The intention of international students to return to their home country for employment continues to increase. Wageningen University in the Netherlands | Major | International Students

In 2022, a certain mining group held an overseas recruitment campus lecture.

Zhao Xu's photos during his study abroad in the Netherlands.

Wang Yue graduated from Moscow State University in Russia.

The "2022 Chinese Overseas Returnees Employment Survey Report" recently released by Zhilian Recruitment shows that the number of international students returning to China to seek employment in 2022 has increased by 8.6% year-on-year, and the intention of Chinese international students to return to China for employment continues to increase.

For students, career planning during their study abroad period helps to manage their learning time, improve their professional skills, and seize employment opportunities after returning to their home country, thus receiving increasing attention from students.

How to enhance personal competitiveness during academic studies? Listen to what these Chinese international students and experts in the field of career planning have to say.

Understand oneself and clarify job search goals

"After graduation, I plan to look for a job in Beijing." Zhao Xu is a student majoring in Urban Environmental Management at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Before applying for a job, she first identified the target city. Zhao Xu said, "My family is in Beijing, and I hope to spend more time with them. A happy life will help with smooth work. In addition, I am more familiar and adaptable to the environment in my hometown, so I prioritize job opportunities here."

"City and industry are factors that students need to consider when planning their careers." Li Qiang, Executive Vice President of Zhaopin Recruitment, believes that "job opportunities and living costs vary in different cities, and industry salaries and prospects have a significant impact on career development. This requires students to carefully consider their personal situations and make choices."

"I believe that before applying for a job, it is necessary to truly understand one's own thoughts, rather than completely following the advice of parents and teachers." Liu Can, who studies in France, said, "International students need to submit a 'personal statement' when applying, introducing themselves and explaining why they chose this school and project, which will mention personal planning. When writing a statement, it is necessary to carefully analyze one's professional interests, growth experience, and career goals, rather than just going with the flow. Everyone's abilities, interests, and personalities vary greatly, and no individual's career plan can be replicated."

Chen Zilu, who is studying at the University of Sheffield in the UK, has a similar experience. Chen Zilu said, "Although the business major is quite popular, my interests and hobbies are more artistic, such as painting and calligraphy, so I chose the landscape architecture major that is more suitable for me. As far as I know, the employment directions of landscape architecture major include landscape design, architectural planning, real estate development, infrastructure management, etc. With the development of urban and environmental construction in China, the demand for such positions will be increasing."

Seize opportunities and accumulate advantages in studying abroad

According to the 2022 Chinese International Students Returning to China Job Insights Report by LinkedIn, the proportion of job categories selected by international students is highest in the field of technology research and development. Regarding this, Chen Yijing, the Product Director of LinkedIn China, explained, "Currently, emerging industries such as biopharmaceuticals, intelligent manufacturing, and new energy are developing rapidly, and there is a high demand for technology research and development talents. Enterprise recruitment values learning ability and upward potential in the workplace. International students can broaden their horizons in a cross-cultural environment and have a high degree of matching with the innovative ideas and practical methods that enterprises need."

"When I went back to my home country to apply for jobs, I saw that many cutting-edge technology positions in industries such as big data and artificial intelligence required applicants to have overseas backgrounds." Yu Yang, who graduated from the National University of Singapore, said, "As far as I know, studying and living abroad not only brings broader horizons, but also enables international students to learn more innovative ideas and practical methods in diverse environments, stimulating open thinking. This is highly valued by many companies during job hunting."

During his studies, Liu Can actively expanded his alumni resources and enhanced his job search competitiveness. Liu Can said, "After graduation, I wanted to work as a researcher at an economic research institution. When I found that domestic institutions often conduct case studies in recruitment, I searched for peers to participate in simulated interview exercises at school. In addition, economic research institutions usually have a large alumni network for international students. I met some alumni and seniors on social networking platforms in the workplace, actively sought their advice, and gained a lot of information."

"When studying abroad, I can come into contact with many high-quality and international resources, such as many professors in architecture at our school who are well-known designers. As a student of our school, I can get their guidance up close." Chen Zilu said, "At the same time, students at the University of Sheffield also have the opportunity to participate in activities jointly organized by the school and universities in other countries. These experiences can bring unique experiences and make my job application more diverse and bright."

Learn foreign languages well and enhance comprehensive strength

"I found that some positions require IELTS or TOEFL language scores when I applied to go abroad, which I had prepared for before. Zhao Xu said," When attending classes abroad, people can improve their English proficiency through daily listening, speaking, reading, and writing training. When applying for jobs, some positions require self introduction and answering questions in English, which is an opportunity for international students to showcase their expertise. For example, for a research institute position that I am applying for, I need to prepare for international conferences, translate book information, and write foreign language promotional content on a daily basis, which has certain requirements for the applicant's English proficiency and makes retaining students more competitive. "

In addition to English, Chinese international students can also leverage their strengths in other languages when seeking employment.

Wang Yue graduated from the Department of National Management at Moscow State University. Last year, she was selected through talent introduction interviews in Luohe City, Henan Province and joined a public institution. Wang Yue said, "When looking for jobs, I found that some positions are specifically aimed at students studying in Russia, who prefer composite background talents who specialize in specific majors and know Russian. I have learned that in recent years, many companies have recruited talents to explore the Central Asian market, and they prefer candidates with relevant study abroad experience, providing them with opportunities for growth and exercise."

Li Weiwei, who is studying in the UK, plans to become an English teacher after returning to China. She believes that studying and living abroad not only allows international students to experience multiculturalism, but also broadens their horizons and enhances their job seeking background and soft power. Li Weiwei said, "The professional background of teachers is valued by parents, and having experience studying abroad can enhance the trust of students and parents. More importantly, I spent my time studying abroad in the UK, which gave me a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the local language, history, and culture. After work, I can share what I saw and gained with students, achieving better teaching results."