This Is What Employers Truly Value in Students with International Experience And No It's Your CGPA

Students who have just finished graduating in a foreign country and are all set to return to their home countries often wonder: "Will this experience actually help me get a job?" According to recent research, the answer is a qualified yes but it's all about how you tell your story. 

A fascinating new report undertaken by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)digs into what Canadian employers really think about international education experiences when hiring graduates. And the findings might surprise you.

These Are The Top Skills Valued by Employers Today

Through interviews with employers across various industries, researchers identified five skills that employers prioritize when hiring recent graduates:

1. Communication

2. Adaptability

3. Problem-solving

4. Teamwork

5. Time- and self-management

Notably, these skills are in line well with what students typically develop during international experiences. Employers emphasized that while technical knowledge is important, these ‘soft skills’ often make all the difference in hiring decisions, especially for entry-level positions.

The True Value of International Experience

The report suggests that studying abroad helps students build valuable traits such as self-confidence, independence and intercultural competence. As Catherine McBride, an employer interviewed for the study, noted: "International exposure fosters the development of self-confidence and independence. It cultivates social skills through immersion in different cultures, significantly enhancing interpersonal abilities."

Another employer, Tereza Cairns, stated: "When I see international travel gap years or international experience on the resume, those people are more likely to be adaptable to new environments, new challenges and stepping out of their comfort zone."

Beyond Having the Experience

Perhaps the most important finding is that simply having international experience is not nearly enough. Graduates must know how to effectively communicate how their experiences helped them build relevant skills. Their propensity to demonstrate past instances wherein they leveraged these also makes them stand out in job interviews and hiring drives. For recent graduates, employers look more for ‘potential’ capabilities than ‘proven’ abilities. This means the soft skills gained through international experiences can be particularly valuable as technical skills can often be taught on the job.

Binu Saradakutty, another employer interviewed, summarized it well: "International experience helps in understanding global issues. It provides you with a lens to understand different people and different needs. It teaches self-awareness and open-mindedness. It enhances people skills."

What This Means for Students and Institutions

The findings suggest that students should:

• Go over how their international experiences have developed specific skills

• Learn to articulate these connections clearly in applications and interviews

• Consider how community or volunteer work during international experiences points at their adaptability and social responsibility

Looking Forward

Studying abroad is one hell of a ride, beginning from the day of getting your visa appointment to the day you get on a flight to your dream destination. And the end of your study abroad journey is just the beginning of a new chapter where your experiences will mold your professional future, if you exercise them well. 

As borders open and the workforce becomes increasingly international, graduates who can not only point to their time abroad but also clearly articulate how it made them better communicators, more adaptable team players and creative problem-solvers will have The right of way. For more personal guidance on studying abroad, book a session with us today. Please call us at +9196540 23759 or send an email to info@uninxt.com.