While job training varies considerably by profession, as globalization increases the international market, international job training can be acquired for most professions. International job training can be gained by working with an international firm, traveling, or through research and accreditation. Profession non-specific qualities that will help people work in an international business include culture and diversity awareness, language classes, and location-based understanding of laws and regulations.
Obtaining appropriate international job training often depends on the industry or profession. Special training is often required for professions directly linked to laws or regulations. Doctors, for example, often need to pass additional tests and undergo additional location-based training when changing countries. Accountants must also be aware of local regulations and reporting requirements when operating with an international firm.
International internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities provide the ability to work in an international firm or setting, giving on-the-job training. On-the-job training allows for expansion of work-related knowledge into practical work situations. Training can be formal or informally gathered through experience. Those working in international firms or with international supply chains can therefore learn by doing.
Another way to get international job training is through travel. Traveling and learning about local cultures and diversity can prepare individuals for the challenges of working in an intercultural team. While these soft skills may not have been considered job training in the past, the need for effective cross-cultural teams has often made these skills helpful in an international work environment. Many university programs encourage study abroad or a gap year for this purpose.
For those who cannot travel, there are seminars, books, and degree programs modeled around intercultural awareness and diversity. Business may seem calculated and mathematical, but it is largely based on interactions between people, and cultural sensitivity, awareness, and celebration can be helpful tools in this process. Diversity and cross-cultural awareness classes are therefore a form of international job training. Available training segments include expatriate relocation, intercultural team building, and culture-based awareness segments.
Many degree and certification programs exist to aid students in acquiring international job training. Degree programs such as an MBA in international business focus on providing students with their international jobs. Online learning programs and business and executive coaching are also available.
Another form of indirect international job training is language acquisition. Although much international business is conducted in English, knowledge of another language can uncover cultural insights and promote understanding. Speaking other languages can also ease the process of information gathering in international proceedings.
