peaking from experience: what kind of returnee graduates do foreign companies prefer

Author: RED (Xiaohongshu) blogger Yuyuan Putao

As someone who’s been through it, I sincerely advise all international students: don’t be afraid to apply to foreign companies. Just go for it.
Don’t always think you’re not good enough — we actually have natural advantages. After studying abroad for so long, your cross-cultural adaptability is definitely strong, and that’s exactly what foreign companies value most. Make sure you leverage this strength.

💎 About foreign companies

Foreign companies can also be ranked in tiers. When screening opportunities, you can roughly prioritize like this:
Nordic companies > other European companies > US/UK companies > Asian foreign companies (Japan/Korea, etc.)

💎 About English

You really don’t need to worry too much. Most roles don’t require native-level English, so don’t pressure yourself unnecessarily. Once you get the job and use English daily at work, your English will improve very quickly.

💎 How to get into a foreign company?

① Campus recruitment
If you’re a fresh graduate, actively participate in campus recruitment events held by foreign companies. Don’t just blindly submit resumes — learn about the company culture and past achievements. This helps you match positions more accurately.

② Referrals
Referral bonuses at foreign companies are often generous. The higher the position level, the higher the bonus, so try to build connections and find people who can refer you.

③ Official websites
Employee turnover at foreign companies is usually low, and many vacancies are not posted on common job platforms. Company websites are often the first place where openings appear, so check your target companies’ career pages regularly.

④ Headhunters
Foreign companies are willing to pay professional recruiters to find suitable candidates, especially for roles paying above 20k. Many high-salary positions are handled by headhunters, so pay close attention to those channels if you aim for higher pay.

💎 About applications

① Don’t mass-apply with one resume
Tailor your resume for each role. Incorporate key words from the job description (such as skills and requirements). HR in foreign companies often screens resumes by keyword matching, so don’t use one resume for every job.

② Apply at the right time
Try to submit applications on weekday mornings (9:30–11:30) or afternoons (2:00–4:00). Avoid weekends, holidays, and late evenings. HR is more likely to review resumes during work hours, and yours is less likely to get buried.

③ Follow up appropriately
Follow up via the official website or a referral contact. Don’t message too frequently — asking once 3–5 working days after applying is reasonable. Stay polite and reaffirm your interest in the role.

💎 About interviews

① Prepare an English self-introduction
This is essential. Prepare in advance and be ready to clearly introduce your education, work experience, and strengths in fluent English.

② Understand the role
First, review the job description carefully. Second, do your research. The goal is to align your abilities with the position.

③ Highlight relevance
During self-introduction, emphasize your professional background and how it matches the role.

④ Discuss strengths and weaknesses honestly
Show self-awareness. When mentioning weaknesses, also explain how you are improving and overcoming them through learning and effort.

If you want, I can also help you polish this into a LinkedIn-style post, a Rednote (Xiaohongshu) style post, or a more professional career-advice article.