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Anywhere you go, global
experience is a plus

Is a stint in another country a plus or minus on your resume? Surprisingly, many CPG executives who have worked abroad find international experience counting against them, according to Michael Carrillo of CPGjoblist.

"It’s not unusual for some executives returning from an international assignment to have difficulty getting the same level job back here in the States. Some hiring authorities believe international experience is not as beneficial as stateside experience," Carrillo says. "In today’s multicultural marketplace, nothing could be further from the truth."

Good news, bad news
 Many hiring managers feel that marketing and sales training won’t prepare a candidate to do the same work in the U.S. In fact, a potential employer is getting more value from this candidate because the candidate will have a broader range of experience.

According to the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center, "A global point of view is a critical skill-set not easily come by in the U.S. – [one] that facilitates creativity, diversity of thinking and better skills for working with a variety of individuals." The bad news, says the Center, "is that potential employers…may lack this experience themselves. It’s up to you to…convince them of its value."

According to UM, the plusses acquired working abroad include: Enhanced cultural awareness and sensitivity; foreign language proficiency; ability to identify and achieve goals; better communication skills; increased confidence; greater flexibility and sense of humor; awareness of global economic and political issues; clarification of goals and improved self-awareness; general travel skills; resource management; better organization; patience; problem-solving and crisis management; and increased listening and observation skills.

Flaunt it
 With all that going for it, Carrillo recommends that candidates emphasize, not soft-peddle, their international experience.

"Remind potential employers that in addition to your regular job skills acquired abroad, your foreign experience taught you to work independently, solve problems, travel and communicate," he says. Since they function more independently most candidates have general management responsibilities, which ought to be viewed as a plus, not a minus. On your resume, Carrillo says, "Emphasize the specific proficiencies acquired and improved on during your international assignments. You can say, for example, that ‘My experience working in Venezuela has made me better able to sell to multicultural markets in the U.S. and will enhance my ability to work with Hispanic markets throughout North America.’"

Strategic edge
 During the interview, Carrillo recommends that you raise your international experience yourself. " When asked to ‘describe something interesting about yourself’ tell the interviewer how your foreign experience broadened your horizons and made you more sensitive to the needs of diverse markets here in the U.S."

American companies face fierce competition at home and abroad, Carrillo notes. At the same time, America is becoming more diverse - more than 20 percent of U.S. consumer purchases are now made by ethnic minorities, and that number will increase sharply in the coming years.

Carrillo maintains that hiring executives with international experience can give employers a strategic edge in this environment, even when their duties are totally domestic.

"Work experience abroad is not just as good as experience gained in the U.S." Carrillo says, "it’s better. Because it take a very resourceful person to work overseas - and that’s one skill that’s welcome any time, anywhere."

Michael Carrillo is president of CPGjoblist, the CPG industry’s leading candidate referral system. You may contact him at MichaelCarrillo or call (626) 398-5381.

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