Career after your Studies
International graduates have very good prospects in the job market. We have tips for a successful career start Abroad!
If you wish to work in Abroad after you’ve finished studying, you should start making plans while you’re still a student. With an “inner inventory” you can improve the success of your job search. Searching for job offers you shouldn’t only use the internet but also other helpful sources.
- CAREER COACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY
- INTERNSHIP: GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR
- CAREER FAIR: OPENING DOORS TO A PROMISING CAREER
- Analyze yourself before you search for a job
- Take advantage of all the opportunities, not just the internet!
- Information about job prospects
- SPEAKING LOCAL LANGUAGE
- Checklist
With a degree from a university, international graduates have numerous job opportunities in the job market. International students are allowed to remain in many countries (Germany, Canada, Japan, Malaysia etc.) for the purpose of looking for employment for a maximum of 18 – 24 months after graduating. These 18 months pass quicker than you think, so it’s important to start job hunting during the final semester of your degree, or at the latest “four months before finishing your studies.
While you’re looking for full-time employment, you’re allowed to work as much as you like: According to the Right of Residence regulation, there are no time restrictions on working during the job search phase.
CAREER COACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY
Is there nothing you desire more than trading those lectures and cafeteria food for a “real” job with a regular income? Then take advantage of the career services offered at your university! Their goal is to ensure that the good education their graduates receive also leads to a good job. The services range from personal advising sessions to large fairs which bring alumni and companies together.
INTERNSHIP: GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR
As an intern, you have the chance to gain your first experience in professional life. You’re given small projects and are supervised by an employee at the company. Vacancies are posted on internship exchanges online or can be found at international student organizations.
CAREER FAIR: OPENING DOORS TO A PROMISING CAREER
A career fair is an excellent opportunity to come into direct contact with companies. At such fairs, you receive first-hand application advice from those who are responsible for making personnel decisions every day.
ANALYSE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU SEARCH FOR A JOB
Before you set out in search of a job, take the time to ask yourself the following four questions:
- Who am I?
- What am I good at?
- What do I want to do?
- What is possible?
Extend your search: you don’t always have to end up doing exactly what you learned during your studies! “It’s important to look at related fields and transfer knowledge to other areas.”
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES, NOT JUST THE INTERNET!
Obtain an overview of the different sectors of industry and companies. Career fairs and conventions for graduates are an ideal way of obtaining information and making new contacts. Information about such fairs is often posted on faculty notice boards.
INFORMATION ABOUT JOB PROSPECTS
Many vacancies are advertised in sector-specific media: Enter your respective job title (e.g. biologist) and then select the appropriate job outline. You will find association addresses. Industry associations also provide information about job openings.
SPEAKING local language
“The number of job openings is very limited if you don’t speak Local Language. This is why it’s a good idea to take a language course while you’re studying abroad. Of course, you can do an entire degree in English at an abroad university. And fellow students might not have a problem answering you with a bit more than a “yes” or a “no”. But for personal contact with future colleagues, it’s definitely advisable to have a command of the Local language!
CHECKLIST
- Start looking for a job early on, at the latest four months before you finish studying!
- Carry out a self-analysis!
- Don’t restrict your search too much!
- Make use of the services offered by your university!
- Take advantage of career fairs and the services offered by employment agencies!
- By now you should be proficient in the local language! Take local language courses while studying!
