Work, travel, repeat: 7 Skills and certifications for a borderless career

A few years ago, moving around the world for a job wasn’t exactly commonplace. In fact, ​​for most of human history, our ancestors barely moved beyond a 30-kilometre radius of where they were born. Today, over 280 million people live outside their birth country, a number that has tripled since 1970. Over the last decade, millennials have paved the way for ‘The Great Transformation’ (yes, we even gave it a fancy name) and now Gen Z students are following suit by traveling far and wide for international jobs that can help them build their dream life.

But moving to a new country can already be hard enough. To find the right job, especially in the wake of AI and massive layoffs, you need to have ‘global skills’ that set you apart from the competition. And this stands true for those already working too.

A report from the World Economic Forum states that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 due to rapid technological advancements. In a world where industries are shifting overnight, professionals need to adapt quickly.

Here are the skills that the world’s top companies are looking for today:

1. Emotional intelligence: The invisible superpower

"Your EQ is the level of your ability to understand other people, what motivates them, and how to work cooperatively with them," says Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist at Harvard. Robots might be taking over repetitive tasks, but emotional intelligence (EQ) is what makes humans irreplaceable. The ability to navigate workplace relationships, understand cultural nuances, and manage conflicts is what turns good employees into great leaders. At Bayswater, students undergo comprehensive intercultural competence training that focuses on improving communication in diverse teams—a skill any global company would ask of its employees.

1. Think like an Entrepreneur: Are you a problem solver?

Studies show that 82% of hiring managers seek candidates with entrepreneurial skills like problem-solving, innovation, and self-motivation. Being proactive, spotting opportunities, and taking calculated risks will put you miles ahead, especially in an international setting where you might face new systems, structures and ways of working. Problem-solving skills are transferable too! If you can adapt quickly to find solutions in new environments, you’re primed to be a closer cultural fit for multinational companies.

1. Data is the new currency: Are you fluent?

Here’s a fun fact: 90% of the world’s data was generated in just the last two years. Companies are no longer making decisions based on the management’s experience or wisdom. Business analytics help forecast outcomes with much higher precision. So understanding how to read data, recognise trends, and apply insights is just business-as-usual ‘key requirement’ for jobs in fields ranging from marketing to finance to healthcare.

1. Creativity: The skill AI can’t replace…yet.

With automation taking over routine work, creativity has become more valuable than ever. Whether it’s designing a marketing campaign, solving a business challenge, or rethinking a product, those who can think outside the box will always be in demand. This is where the essential skill of ‘critical thinking’ comes into play. In an international job market, critical thinking helps navigate complex global challenges, adapt to different cultural contexts, and make informed decisions in rapidly changing environments.

5. The art of negotiation: Can you sell your expertise?

Success is determined by how you advocate for yourself. No matter where you work, negotiation is a key skill that can help you land that important client, ask for a pay rise, and improve relationships with coworkers. A study by Glassdoor found that those who negotiate their salary earn an average of 7% more than those who don’t. Whether you’re negotiating a salary, a business deal, or project terms, mastering this skill can set you apart in any industry.

6. Speaking the language of success: Are you multilingual?

Speaking multiple languages is impressive, but it is also practical. It opens doors to jobs that value you for your cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Of course, it also helps you connect with more people, making you more adaptable in multicultural workplaces. Think about roles with ‘EMEA’ or ‘APAC’ (region-specific terms) in them. Those are the roles often filled by people who leverage their language skills to build teams, break into new markets and communicate effortlessly.

7. Initiative: The difference between average and exceptional

The fastest way to stand out? Take action before someone tells you to. Those who go beyond their job description, volunteer for challenges and seek growth on their own terms are the ones who make waves in their industries. This is especially true for international professionals looking for jobs in global markets—they often have to start from scratch, losing valuable networks in their home countries. But it’s not impossible.

With a little bit of guidance on where to find the right people and how to position yourself, you’ll be building a new network in no time.

Ready, set, launch your global career

Remember, building a successful, borderless career requires a combination of essential global skills. With the world becoming more interconnected, individuals who are equipped with these skills will thrive in an international job market.

At Bayswater, we offer students the opportunity to develop these skills through industry-relevant programmes and certifications such as our Global Skills Certificate. Our programmes are designed to be flexible and industry-relevant, with company visits, guest lectures, and cutting-edge certifications that cover modules such as AI literacy and intercultural competence. Whether you're ready to launch your global career in London, across the pond in Canada, or in sunny South Africa, just a few of our iconic campus destinations, you’ll gain the expertise to thrive anywhere in the world.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more about our programs here.