Cyril Duguet, Alumni in Madrid

Preface:

Do you want to work for a company abroad ? Cyril Duguet, former IBE (International Business Engineering) Master's student, presents us his journey and how to succeed professionally abroad. After completing Erasmus in Seville and Berlin, and having worked at Bosh and Samsung, Cyril is fully fulfilled in his work at Philips Lighting.

?? Are you satisfied today?

Yes, I’m really satisfy today both personally and professionally. I reach to grade a good work balance. I’m able to challenge me everyday at work in an exciting environment but also have plenty of time to enjoy life.

?? Are the codes being different between CV and cover letter between France and abroad?

I’m not an expert but I know the codes are different from the country you are and I can say a general rule: the clearer the better.

CV need to be visually attractive and concise. It’s needs to be as close as possible to the reality, represent what you really are. Then, for the cover letter, it’s need to be persuasive without being pompous. Recruiters want to know what you did in the past, who you really are and what you’ll bring to their company.

?? Do you need to have an international experience to find a job abroad?

Not really but it’s highly recommended. Having previous experiences (exchange studies or internship) will help you to be more attractive. For example, in my case, I made my Master 2 in Madrid in Bosh company and after that I didn’t look for a job, I was directly contacted on LinkedIn by companies. Maybe it’s also a little bit of luck but I’m really convinced that experiences increasing attractivity. I really encourage student to be picky on the choice of their internship, because it’ll pave your path. I was student and I know how much difficult, you don’t know how to start, but take time for it.

?When a company accept you, don’t be scared about not being accepted again. Choose something you really like.

??You need to continue until you find the job that’ll fit your profile or your future. I was very picky for my master 2 internship. I send around 150 CV and I found one and now I’m not looking for a job. The most difficult part is the beginning.

?? Do you have some advices for students who want to work in big companies, but don't have much experience? We saw that you work in Bosh, Samsung and Philips Lighting

1. Be picky
2. Companies have programs for internship : don’t hesitate to apply
3. Work in big companies after IAE can be less difficult abroad: In France, IAE is not consider as big private school and it’s what they are looking first. Abroad, they don’t really care about where you coming from (private or public school).
4. If you want to work abroad, choose the country, make a list about the company you’re interested in , and look on LinkedIn, there is some offers , don’t hesitate to send messages to people. They also care a lot about soft skills, personality and your commitment

?? How to deal with the administration abroad?

It can be tough. There is a lot of groups on social media that help new people to adapt in the new city/country and can build relationships. You can also reach out to the consulate: they always publish some news about paper administration. In Madrid, French consulate is very active and send message on their WhatsApp for the big news (example: the elections).

When you’re moving, the amount of paper will depend on where you’ll moving. If you’re French and you’re moving in the European Union, it’ll be easier compare to an American moving to France for example (visa, extra papers…).

?? Do any of the companies you have worked with or are still working with have a green approach?

I worked in three big companies and they are mandatory to do it. Because they have a lot of visibility, they need to be eco-friendly. I’m actually working in Philips lighting and they are doing a lot of work in how to save energy. They are using led , that are very low consuming light.

Concern about ecological in Philips is huge, they are carbon neutral company and especially in my branch, they need to control in the supplier chain that they are carbon neutral in every steps. There is still a lot of things to do but we are doing little by little.

I think it’s really important for people to work in a company with the same ethic.

?? Was IAE Montpellier a good choice?

IAE was definitely a good choice. I refused to buy expensive fee scholarship and I chose public school. I can confirm you can reach all your objectives and don’t start your professional life with a considerable loan. The education IAE have nothing to envy to private school.

???? What can you say to someone who doesn't have the confidence to go abroad?

I don’t think everyone is made to go abroad but what can I say is beneficial for everyone. Travelling is really life changing experience, it’s changing your mind, make you grow. You’ll have good and bad moments and it’ll give you perspective of your own culture, habits and compare to others. If you have the chances to go abroad, do it you’ll come back with a lot of stories to tell.

?? What have you learned from your professional experiences?

The main learning was to put in practice the things I learn during school. Because sometimes, when you are sitting at school, you forget that you need everything in a near future and when you finally enter in a company, and work in a specific department, you understand that what you learn before was essential for the real professional life. The indispensable things are:

• Professionalism
• Discipline
• Creativity
• Flexibility: essential but if you travel a lot, you are more likely to have it and you need to apply this flexibility to your work environment.
• Commitment(engagement): basic of every job

You need a good work balance to be happy in your life. Just do your work and it’ll be enough.

?? There is a cliché about big companies regarding work: it says you work more, is that true?

If I have to choose , I’ll say that’s not true. It’s also depends on department. For exemple, marketing department stay late , and work even on the weekend, but they start to work at 10. In my case, I’m starting at 7:30. I don’t feel the pressure to work until 10 in the evening but on some punctual days it’s can happened when you have to but it’s not a routine.

If you’re working in a consulting company , this cliché can be true. But here in Spain , there is no difference between small and big companies.

? Do you have any tips for learning languages?

The advices to learn languages is the interest: if you like it, it’ll be easier. I was always surrounded by languages, with bachelor in English, Erasmus in Seville... Being deep diving in a country/cultre , can really help you.?When you’re travelling, it’s where you can learn easily a language. For example , if you are surrounded by English speaker, teacher etc… It’ll help you improve your English skills.

?? Is it possible to work in a country without speaking the main language?

It’s depends on the job you’re get in. For example, if you’re working only in English , you don’t need to speak Spanish , it’ll be just easier to manage your daily life. If you’re going in a non-english country , I’ll recommend you to speak the local language or at least to start learn it because , in my case they excepted a person with a B2-C1 in Spanish ! I always work in Spanish in Spain , and now , I’m working in Spanish, English and French. Every company excepted a C1 level in English.

?? Advices:

• Do your homework, if you’re applying, diving to the business, to the company(what they are doing) , what you can bring to them , with your experiences or in school (for example the business game) . Sell it in your cover letter.
• Don’t be scared about failure: the moment where I face the most failure it was when I was looking for my first internship. It’s can be hard but just insist -> failure is helpful for everyone and you’ll find something for sure
• Do as much internship as possible.
• Have your LinkedIn profile up to date.
• When you don’t have experiences, it’s complicated for companies to know your skills. You can sell you during an interview, but to have the interview, you need to sell you on your CV with your experiences.

We are very grateful to Cyril Duguet for sharing your experience and advice with us.

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