International trade is surely an industry that never sleeps, however that doesn’t mean you don’t have to! Depending on the type of job you obtain, you will most-likely work full time, yet the hours you work may fluctuate depending on what type of work you will be doing and with whom on any given day. Since the global trade industry is on every timezone imaginable, don’t be surprised if you may need to work odd hours throughout the week. There are a variety of international trade jobs that exist abroad, each one’s responsibilities depending on how you will be involved in the trade industry.
Finance jobs in international trade can be very involved. These positions are very important to the success of international trade, as finance officers make sure payments are made and agreements are maintained.
Management jobs in international trade are available within organizations that conduct business overseas. These types of international trade jobs require experience in negotiating and knowledge of trade laws and regulations.
Marketing jobs abroad in the field of international trade can be quite exciting. When a business is hoping to break into the international market, it requires someone with marketing knowledge to successfully brand its product cross-culturally.
If you are working across multiple time zones, be sure to invest in a watch with two faces (or just fire up the world clock app on your phone, either/or). Time change will certainly be a factor when working abroad in international trade, since you’ll be closing various business transactions throughout the world. Depending on the type of international trade job you obtain, you may work on your own or in a group. When working with various products, collaboration may be necessary in order to understand it better and how it can be utilized in a certain cultural context.
Familiarity with a foreign language or culture will be key to your success in international trade, albeit not always mandatory for every job opportunity. In a professional setting, language skills will provide you with insight in how different cultures handle business transactions, and understanding the language may even represent a larger sign of respect.
