What steps can you take to develop a career plan for international business management?

Here are steps: Self-assessment Consider your cultural awareness, language proficiency, and adaptability (incredibly important). Educational and Skill Development Most of the world speaks English for business so learn to speak English clearly, with simple words, and no metaphors, similes or analogies. Learn their language when you can. Learn specific skills like cross-cultural communication, import / export regulations, letters of credit coding, and bank guarantees. You can learn this on YouTube and LinkedIn. ?? Networking: Offer to be the person who travels for your company to build a strong professional network by attending industry events, and conferences. This is not glamorous work and they are putting trust in you. Enjoy!

The first step is to identify a company or organization that interests you and your passion or passions. Once you have identified these company's figure out how capable you are in aligning with their mission and vision and your own purpose. Subsequently, identifying key skills needed and how you can attain and execute these is vitally important. Last but not least, get a good understanding of the international business environment, what laws are applicable, how international business operates and any education needed, such as short courses or corporate development programs. Then implement, monitor and enjoy the journey!

Every employer is searching for a candidate that would tick some boxes and more importantly bring something of value to the table. Hence, assessing your interests and goals helps you to answer some important questions like Why are you interested in the role? Why should the search for the right fit end with you? What are your the skills, qualities and experiences you possess that makes you and asset to an employer? An employer needs to be sure you are not only interested in working with them for a short period but also for a long period of time. Hence, they need to know How getting the job genuinely benefits you as well as How you intend to make a difference in their company. Sharing your goals as it relates to the job makes you special!

It is important to have a clear view of the market and the opportunities available both for yourself as one seeking a career as well as to your potential employer. When an employer knows that you have a clear head with respect to the available opportunities for you and what the market trends are, they tend to believe you more when you choose to work with them. They become certain that you know your worth and they also have a role to play in your vision. They also tend to value you more as they know you are very self-aware. What is more? You are more likely to proffer solutions to challenges they are currently facing as a business when you have clear understanding of the market opportunities for them. Employers love to hire egg-heads!

To build a career in international business management, start by identifying the industry and area where your skills and interests align. Then, seek employment with companies that operate globally or have multinational presences, as they often structure their business across different regions like the Americas, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Aim to join one of these regional divisions. If initially you don't secure a position in a regional group, you can always apply for internal transfers later on to move into your desired area.

Consider learning on the job, as hands-on experience is an excellent teacher. While acquiring knowledge through formal education is important, don't let a lack of experience deter you from applying to work in an international organization. Working as part of an international team often provides more learning opportunities than any course or program can offer.

This cannot be overemphasised as employers like to examine carefully what you bring to the table. Even for entry level positions, Employers tend to want to know how you have spent your life prior to your application and how it benefits them. The Pandemic has also seen highly experienced individuals out of jobs. This means that a lot of them are trying hard to become gainfully employed again. Hence, after several weeks or months of unsuccessful attempts at landing the right role, a lot of them are now beginning to apply for entry roles as they tend to stand a chance there. Next time you are applying for a role that is ‘just an entry position’, remember the employer is going to look for the best so gaining relevant experience is a must!

Network expansion is quite important if you would land a good role. While it may sound trite that ‘you cannot do the same thing over and again and expect a different outcome’, that statement has proven to be truism over the years. If you would get something different and in the International Market, you cannot be reaching out to your local communities and network. There is a need to expand your visibility and network to include new professionals. This search must be targeted at the leaders in your preferred industry and social media tools are quite helpful in modern societies. Professional associations are also quite helpful in meeting people whose offices are difficult to knock on. These ones are easier to approach at such places.