Global Competency: An Imperative Skill for an Interdependent Workforce

Characteristics such as innovation, initiative, and intelligence have always been imperative in getting ahead in the job market, whether it be in getting your first job or beating out the competition for your promotion. In today’s changing workforce, however, those skills are no longer enough. Rather, it is absolutely essential that professionals are globally competent as well due to a changing workforce and interdependent economies.

In the United States, for instance, 20 percent of all jobs (or nearly 40 million positions) is tied to international trade, a trend that is only going to continue (and likely increase) in coming years. Currently, 75 percent of the world’s purchasing power and 95 percent of consumers lie outside of U.S. borders. Additionally, over half-a-million job postings in the United States specifically listed foreign language proficiency as a requirement for candidates, and one-third of mid- and large-size employers work with global clientele and only hire individuals with language and cultural competencies. Moreover, the Committee for Economic Development found that “nearly 30 percent of companies believed they had failed to fully exploit their business opportunities due to insufficient personnel with international skills,” and 80% believed that their business would increase notably with more internationally competent employees on staff.

Clearly, global competency is a must if you are looking to compete in a continually increasing and interdependent global workforce. So, what are some skills that you can hone in order to be most marketable?

According to the National Education Association, globally competent individuals have “the acquisition of in-depth knowledge and understanding of international issues, appreciation of and ability to learn and work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, proficiency in a foreign language, and skills to function productively in an interdependent world community.”

World Savvy, a nonprofit working with educators, schools, and districts to integrate global competency education, lists six additional skills that professionals entering the global economy should have:

1. An appreciation for cultural differences.
2. An ability to understand and consider multiple perspectives.
3. Critical and comparative thinking skills.
4. Problem-solving abilities.
5. Comfort with ambiguity and change.
6. An understanding of globally significant issues.

There are multiple ways to further develop your global competency skills, and these possibilities are truly endless with our increasing interconnectedness via technology. YouTube, for instance, has a wealth of resources to gain exposure to different cultures and to hear multiple perspectives, as do non-American news sources; TED Talks also offer varying points-of-view. Furthermore, social media (Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) is an under-utilized tool in this regard, as connecting with others from across the world takes mere moments — and is free wherever you have access to Wi-Fi. Additionally, programs like Rosetta Stone or Duolingo, or classes through community education or local colleges and universities offer opportunities to learn foreign languages. Reading books, watching films or television shows, and listening to music from cultures other than your own are also viable ways to increase your global competency.

Regardless of how you opt to sharpen such skills, it is simply essential that you do so. In 2017, global competence is a necessity, and the reliance on such skills in the future will only become more crucial.

Take your first step toward a successful career by building a CV using Kudoswall’s AI Resume builder and land your dream job.