The
growing opportunities in the world market and the wide range of facilities
offered to exporters & importers by the Government of various nations
have encouraged more and more enterprises to enter the International Trade
Sector. The implication of such a development on the job market is an
obvious rise in the demand for export/import personnel.
Career Opportunities
Global commerce and the Internet have made the world smaller, but far more
competitive for businesses. The Export and Import industry provides pathway
to a multitude of careers, like:
Product Managers
They manage a specific product or product line. This would include managing
the advertising program, the product development, the distribution system,
and setting the prices of the product.
Sales Staff
This industry needs sales representatives, managers who are expected to
travel abroad, and to find customers and negotiate business deals abroad.
Retail Buying
Retail buyers are in charge of acquiring merchandise for their employer, a
retail chain.
Accounting Staff
Auditing, financial accounting, and managerial accounting of export/import
Companies require an understanding of foreign exchange rates, inflation
rates, different tax systems, and language.
Production Personnel
As companies expand their production abroad, there is a greater need for
Production Specialists with an international background. Production
Specialists arrange for goods to be produced in other countries and locate
foreign producers for these goods.
Management Personnel
Human Resource managers are involved with hiring, training, compensating,
motivating, evaluating, and promoting employees.
Strategic Planners
Strategic Planners operate at a high level in the company and put together
the company's long-run strategic objectives and plans, including
accompanying sales forecasts and industry outlook.
International Business Law Professionals
In the Import/Export Industry, there is a need of understanding specific
legal needs of various countries. Many corporations have there own legal
staff to aid in the understanding of legal issues abroad and some hire
professional services.
Freight Forwarding and Customhouse Brokers
Freight forwarders and customhouse brokers are agents who facilitate export
and import shipments. Freight forwarders specialize in transportation and
inventory storage, while customhouse brokers handle import shipments for
compensation.
Eligibility
Employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in international
affairs, economics or public policy and MBAs. Although many International
Companies often hire MBAs to promote trade, but sometimes those with a
bachelor's degree and relevant experience can also penetrate the field.
There are also opportunities for attorneys to work with such companies on
trade laws and restrictions.
Fluency in a second language is preferred, as is knowledge of a particular
world region. Strong writing and research skills, good working knowledge and
coursework in international business and economics are also critical for
success in this industry.
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