A Must-Read for Returning Overseas Graduates: Job-Seeking Tips

Many international students returning to their home countries often feel lost because they've been away from the domestic job market for an extended period. They are unsure about the channels to find the jobs they desire and are unclear about their advantages when seeking employment after studying abroad for several years. Today, we will explain these aspects one by one.

Channels for Finding Jobs upon Returning to Your Home Country

Navigating the job market after studying abroad can be a daunting task. However, knowing where to look can significantly simplify the process. Here are some channels that can help you find a job upon returning to your home country:

Online Job Portals

Online job portals are websites that host thousands of job listings from various industries and locations. You can create a profile, upload your resume, and start applying for jobs that match your skills and interests. Some of the popular online job portals in Vietnam are:

• Indeed: This is a global job portal that aggregates job postings from various sources, such as company websites, newspapers, and other job boards. You can search for jobs by keywords, location, salary, and more. You can also set up email alerts to get notified of new jobs that match your criteria.

• Glassdoor: This is a job portal that also provides company reviews, salary information, and interview tips from employees and former employees. You can search for jobs by company, industry, function, and more. You can also compare different companies and see their ratings, benefits, and culture.

• LinkedIn: LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, offers a job portal that serves as a comprehensive platform for job seekers. It allows users to search for jobs, manage applications, receive personalized job recommendations, and connect with recruiters. The portal also enables users to showcase their skills and learn about potential employers. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity or a career change, LinkedIn’s job portal is a valuable resource for finding your dream job.

• Aniday: Aniday is a company that provides headhunting and payroll solutions. They assist with recruiting, hiring, paying, and managing payroll, tax, and compliance globally. They work with a network of over 10,000 validated headhunters and have connections with over 1,000 employers. Their platform is designed to make hiring more efficient and cost-effective for employers. Aniday operates in over 98 countries, breaking boundaries so that you can hire confidently across borders1. They also offer services to help businesses take advantage of a network of experts/headhunts to find and attract talents. Their platform is used by over 1,000 businesses worldwide and refers over 10,000 candidates monthly.

Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships with people who can help you in your career. Networking can often lead to job opportunities that aren’t advertised on job portals or other channels. Some of the ways you can network are:

• Online: You can use online platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to connect with people who work in your field of interest or who have similar backgrounds or goals. You can join groups, follow pages, or participate in discussions related to your industry or profession. You can also reach out to people who work at your target companies or who have roles that you aspire to.

• Offline: You can attend offline events like industry conferences, workshops, seminars, or job fairs where you can meet people face-to-face and exchange contact information. You can also join professional associations or clubs that are relevant to your field or interest. You can also ask your friends, family, or former classmates for referrals or introductions to people who can help you.

Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment agencies are organizations that help employers find suitable candidates for their vacancies. They have connections with numerous companies and can help match you with jobs that fit your profile and preferences. Some of the benefits of using recruitment agencies are:

• Access: Recruitment agencies often have access to exclusive or hidden jobs that are not posted on other channels. They can also help you bypass the initial screening process and get you directly in front of the hiring managers.

• Advice: Recruitment agencies can provide you with expert advice on how to improve your resume, prepare for interviews, negotiate salaries, and more. They can also give you feedback on your performance and areas of improvement.

• Support: Recruitment agencies can act as your advocate and represent your interests to the employers. They can also handle the administrative tasks such as contracts, visas, payroll, and more.

Company Websites

Company websites are the official online platforms where companies showcase their products, services, values, culture, and more. They also post their available vacancies on their ‘Careers’ section where you can apply directly through their online application system. Some of the advantages of applying through company websites are:

• Relevance: Company websites often have the most updated and accurate information about their jobs and requirements. You can also find out more about the company’s vision, mission, goals, and achievements.

• Interest: Applying through company websites shows that you have a genuine interest in working for the company and that you have done your research. It also shows that you are proactive and motivated.

• Visibility: Applying through company websites increases your chances of getting noticed by the recruiters or hiring managers. It also reduces the risk of getting lost in the crowd of applicants from other sources.

Social Media

Social media are online platforms where people share content, interact with each other, and form communities based on their interests or identities. Social media can also be used as a tool for job hunting as they often have job postings or career-related content. Some of the social media platforms that you can use for job hunting are:

• LinkedIn: This is the most popular professional networking site where you can create a profile that showcases your skills, experience, education, and achievements. You can also connect with people who work in your field or industry, join groups related to your profession or interest, and follow companies that you aspire to work for. LinkedIn also has a job board where you can search for jobs by keywords, location, industry, and more.

• Facebook: This is a social networking site where you can connect with friends, family, and colleagues. You can also join groups related to your field or interest, follow pages of companies or organizations that you like, and participate in events or webinars that are relevant to your career. Facebook also has a marketplace where you can search for jobs by keywords, location, category, and more.

• Twitter: This is a microblogging site where you can post short messages or tweets about your thoughts, feelings, activities, and more. You can also follow people who inspire you or who share valuable content about your field or industry. Twitter also has a search function where you can find tweets about job openings or career advice by using hashtags or keywords.

Industry-specific Channels

Depending on your field of study or work, there might be job boards specifically tailored for your industry. For example:

• Behance: This is a platform for creative professionals such as designers, illustrators, photographers, and more. You can create a portfolio that showcases your projects and skills. You can also discover and appreciate the work of other creatives from around the world. Behance also has a job board where you can search for jobs by keywords, location, creative field, and more.

• GitHub: This is a platform for software developers where you can host and review code, manage projects, and build software alongside millions of other developers. GitHub also has a job board where you can search for jobs by keywords, location, programming language, and more.

Advantages of Returning Overseas Graduates

As a returning overseas graduate, you should emphasize your strengths to quickly grab the attention of interviewers. Here are a few areas to focus on:

1. Language Proficiency

Proficiency in foreign languages has become a standard skill for job applications in today's society. At the very least, you should be fluent in one foreign language, and it's even better if you can master two or more languages. Foreign language proficiency is a significant advantage when seeking employment upon your return. Companies value the language skills of overseas returnees. In the current Chinese job market, foreign language proficiency is increasingly considered a fundamental workplace skill. Returning overseas graduates should highlight their language skills, especially for large companies with international projects and foreign trade operations, which require fluent language skills. Students who have studied in countries with less common languages may have a competitive edge since there is a greater demand for such language skills.

2. Proactive Learning Skills

Learning skills here don't just refer to GPA or academic performance but rather the ability to cultivate and maintain your learning capability. This is a crucial factor in distinguishing individuals in the workplace. As a returning overseas graduate, the moment you stepped on that plane far from home, proactive learning became a necessary survival skill. Lack of this ability is a problem even for those graduating from foreign universities. Hence, during the job-seeking process, you can amplify your advantage in this area to make interviewers recognize your proactiveness in future work.

3. Language and Communication Skills

Many people are somewhat reserved or introverted, but foreign education tends to emphasize students' communication and teamwork abilities. Being able to communicate with others and express your views and thoughts is an essential criterion for future employment. Communication skills are not only important for external business interactions but also for internal teamwork and collaboration. Therefore, you should also emphasize this aspect of your skills to stand out among many job seekers.

That concludes our job-seeking knowledge sharing session for returning overseas students. We hope that everyone can secure the job offers they desire!