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MBoss International
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:
www.mbossinternational.com