Looking for a Job in an International Company Using Languages

Lbeatrice on 23/03/2020 - 14:04

Hi Ozbargain,

I'm currently a uni student studying Commerce with a major in Finance and graduating in a few years' time. I've been thinking about what I'd like to do after graduation and had the following thoughts/questions:

Is there any way I can search for international companies where an employee is sent to work in different countries (mainly East Asia)? The best scenario would be that the company sponsors employees to learn a language overseas and eventually has them work for their branch in that country. Is this a possibility at all?

Alternatively, just being able to work in that country (and using English only or mostly) is great too. I would just like the company to be based in/have originated from an English-speaking country. Ideal situation is getting hired in Australia then having the opportunity to work overseas.

I'm thinking China, Japan and/or Korea at the moment.

I'm not sure where to start researching relevant info, hence this post.

Thanks everyone!

Education & Work

Comments

  • Halo375 on 23/03/2020 - 14:15
    +5

    In my experience it is rare for multinationals to send entry level employees overseas for permanent postings. Those are normally hired locally. As you proceed in your career, international management assignments certainly are available if you’re good enough.

    • beatrice on 23/03/2020 - 17:36

      Yep I understand :) I just wanted to know if those opportunities were available and if so how to progress towards them. Thanks for your reply!

  • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2020 - 14:17

    Sounds like you want to work for DFAT, in which case you choose the wrong degree.

    • Halo375 on 23/03/2020 - 14:18

      Could always try ASIO!

      • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2020 - 15:28
        +1

        Thats domestic, you want ASIS

        • BOGOF on 23/03/2020 - 16:31
          +8

          And for reasonably priced on-line fashion, you want ASOS

          • HighAndDry on 23/03/2020 - 18:49
            +1

            @BOGOF: But if you just need something to get online, try ASUS.

  • DarthAntz on 23/03/2020 - 15:18

    Do you have language skills? Glassdoor and gaijinpot are two job search websites for jobs in japan. Sometimes the job listings will search for people outside of Japan for an interview.
    I dont have any links, but if you have JPLT N3 Japanese or above, and depending on your degree, you may qualify for the high-skilled jobs that Japan is looking to fill. Unless you are teaching in the countries you are looking at, they wont have a firm educational deal with you to work and study the language. You can still pick up the skills and study progressively by yourself. Start now.

    If you can make your own online business related to finance, and take a teaching role in China, Japan or Korea, you will put yourself in an excellent position for a long future overseas. That way you can work and learn the language, while constantly using and refining your finance expertise at a small business venture, and be very employable to use those skills in the next environment.

    All of these work environments in Asia is already very competitive for Finance roles. However, there are still plenty of jobs as all three major countries have international/global businesses.

    Not a great time to be looking for jobs overseas, but your persistence and actions will help you get there. Also its early days for you (as you are still studying), but I would recommend you look at the job sites and keep a track (excel spreadsheet) of the job trends for your area of expertise.

    Track things like requirements, job locations, dates of job postings and the companies that recruit often.

    Good luck!

    • beatrice on 23/03/2020 - 18:09

      I'm planning to take the JLPT N3 exam at the end of this year or the next as I've been self-studying for a while. As for Chinese, I can speak, read and write at a level between beginner and intermediate due to high school classes, but not conversational. My Korean is very basic.

      My principal concern with self-studying is I don't get enough speaking practice and language immersion so my progress has been rather slow. Also currently I'm very busy with uni and part-time work (finance-related) so I don't have much time to study languages. Regardless, I study whenever I can and will definitely be able to allocate more time to it during holidays and after I graduate.

      I've been looking at some short-term internships I can do in these countries too. Since I've been going through the typical mid-uni crisis wondering what I actually want to do in life, I figured I may as well give some serious thought to any interesting opportunities out there (including teaching, business and even travel-writing internships) so I can try as many things as possible while I still can. Despite doing a finance degree, I don't want to limit myself to just that before I even know what's out there and what I really want.

      The excel spreadsheet sounds like a great idea, I'll do that :) Thank you for your comprehensive reply!

      • DarthAntz on 23/03/2020 - 23:50

        Great work on the N3! Im studying towards it now, but doubt i'll do it this year. Theres an app called 'tangoristo' and it collects articles from various japanese news sites. Practice reading aloud the articles each day. And I also watch a lot of anime, and 物真似 the expressions. I'm living and working in Japan and have plenty of communication opportunities. Its never enough so dont pressure yourself. Listening to Japanese often will help you with listening.

        You've still got a lot of time, I think you will achieve your goals thinking and planning ahead like you are. Dont be afraid of what you dont know!

  • toniyellow on 23/03/2020 - 15:31

    DFAT have a corporate management stream to their grad program, looking for Finance/Commerce grads

    https://www.dfat.gov.au/careers/dfat-aps-careers/graduate-pr…

    • beatrice on 23/03/2020 - 17:36

      Thank you for this, it certainly looks interesting. I've bookmarked and will look at it again when I'm closer to graduation :)

  • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2020 - 16:46

    I'm thinking China, Japan and/or Korea at the moment.

    Have you heard of the COVID-19? 🤨

    My wife was offered a job with Maersk Ltd with a rotation in Denmark and Hong kong, followed by a permanent expat posting in either France or South Africa. I made her a better offer and she stayed in Australia instead :) That was ages ago but it looks like Maersk still offers something similar to new, eligible graduates.

    • beatrice on 23/03/2020 - 17:42

      I know the current COVID-19 situation isn't looking too great for job hunting overseas but I'm not graduating very soon so I'm more thinking about those countries from a long-term perspective. Regarding the virus risk I think China and Korea have already improved quite a bit? From an economic perspective I think they'll be able to rebound just fine eventually.

      Thanks for the recommendation :)

      • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2020 - 17:44
        +1

        No worries. Best of luck with your studies.

  • HighAndDry on 23/03/2020 - 18:48

    I'm not sure where to start researching relevant info, hence this post.

    You search "overseas secondment opportunities".

  • 87percent on 23/03/2020 - 18:49

    I would be checking out consulting firms (like Accenture, E&Y), or even grad programs

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