Success Tips for Expat & International Careers

Expat Careers: 3 Resources for Job Seekers to Share their Expertise and Increase their Visibility

Career Collective is a group of top career professionals who blog monthly on a designated topic for careerists and job seekers. Today’s topic is Resources for Job Seekers. Our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

 

RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS

When I first thought about writing a post about resources for job seekers my mind floated to a variety of online networks and social media platforms.  But I thought that most of my readers will have read posts like that or similar ones.

Then I remembered what I always tell my clients. 

"People want to hire experts, not generalists.

Position yourself as an expert and you will have a better chance of standing out in today's competitive marketplace. And if you can find "that thing" you are an expert in that no one else can be, then you are in a niche all your own. With no competition, you are the ONLY choice for someone who is looking for what you have on offer."

This is why personal branding - leveraging what is unique and compelling about yourself to drive your success - is at the core of the work that I do.  I work with my clients to first find "that thing" - or unearth their unique value - and then clearly and powerfully communicate that value to those who who need "that thing" most.

So what are some resources to help job seekers position themselves as experts? Resources that help you increase your visibility?

Three resources come to mind.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Choice of Becoming an Expat

The choice of moving abroad is not one to be taken lightly. Without making informed decisions and proper preparation, the dream of living "la dolce vita" can quickly turn into a nightmare.

A resource that can provide you with help in making this important decision is a book that I had the honor of contributing to: Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Truth about Moving Abroad and Whether It’s Right for You.

The author, Paul Allen, is a freelance journalist and writer. Having left his native England to live and work in New York City as managing editor with a leading financial publisher, Paul then swapped city life for the beauty of north-eastern Spain in 2003.

Spurred by the “lucky you” comments of colleagues and friends, who seemed to be under the impression that life overseas was one long fiesta, Paul took up the challenge of revealing both the bright and dark sides to living abroad, hoping it would help people better decide if they too should make the move. And so his book was born. 

Paul graciously agreed to answer a few questions regarding some of the issues he covers in his book.

The Top 10: Which Countries are Best for Women Expats?

I think that women's preferences are so diverse that creating a list of the best & worst countries for female expats can be difficult.  But there are a few factors that can give us real insight into where some good bets might be and where you should definitely think twice before going.

INCOME

According to UNDP, there are many countries where women earn less than 50% of men's income, including Benin, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Eritrea, Cape Verde and Yemen. It is important to understand that when you are living in a culture where it is accepted that women make significantly less money than men for the same job it can be more difficult to secure a well-paying job or negotiate for raises one you have secured a job. 

Expat Expert Robin Pascoe Releases New Online Lecture Series on Successful Living Abroad

Author Robin Pascoe, who created ExpatExpert.com in 1998 to support globally, mobile families, recently posted a new online video lecture series (free) which addresses many of the major challenges of adjusting to life abroad which she writes about in her books in support of the mobile, expat family.

While the lecture is offered in bite-sized segments of three-to-five minutes, the entire program runs one hour and is based on her lecture “Successful Living Abroad” which she has delivered to expat communities around the world.

Topics covered include the subject of her four books for the expat spouse and family:

• Loss of Identity
• Loss of a traditional career
• Raising global nomads and parenting abroad
• Family cultural shock
• Moveable Marriages
• Repatriation