[ID:0300] Contacts are everything. Making international networking contacts is not easy. Internationally experienced people see themselves as having unique insights into how the world works and how cultures interact. They are attuned to world political and economic trends, and they understand the diplomatic dancing that is required to make cross-cultural communication easier. Such people can be quick to dismiss the efforts of rookies trying to enter the field. Thus, you face the problem of how to network with little international experience behind you. Here are a few pointers to help you decide on your networking style.

Approach each new aspect of your job search with curiosity. Curiosity is a trait appreciated and recognized as a legitimate vehicle for pursuing knowledge. Aggressive, pushy behavior, on the other hand, is not appreciated in many cultures and would interfere with your success abroad.

What differentiates curious researchers from aggressive ones is that the curious have a passion for the process of discovery, while the aggressive are motivated...