Meet employers
The Careers Service runs a number of internationally-focussed events, and brings together a range of organisations with international opportunities. Many multinational firms also attend Oxford’s careers fairs. If you are interested in working for one of their global offices, ask their UK representatives how you can apply to work for the firm in your country of choice. There are also a number of international employers who give recruitment presentations (and who sometimes conduct interviews here), so check CareerConnect's online events calendar regularly for details.
Student national societies are often very active with employers and are likely to host their own recruitment activities which may not always be advertised by the Careers Service. You can identify relevant societies via Oxford SU.
Virtual careers fairs and recruitment agencies
As well as events organised by the Careers Service, there are many other fairs that take place throughout the world organised by international recruitment organisations. Some take place in London, and others are ‘virtual’ and held online. Look out for details of these on the Careers Service’s News page and e-newsletter. The Asia Career Insight Series, for example, is usually held virtually in March and is organised by multiple UK institutions with graduate recruiters across South East Asia and China.
Student national societies
Networking revolves around making contacts, so meeting nationals of the country you wish to work in will help build contacts there. If you are not a national of the country you would like to work in, joining the student national society can provide opportunities whilst you are in Oxford to develop your language skills and inter-cultural awareness. Search for country specific societies on social media and note that some of them are linked with Cambridge (such as the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singapore).
Colleges and Departments
With academic staff at Oxford coming from more than 98 countries, there are further networks to be found within your own colleges and departments. Speak to tutors and support staff from countries that you’re exploring and find out if they are able to introduce you to other useful networks or resources. Get in touch with the alumni and development offices at your colleges and departments to find out how they keep in touch with their own alumni: LinkedIn? Databases? Newsletters? Some college alumni offices are also able to arrange work experience opportunities with alumni. Tap into these networks by asking alumni specific questions they can help with, such as how they would approach companies in their home country or what sort of CV style is best used.
Oxford Alumni
There are currently around 300,000 alumni around the world and around 150 regional alumni groups in more than 90 countries; so wherever you are planning to be in the world you are sure to find Oxonians near you. Check whether there is an Oxford Alumni Group in the region you wish to work in and get in touch to ask to be put in touch with local alumni in your sector for advice.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn can help you contact more Oxford alumni – as well as people not connected to Oxford who may be able to give you advice. Have a look at our Networking page which contains some detailed guidance on using LinkedIn. Use the LinkedIn Oxford alumni search to filter by location and sector.
GoinGlobal
The Careers Service subscribes to GoinGlobal, an excellent resource for anyone looking to access careers information and job sites by specific countries and cities of interest. This includes useful detail about CVs and applications, cultural information, and information on vacancies and networking groups. Users can create their own profile and save their findings on their personal dashboard. The platform also runs online information sessions on the practicalities of working in particular countries, in addition to sessions on visas.
