With the right educational background, personal experience, a strong resume and cover letter and solid interview skills, it is possible to get a job in international trade. You may find a job with the federal government or with a company in the private sector.
Instructions
1. Study hard. International trade jobs are notoriously competitive. It is critical that you maintain a high grade point average in high school, so that you can get into a good college.
2. Take the SAT or ACT and score well. Test scores are another factor that may improve your chances of getting into the right school. Some job recruiters may be interested in them too.
3. Pursue an undergraduate degree in a business field or in political science. In today's job market, an undergraduate degree is practically a necessity, and many people choose to go on to pursue graduate degrees.
4. Get an internship with the international trade division of the Department of Commerce or with an import/export company in the private sector. Internship experience is extremely valuable when searching for jobs in the industry.
5. Go and study abroad to gain practical experience living and working in other cultures. Choose a school that offers relevant coursework, and you can still graduate on time. Recruiters often consider study-abroad experience to be a primary factor in their hiring decisions.
6. Visit the career center at your school for resume help. You want to create a resume that highlights your experience working successfully in other countries and with minimal supervision.
7. Create a cover letter that details not only your qualifications and why you want the job, but also where you see yourself in 5 to 10 years.
8. Post your resume and cover letter on major job-matching websites.
9. Get letters of recommendation from your professors, employers and internship directors. Recommendation letters are essential components in your job search. They can go a long way toward helping you find the right job.
10. Practice your interview skills. Sit through mock interviews with family and friends to hone your abilities and composure. You are not likely to get that highly sought-after international trade job if you can't nail the interview.
