Hire Internationally and Attract Skilled Global Interns [Tips & Resources]

One of the best ways to level up your company is to hire internationally. Your business will develop a strong global network and attract highly-skilled talent that possesses a wide range of experience. But how do you get started?

At Intrax Global Internships, we work closely with companies to find the best international students who are seeking opportunities to further their professional skills. We support skilled interns in becoming successful global citizens. We welcome over 21,000 participants each year into our programs and know how to effectively attract skilled talent. In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Benefits of hiring internationally
• How to appeal to international hires
• How to get started hiring international talent

Internships play a big part in how global interns shape their careers. From growing networks to key disciplines, international students and interns alike greatly benefit from global work experience. Let’s look at how your business can prosper when you hire internationally.

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What are the Benefits of Hiring Internationally?

When you hire internationally, you introduce diverse talent and global perspectives into your company’s culture. Employing individuals from different backgrounds builds various skills within your business, such as cross-cultural communication.  

In this section, we’ll cover how to:

• Create a diverse team
• Build a positive work environment
• Strengthen your team with skilled talent

Companies that hire internationally utilize their interns’ unique backgrounds and global perspectives to expand their knowledge base. Creating a diverse workplace provides teams with opportunities to learn from one another and build a global professional network. By hiring global interns, your company will be building an adaptive and resilient team that makes an impact. Get started by understanding how to create a diverse team.

Create a Diverse Team

According to talent acquisition leaders, diversity is one of the top trends that affect how global companies hire. Bringing in global interns is a surefire way to: 

1. Promote inclusivity within your business
2. Expand language diversity
3. Build global awareness and perspective
4. Widen your talent pool

When you hire internationally, you bring diverse industry experiences into the workplace. This is an important way to foster acceptance and tolerance within your team as interns can learn from global perspectives. Teams are more likely to develop empathy for their colleagues when working with global talent. New perspectives bring insights that your interns may have otherwise not had access to.

By promoting inclusivity within your business, you’ll see a wide range of benefits. Different cultural backgrounds provide you with opportunities to introduce linguistic diversity. interns can learn from their colleagues and improve their foreign communication skills. It’s an enriching way to engage your team and immerse them in new cultures. 

Hiring global interns also provides teams with perspectives on wider issues, trends, and opportunities. Your business can adapt to global markets and navigate international business environments that you may have previously been less informed about. It’s also a great opportunity to widen your talent pool. By embracing candidates of diverse backgrounds, you can find a wider range of skills and expertise that can help achieve your company’s goals.

Diversifying your workforce can also enable your team to increase their customer understanding and adaptability. Build a more positive work environment as you work with interns of different cultural backgrounds who can relate to their diverse customer base. The more diverse your team is, the more equipped you are to adapt to shifts in your market and customer preferences.

Build a Positive Work Environment

Committing to diversity and inclusion is a great way to make an impact and build a positive work environment. Not only will your organization be considered progressive and socially responsible, but your team will reap the benefits that come when you hire internationally.

Diversity can provide fresh ideas and unique approaches to problem-solving. International hires offer a strategic edge within the workplace as they’re purpose-driven and have differing industry experiences. Working with global interns can enhance your team’s competitive edge and innovation.

A big part of creating a positive work environment is enabling discussions and generating creative ideas. By having conversations as a diverse team, every intern has the ability to provide their unique thoughts and insights. Creating a culture of collaboration and discussion allows even the quietest of interns to feel valued and part of the conversation.

Your company will see an increase in productivity and growth when you hire internationally. Decisions become easier to make as you have broader perspectives to work with and a wider range of ideas to consider. Teams also benefit from learning from each other when you hire global interns. More than just cultural ambassadors, international hires also provide an exchange of industry knowledge and cultural competencies that your business can benefit from. 

Working with teams to provide personal and professional growth is one of many ways to build a positive work environment. Interns value companies that invest in their skills and growth. When you hire internationally you offer teams an opportunity to learn from skilled talent that has hands-on experience. 

Strengthen Your Team With Skilled Talent

Companies that hire internationally bring in world-class talent that drives positive and powerful change to the workplace. From cross-cultural understanding to international networking opportunities, there’s no denying that global talent helps companies level up.

Some key ways that international hires can strengthen your team include:

• Enhance teamwork
• Share industry knowledge
• Expand global network
• Expand market reach

By working together with colleagues from different countries, interns gain exposure to new ideas and working styles. This can enhance teamwork and communication skills. Diversity within the workplace also fosters a culture of critical thinking and adaptability. When working with global interns a range of knowledge is shared through unique expertise from their home countries and travels. Shared knowledge enriches your company’s knowledge base and strengthens your team’s bonds through continuous learning. 

There are many global networking opportunities that come with hiring internationally. Global interns have connections to their home countries and regions. This provides opportunities for business expansion and in-depth regional knowledge. Having a team member that understands international markets can serve target audiences that may have previously been unattainable. Global hires can help diversify your market and expand your company’s reach.

How to Appeal to International Hires

From 2021 to 2022, the Department of State saw a nearly 150% increase in the issuance of nonimmigrant-based visas. With opportunities for global interns to work in the U.S. steadily growing, it’s important to understand how to appeal to international hires. The key ways to attract global talent that we’ll focus on include:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Incentives for international talent

At Intrax, we work closely with companies to assist in finding skilled global interns that can participate in the J-1 visa program. We’ve worked with Robinhood, Omnium, and more to connect with international talent that is driven to learn from industry experience. Learn more about how we can help you develop a global internship program.

Competitive Salary and Benefits

One of the most effective ways to appeal to global talent is to offer a competitive salary and benefits. Depending on the position you’re offering, your benefits may vary. Some international hires may be looking for a position that includes accommodation in addition to healthcare and retirement packages. 

Ensuring you can offer adequate leave options that suit global interns is another important benefit to consider. When you hire internationally, you need to consider your prospective intern’s family and relationship circumstances. Ensure global interns have adequate leave to visit their home country or be with their families in times of need. This is not only helpful for global hires but it shows that your company is compassionate towards your team and values personal and professional boundaries. 

For paying internship programs, there are a variety of ways you can offer competitive benefits that appeal to international students. From professional growth opportunities to exposure to industry developments, there are plenty of options to support international students in their career progression. Fill your talent pool with skilled interns that are passionate about their field and gain the benefits of diversifying your team.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

Another great way to appeal to international hires is to offer opportunities for growth and professional development. Providing access to growth opportunities can help global interns level up their industry knowledge and abilities. A great way to promote opportunities for growth and development includes offering:

• Training programs
• Mentorships and coaching
• Cross-functional assignments

Offering personalized guidance opportunities for global interns is a highly effective way to increase your company’s appeal. Make use of your team leaders who want to show initiative and develop strong working relationships with international interns. 

Another great way to appeal to international hires is to source entry-level talent. Entry-level hires and interns are driven to expand their skill sets and learn from established industry leaders. You’ll be able to offer professional guidance and customize roles to suit your team's needs. Bringing in entry-level global interns and interns can be a great way to lighten existing task loads and increase productivity.

Incentives for International Talent 

There are plenty of ways to incentivize international talent with opportunities at your company. At Intrax, we focus on the J-1 visa program, which supports businesses in sponsoring global talent so they can provide global internships. We help connect the best global talent with results-driven companies where they can expand their professional knowledge and skills. 

In our four decades of experience, some of the best incentives we’ve found that appeal to our global interns include opportunities to:

1. Network with professionals from different countries
2. Gain hands-on experience in global industries
3. Expand their global professional network
4. Increase their employability
5. Experience language immersion

Consider the more niche opportunities your company can offer international hires as a means of incentive. Do you have programs that can offer certifications or additional qualifications? Are there leaders in your team that want to become mentors? Look at your existing resources as you start working on appealing to international talent.

How To Get Started Hiring International Talent

In order to hire internationally, it’s vital that companies look at their internal processes as much as the global job market. There’s no denying that sourcing skilled talent comes with competition. It’s important to understand the ways your company stands out against the noise.

Industries, such as healthcare, project employment will rise by up to 2.61 million workers within the next 10 years. In order to be ahead of the curve and appeal to global talent, consider how your company can:

• Utilize your position in the job market
• Refine your internal hiring processes
• Build an internship program

This will help you in hiring global interns who bring skill and value to your organization. You’ll also be setting up a foundation for stronger internal processes that support your company’s long-term growth.

Understand Your Company’s Position

Having an objective view of what your company does well, especially against your competitors, is a great way to understand your company’s position within your market. In order to hire internationally and work with the best talent, you need to ensure your output brings value to your customers, employees, and interns. 

It can help to ask the following questions about your organization when you’re advertising to hire internationally:

• What is our company’s mission or purpose?
• What makes us different?
• Who do we serve?
• How have we made an impact so far?

Addressing these questions will give your prospective interns and interns a clear view of what your business does well. This will also offer transparency around your company’s position and the unique industry experience that working in your team can offer. 

Take the time to address the ways you can serve your international interns. Whether you’re providing opportunities in STEM or career progression, there are plenty of reasons for leading international candidates to want to work for your company. 

Look at Your Internal Hiring Processes

Before you hire internationally, it’s essential to look at your internal hiring processes. What’s worked in the past with local hires may not necessarily suit global talent. A great way to level up your hiring process is to use a talent acquisition funnel. You’ll be able to attract, engage, and hire top talent while using the hiring process to your advantage.  

There are four stages to the talent acquisition funnel, they include:

1. Awareness 
2. Education
3. Consideration
4. Decision-Making

Put simply, candidates become aware of your brand through your online presence. This could be through social media, an event your company has hosted, or even an email newsletter. As you share your brand, you’ll educate the potential candidate about the benefits of working for your company. If your company’s purpose resonates with the potential candidate, they’ll apply for a position. As you continue this process you’ll keep a global talent pool interested in your brand and find yourself onboarding the right candidates. 

The talent acquisition funnel is a great way to start the process of refining your presence in the job market. But it’s important to look at your internal processes and onboarding, too. Keep your recruitment processes flexible so you can hire high-quality talent that is open-minded and willing to learn. 

Build an Internship Program

Developing an internship program is a great way to attract global talent and hire internationally. Bring in skilled interns who are passionate and driven within their field. At Intrax Global Internships, we help pair global talent with the needs of businesses across the U.S. 

To build an internship program, you must define what your goals are for an internship. Are there departments within your business that need additional support? Do you have a team that can provide value and knowledge to an intern? 

Consider how best an internship can support your business and the opportunities you can provide before you hire internationally. This will also help you define the application process and determine what you need from a prospective intern.

It’s essential that your business is compliant with all necessary legalities when hiring an intern. Knowledge of the rules and requirements of a sponsor and internship provider is crucial. In order to build an outstanding internship, work with a J-1 visa program sponsor to ensure your interns are legally able to work in the United States. 

We have in-depth knowledge and can help connect you with the best global talent for internships. We can help you attract talent and understand the visa process as you build your internship program.

Work With Intrax Global Internships

For over forty years, we’ve worked with U.S. companies to provide exciting internships for global talent. We are passionate about increasing global awareness and bringing opportunities to driven and skilled interns. 

We can help your business expand its talent pool and connect with highly-qualified interns. We’ve helped leading companies work with exceptional interns who have benefitted from growing their skills and network. Request more information about how we can help your business build a professional and diverse program for top talent.

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Learn How to Hire Internationally with Intrax Global Internships

Discover the benefits of hiring global interns and developing an internship program with Intrax. Contact us to find out how we can best support you in attracting skilled international talent. 

Ready to get the ball rolling on your internship program? Apply today! We’d love to work with you in sourcing exceptional interns.