Letter
• General improvement in communications skills
• Increased confidence, initiative, and independence
How does your experience relate to your field?
• Greater flexibility and sense of humor
What field do you intend to work in? How might your
• Awareness of global economic and political issues and realities
international experience uniquely benefit a professional in that
• Ability to maintain an open mind and be tolerant of others
that field? Develop a strategy to specifically address this in your
• Clarification of goals and improved self-awareness
cover letter or résumé.
• General travel skills
My experience living in Ecuador will enhance my ability to
• Resource management
communicate and interact effectively with the local Latino
• Organization
population this position has the opportunity to work closely
• Problem solving and crisis management
with.
• Patience
My studies in Japan provided me with a great insight into
• Listening and observation
the cultural differences that influence consumers in different
• Specific professional skills or knowledge base
countries and will improve my ability to contribute to
international marketing initiatives.
Even if your career goals do not include a specific international
dimension at this time, you can promote the general transferable
skills, such as independence, confidence, and problem solving.
“Agriculture is truly a global business. Students who have studied or
interned abroad have a better perspective and are thus more valuable
to companies such as Archer Daniels Midland.”
- President and Chief Operating Officer of ADM
The Interview
Consider in advance where and how you will refer to your
experience abroad. While it is important, you should not use it as
your only point of reference.
If your interviewer remarks or asks about your international
experience, take it as an opportunity to expand. Don’t let the
opportunity pass by with a simple “Yes, it was great!”
Prepare specific examples. Did you:
• Do a specific project or research applicable to your field of
interest while abroad?
• Travel independently?
• Learn to work with a more diverse group of people than you
had previously been exposed to?
• Resolve a conflict based on misunderstandings or cultural
differences?
• Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills?
“I usually bring up my international experience when asked, ‘tell me
something interesting about yourself'.”
-Clinical Research Coordinator
“My international experience is always asked about, whether it is
relevant to the position or not.”
-Director of Conferences for a Professional Association
Learning Abroad Center
A merged unit of Global Campus and ISTC
230 Heller Hall, 271 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
612.626.9000 • 888.700.UOFM • 612.626.8009 (fax) • UMabroad@umn.edu • www.UMabroad.umn.edu
An equal oppor t unit y e ducat or and e mpl oy er
R és um é T ip s • 10/ 03 • 100
Résumé Tips
For Your International Experience
Résumé
“A global point of view is a critical skill set that is not easily come by
in the US, and it is a skill set that facilitates creativity, diversity of
Where are you locating your experience on your résumé?
thinking, and better skills for working with a variety of individuals
with varied backgrounds, interests and capabilities.”
If it is study program, consider listing the program in your
- Advertising Executive
education section rather than under activities or other
Have people assured you that your experience abroad “looks
experiences.
great on a résumé?” They're right! The bad news is that potential
B.A. University of Minnesota—Art History 2003
employers or members of graduate or professional school admissions
Paul Valéry Université, Montpellier, France, 2001
committees may lack these experiences themselves. It’s up to you
to effectively communicate the skills and proficiencies that will
If the experience included an internship, list the experience as a
benefit their organization and convince them of the value of your
professional experience rather than as an activity.
experience.
Marketing Assistant, Hamley’s Toys
“I think I have my current job because of my experiences abroad.
London, England, 1/02–5/02
Those experiences gave me greater self-confidence and a greater
understanding of myself, which led to my willingness to uproot myself
If you did a work program but the work was not particularly
and try new work in a new location.”
related to your intended profession, list it as work experience
-Higher Education Administrator
but concentrate on the cross-cultural learning.
Skills
The Black Dog Pub, Cambridge, England
Served patrons in a local restaurant, worked as the only
What skills or proficiences have you acquired or enhanced
American in a British business, trained co-workers in American-
while you were abroad?
style customer service.
Some of the skills that professionals with international experience
If your resume includes a section for skills or proficiencies,
cite as being particularly useful in their careers include:
include specific skills acquired or improved while abroad.
• Enhanced cultural awareness and sensitivity to customs and
“My experience in Russia and Ukraine differentiated me from the
cultural differences
masses of “standard” college grads hunting for the most desirable jobs.
• Foreign language proficiency
I heard it time and again from employers.”
• Adaptability
-Advertising Account Planning Manager
• Ability to identify and achieve goals
Cover Letter
• General improvement in communications skills
• Increased confidence, initiative, and independence
How does your experience relate to your field?
• Greater flexibility and sense of humor
What field do you intend to work in? How might your
• Awareness of global economic and political issues and realities
international experience uniquely benefit a professional in that
• Ability to maintain an open mind and be tolerant of others
that field? Develop a strategy to specifically address this in your
• Clarification of goals and improved self-awareness
cover letter or résumé.
• General travel skills
My experience living in Ecuador will enhance my ability to
• Resource management
communicate and interact effectively with the local Latino
• Organization
population this position has the opportunity to work closely
• Problem solving and crisis management
with.
• Patience
My studies in Japan provided me with a great insight into
• Listening and observation
the cultural differences that influence consumers in different
• Specific professional skills or knowledge base
countries and will improve my ability to contribute to
international marketing initiatives.
Even if your career goals do not include a specific international
dimension at this time, you can promote the general transferable
skills, such as independence, confidence, and problem solving.
“Agriculture is truly a global business. Students who have studied or
interned abroad have a better perspective and are thus more valuable
to companies such as Archer Daniels Midland.”
- President and Chief Operating Officer of ADM
The Interview
Consider in advance where and how you will refer to your
experience abroad. While it is important, you should not use it as
your only point of reference.
If your interviewer remarks or asks about your international
experience, take it as an opportunity to expand. Don’t let the
opportunity pass by with a simple “Yes, it was great!”
Prepare specific examples. Did you:
• Do a specific project or research applicable to your field of
interest while abroad?
• Travel independently?
• Learn to work with a more diverse group of people than you
had previously been exposed to?
• Resolve a conflict based on misunderstandings or cultural
differences?
• Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills?
“I usually bring up my international experience when asked, ‘tell me
something interesting about yourself'.”
-Clinical Research Coordinator
“My international experience is always asked about, whether it is
relevant to the position or not.”
-Director of Conferences for a Professional Association
Learning Abroad Center
A merged unit of Global Campus and ISTC
230 Heller Hall, 271 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
612.626.9000 • 888.700.UOFM • 612.626.8009 (fax) • UMabroad@umn.edu • www.UMabroad.umn.edu
An equal oppor t unit y e ducat or and e mpl oy er
R és um é T ip s • 10/ 03 • 100
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