Do You Have What it Takes to Make a Successful Career in International Business?
Do you have dreams of being able to travel the globe, meeting with people in all different countries and cities, conducting high-level business deals and basically “living the dream”? If so then a career in international business is probably what you have in mind. It can seem ultra-glamorous and exciting from the outside looking in, but it’s important you are realistic about what the career entails and what you need to do in order to break into it.
A career in international business will be exciting most definitely, but it is also a lot of work, long hours, lots of time spent in airports and on planes, and meetings that don’t necessarily fit into the typical 9 am-5 pm hours. Not only that but it tends to be highly competitive, as it is such an engaging field to get into.
So how do you know if you’ve got what it takes to succeed in international business? What are the odds that you will be successful? Here we’ll take a look at some of the skills, knowledge, and experience that can help better your odds of success.
What Are Some of the Common International Business Careers?
Knowing that you want a career in international business is an excellent step towards solidifying your future, but that doesn’t really narrow down what exact job it is you want. There are a number of careers that will have you working on a global basis, some are much more in demand than others. Some of the best examples include a marketing manager, management analyst, executive positions, financial analyst, human resources manager, and policy analysts.
Each of these are careers you can pursue right here at home with ease, but they also feature an international spin that you likely find more attractive. Businesses and satellite offices are being set up all over the globe, and these medium to large-sized businesses need qualified people to keep things running smoothly in those locations. Now, this could mean that your home base is here in the United States and you just travel often, or you may need to relocate to various countries, depending on where your company needs you.
Do You Need Any Sort of Degree for These Jobs?
It’s also natural to ask what kind of formal education and training you need to succeed in international business dealings. Obviously, each job will have its own specifics, but a great place to start is with your Masters of Business Administration, also known as an MBA. You can actually work on your degree through an online program at a reputable school like Kettering University Online.
When you enroll as an online student, you’ll have the flexibility of studying and working from home, so there’s no need to attend a campus in-person. This also means you can hold down a job at the same time, so you can make money while obtaining your degree. It’s a good idea to also look to see if the school you are attending offers specific courses that can help you further your dreams of a career international business. Kettering University offers courses in international business, for example, which specifically looks at the various issues that relate to this sector of the business world. It can help you be that much more prepared for your career to come.
What Kind of Personality Traits and Skills Can Be Useful?
Outside of obtaining a degree in the relevant field, there are some personality traits and skills that can also prove to be useful as you work to land a career in international business. Some of the stand-out traits and skills include:
- Attention to detail
- You are a hard worker
- You work well under pressure
- You’re able to go with the flow and adjust to the situation before you
- You can be a risk-taker when necessary
- You have excellent problem-solving skills
- You are a natural leader
- Your communication skills are excellent
- You are confident in various settings and situations
- You don’t get ruffled easily.
Additionally, if you plan on traveling overseas often, and will have clients overseas, it can also be helpful to know another language. This will obviously help you to communicate with clients, vendors, partners, and staff much easier. Obviously, aiming to be fluent in another language is the goal, but even if you’ve just got the basics mastered that will still be helpful.
Place Emphasis on Your Networking Skills
Networking skills are a category that gets its own mention, as it’s that important. Any job that exists in the business field will require a certain level of networking, but when it comes to international dealings it’s even more important. Your networking abilities are what will help you get in the door of potential new partners, vendors, and customers. You likely won’t be able to attend networking events all over the world, so online networks such as LinkedIn can become extremely important.
Even in the early stages of you looking for a job, these same networking skills can help you land the perfect position. Remember, all too often it’s about who you know, not what you know.
Keep in mind it would be wise to do a little research on the various countries and cultures that you’ll be working with, as their networking practices may vary. You want to be sure that you’re fitting in and following all the normal practices.
You’ll Need to Be Resilient
Finally, you’ll need to possess a resiliency about you that can carry you through the tough times, and really push you to keep going. Success isn’t something that typically falls into a person’s lap rather it takes a lot of hard work. This is something you may have to remind yourself of often, as there are sure to be bumps and challenges along the way.
An Exciting International Career Awaits
So now that you’ve brushed up on what it takes to be successful in the field of international business dealings, you can take control and start making it happen.
Category: Business and Politics
