Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development, Second Edition

Chapter 11: Multinational Organizations

276 CHAPTER 11 MultinationalOrganizations Introduction Employment in a multinational organization can be the highest aspiration for many international career seekers. Pursuing employment with these organizations can be intimidating, however, given their size and scope as well as the aura of mystery and intrigue that sometimes surrounds them. These concerns are not completely unfounded; it can be much more difficult to get your foot in the door at a large multinational organization than, say, a smaller nongovernmental organization (NGO). Some multinationals have downsized their staffs or streamlined their structures in response to reduced funding; many have strict hierarchical organizational structures. Most have language and experience requirements that may seem daunting to the entry-level professional. Some have strict nationality quotas. Despite these potential obstacles, however, multinational organizations still offer exciting opportunities for qualified individuals who seek a challenging international career with truly global scope and impact. The Cultural Context of Multinational Organizations Fayezul Choudhury, who served as controller and vice president of strategy and resource management at the World Bank, emphasized in his profile interview the importance of “cultural context” when attempting to get a job or begin a career with a multinational organization . Of course, job seekers can still use the same strategies with a multinational that they might with any other organization: submit Multinational Organizations 277 a resume and hope it gets noticed (although Choudhury warned that this approach may be a bit of a crapshoot because hundreds of resumes pour in each day); find an internship and work your way up; or use a personal connection. These techniques can work with multinational organizations, but Choudhury pointed out that you must approach them in different ways than you might with an organization staffed mostly by Americans. Networks in multinational organizations often depend on ethnic and national affiliations, rather than collegiate or professional ones. Knowing people is important, just as in an American context, but it is also important to use your relationship with a person in a more subtle way. Although some Americans have no problem receiving a straightforward request from a job seeker, people of other cultures may not be accustomed to or comfortable with such direct interactions. Because no single rule can guide your actions when it comes to networking at multinational organizations, always ask yourself what cultural variables might be at play. Each organization has its own culture. Your most accurate interpretation of that culture rests on a combination of the views of respected colleagues and your own observations. A good question to ask yourself during any interview process is, “Can I be productive and comfortable in this culture?” A Crowded Bazaar, Not a One-Stop Shop Multinational organizations tend to list job openings and information on their own websites. There are few print and electronic clearinghouses that centralize resources and vacancies in this field. However, many universities with international programs have career resource sections on their websites that contain links and advice for employment in international organizations. Also, conducting a search on a general job-listing website using the terms “multinational organization” or “international organization” should provide focused results. 278 Selected Resources and Profiles Sample Multinational Organizations Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) 1300 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20577 Telephone: 202-623-1000 Website: www.iadb.org Twitter: @the_IDB The IDB was established in 1959 to promote the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB, with forty-eight member countries, including twenty-two non–Western Hemisphere members, is a major source of external public financing for member countries in Latin America. It has field offices in twentynine countries. Most applicants for professional positions at the IDB have graduate degrees in such fields as economics, engineering, agriculture , administration, or environmental sciences and have at least eight years of relevant work experience. In addition, most positions require fluency in at least two of the four official languages of the bank (English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese). The IDB website provides details for available employment, including junior professional and internship opportunities. Approximately 200 positions with the IDB are filled each year. International Monetary Fund (IMF) 700 19th Street, NW Washington, DC 20431 Telephone: 202-623-7000 Website: www.imf.org Twitter: @IMFNews The IMF, established in 1945, is an intergovernmental organization that maintains funds for use by member countries, promotes world trade, and aids its 188 member states with balance-of-payments problems . Most of the organization’s staff members are...