How Studying Abroad Boosts Your Graduate Job Prospects

For students across the world, securing a job after graduation can be a fierce challenge given the competition for places, so it helps to make yourself stand out in whichever ways you can.

That’s where being an international student comes in handy. A 2014 study by the European Commission on the impact of the Erasmus student exchange scheme found that students who had taken part in the programme had increased their graduate employment prospects by around 42% as a result, and were also half as likely to face long-term unemployment compared to those who haven’t studied abroad.

Of course, it’s down to you to get your skills and qualities across to potential employers as effectively as you can – whether it’s in your resume or during an interview – but it’s important to highlight the many beneficial ways in which a stint studying abroad can help boost your employability.

1. You develop your language skills

 

Depending on where you choose to study overseas, you may be required to learn an additional language (if you haven’t already). On top of helping you become accustomed to a new culture and interact with the locals with confidence, doing so can aid your employment prospects after your studies. From translators and language teachers to flight attendants and foreign civil servants, there are a number of jobs where speaking multiple languages is not just beneficial, but a necessity.

Even if the career you want to pursue doesn’t place any importance on multilingual skills, being able to speak more than one language points to other qualities that employers look for – namely dedication and the ability to pick up a new skill relatively quickly. “It’s a strong sign of intelligence and commitment,” says Tom Davenport, co-founder of online recruitment platform TalentPool. “In learning a new language, students demonstrate that they might also be able to learn negotiation, financial modelling or marketing techniques, so it’s taken very seriously.” All in all, it can be a great selling point on your resume.

2. You showcase your international mindset

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