mboss international challenges of the international job search mary g. boss mboss international...

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Challenges of the International Job Search

Mary G. BossMBOSS INTERNATIONAL

Columbia November 2010

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TODAY’S AGENDA

Cultural differences and the job search

Universal job search strategies

Cross border job search

MBA job market - Europe

MBA job market - Asia

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Cultural differences affect all phases

of the job search

career definition/change - resumes – self-marketing –

networking – interviewing - salary negotiation

A few notable differences:

• Individual versus Group• Informality/Formality• Perception of time

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Resume formats vary widely

Cultural Differences

• Personal information• Photos• Length• Tone

Others?

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NETWORKING ACROSS CULTURESWhat do you think?

What cultural differences

could impact networking ?

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NETWORKING ACROSS CULTURESDifferences that matter

- Concept of hierarchy

- Formality/Informality

- Etiquette/Protocol (business cards)

- Communication styles

- View of relationships/friendships

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Many job search strategies are universal

Self-assessment and defined targets

Customized self marketing materials*

Networking*

Excellent market research

A defined strategy and tracking system

*Significant cross cultural differences!

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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIESWhat you will need

• Definition of very specific targets

Job Title – Company - City

• Relevant market research

• Good use of all available tools (networking, cold contacts, “menus”, etc)

• A spreadsheet

(to keep track – and keep you on course !)

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Consider the whole array of segments for your target employers

1. On-campus recruiters2. Alumni employers3. Multinationals4. Companies doing business in your home country5. US companies with divisions in your home

country6. Foreign firms operating in the US7. Firms in high growth sectors 8. Companies with a policy and track record of H1-B sponsorship

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Effective Strategies for any Job Search Abroad

• Employment with HQ• Networking• Physical Presence• Willingness to postpone career change• Leveraging language and cultural knowledge• Interim/project work• Contact with local recruitment firms (if not career

changer)

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MANAGING YOUR JOB SEARCH3 most important take-always

Be specific about your key job targetsJob Title - Sector/Company – City

Master timing by moving each job search track forward in parallel

Track your progress with a customized spreadsheet

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Job Search in Europe & Asia

Same sectors receptive to MBA grads

Management Consulting

Finance

Industry - Strategy and Business Development (outside national markets) - Marketing - Finance

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Job Search in Europe & Asia

Apply segmentation and design your strategy for each segment

MBA ‘recruiters’MBA ‘employers’International marketLocal market

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Job Search in Europe

Work Authorization

Despite EU - varies country to country

Company sponsored

Some exceptions – ‘UK Highly Skilled Workers’ Entrepreneurs

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Job Search in Europe

Language Ability is Crucial

Fluency in local language essential

(some sector/function exceptions)

English – besides UK, The Netherlands

Scandinavia, Brussels, Geneva)

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Job Search in Europe

CV FORMATS VARY GREATLY

Make sure you check local conventions !

UK similar to USA

France importance of language

Germany detailed dossier

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Job Search in EuropeVery different business practices

Understand basic business conventions in your target countries !

A few examples:

Germany & France High formality (e.g. family names)

Southern Europe Don’t begin business items immediately

Spain Friendly & personal approach in negotiating

UK Respect personal space – and no personal info

Italy Don’t appear impatient or rush Italian counterparts

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Active Recruiters in Europe• AT Kearney• American Express• AstraZeneca• Bain• Bertelsmann• Booz & Company• Boston Consulting Company• BT• Deutsche Bank• Eli Lilly• General Electric• Goldman Sachs• Google• L’Oreal• LVMH

• McKinsey• Novartis• Philip Morris• Philips• Roche• Roland Berger• Rolls Royce• Schneider Electric• Siemens• Syngenta• Total• Vodaphone• Whirlpool

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Job Search in EuropeUseful Web Sites

EU (general info) europa.eu

Company info europages.co.uk

Wall Street Journal careerjournaleurope.com

Hobson’s careersineurope.hobsons.com

Vault europe.vault.com

Top MBA topmba.com

Monster monster.com

Don’t forget websites of MBA programs in different countries

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Job Search in Asia

A large continent that can be viewed

as 4 distinct regions South Asia India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Greater China China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan North Asia Japan, North Korea

SE Asia Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam,

Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei

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Job Search in Asia

Language abilities a definite advantage

(function plays large role)

English – South Asia, Singapore,

Philippines, Arab Gulf

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Job Search in Asia

Trends during this economic downturn

Tightening market across Asia (despite shortage of management talent)

Some resiliency in India, China, Singapore, Arab Gulf

Most promising sectors for MBA grads:Consulting, Healthcare, Energy

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Networking in Asia

- Use formal title until relationship established

- Treat business cards with respect

- Help others ‘save face’ with options

- Explore structured networking options (groups, websites etc)

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Active Recruiters in Asia

• Boston Consulting Group

• Cargill• Citibank• Google• HSBC• Infosys• Johnson & Johnson• McKinsey

• Nomura• Shell• Samsung• Schlumberger• Siemens• SingTel• Standard Chartered• Unilever

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Comparative CompensationBase Salaries – New MBA Grads

Mean Median Range (in Euros)

North America 81,700 80,900 51,700-155,00

Western Europe 81,400 80,000 34,400-180,000

Asia Pacific 67,200 68,100 10,000-218,700

(Euro 1 = US $ 1.45)

INSEAD Careers Report 2009

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Job Search in AsiaUseful Web Sites

international-job-search.com

career journal.com

vault.com

monster.com

jobasia.com

foreignmba.com

quintcareerscom.asia

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JOB SEARCH ACROSS CULTURESLast thoughts

1. Be culturally knowledgeable and sensitive

2. Segment the market and design appropriate strategies

3. Show your motivation with physical presence

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Questions ?

My contact details:

maryboss@mbossinternational.com

www.mbossinternational.com