INTHEBLACK September/October 2025 - Magazine - Page 14
F E AT U R E
“It is wise to clearly articulate your motivation for
relocating and how your skills align with the needs
of that market in your application,” Gorton says.
Relocating overseas is a significant undertaking,
especially when family is involved. George,
who sits on Michael Page’s Asia Pacific board,
says employers often want extra reassurance
from an overseas candidate that they will not
withdraw at the last minute.
“That is a very frustrating situation for the
employer,” he says.
“You have to try to eliminate those concerns
early in the process. My advice is to explain why
you’re so passionate about moving to this country;
is there a factor pulling you there? Have you got
family or friends from that country? Have you
been to that country before? Have you done
your research? It’s important to show you’re
fully committed to making the move.”
SKILLS VERIFICATION
An international candidate’s qualifications and
employment history can look very different to
their local counterparts.
As a result, skills verification can be a valuable
tool for showcasing an overseas applicant’s
skills and providing recruiters with an extra layer
of reassurance that they are up to the job.
“To move into international markets, globally
recognised certifications like MBAs, CPAs, ACCAs
and CFAs are strong in verifying a
candidate’s finance and accounting
skills,” Gorton says.
“Recruiters will also verify work
experience via reference checks and
potentially skills-based assessments to
LISTEN
help ensure the candidate’s practical
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abilities align with job requirements.”
14 INTHEBLACK Sep/Oct 2025 SPECIAL EDITION
An increasingly popular form of skills verification
is digital badging, a task-oriented form of assessment
that contains verified metadata linking to a certification.
These badges can be displayed in email signatures
or digital résumés, and on social media sites such
as LinkedIn. Skills can also be “rebadged” to ensure
they remain up to date, explains Dr Jones.
“Skills verification is incredibly important, particularly
if you want to be a global worker, because it enables
a candidate to demonstrate that they can apply specific
skills in a contextual setting,” she says.
“You’re clearly identifying that people not only
understand the knowledge but can apply it too.” ●
TIPS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CAREER
1. Do your research, Gorton says.
“When entering international markets,
showcasing a clear understanding of
the local economic and regulatory
environment in application materials can
significantly impress employers.”
2. Gorton says employers tend to look for
candidates who demonstrate adaptability
and a willingness to learn the local
business practices. “For accounting
professionals considering an international
move, thorough research into the specific
country’s accounting standards (like IFRS v
GAAP) and tax laws is essential to landing
a role. It may mean potentially obtaining
local certifications or licences to be up to
speed with the market.”
3. Attain digital badges in sought-after skills
such as AI and big data to add to a résumé
before applying for overseas roles.
