Expat & International Careers: New Strategies Required for Career Success Abroad in Today's Global Marketplace

Having 20 years experience in career, organizational and business development in 40+ countries, I can tell you that the world of work is going through some dramatic changes right now. Companies and organizations worldwide recognize they must expand outside their borders if they want to survive, but must do so with less resources. International assignments (and their compensation packages) are being redefined to minimize costs while meeting staffing needs overseas. A complex and dynamic global economic climate means things change quickly and organizations must be able to adapt and respond accordingly.

 

Current career and talent management strategies no longer work

Despite widespread unemployment, there are incredible skill shortages and an unmet demand for talent worldwide. This is leaving companies unable to fill positions necessary to drive growth outside their borders and capitalize on opportunities in new and emerging markets. Organizations are trying numerous strategies to attract and retain their talent while developing their global competencies. And yet we have high jobless rates and reports showing that 30+% of expat professionals and executives are actively looking for new jobs while abroad and a third of them leave their company within a year of returning home. 

Why is there a disconnect between the supply of and demand for talent?

One of the reasons is because career and talent management strategies effective even a few years ago are not working in today's global employment climate. 

 

There are no one-size-fits all solutions

Living and working abroad while supporting those who do (or aspire to), I am seeing all of these changes first hand. Given my experience working across many sectors, industries, economies and countries - profit and non-profit, developed and developing worlds - I can also tell you that there are no one-size-fits all solutions.

Without an in-depth understanding of what you offer and the ability to customize your approach to advancing your career or business to the changing needs in your target market, sector, culture and organizations, your chances of finding work or clients and succeed overseas are greatly reduced.

 

Some important principles to follow to support your success abroad 

That said, there are some important things to remember when seeking jobs or clients in the global marketplace:

• Without clear targets - job/role or clients, markets, cultures, organizations - it is impossible to create a map to get you where you want to go. But just as importantly clear targets allow you to focus your efforts and gain critical intelligence necessary to compete with other highly qualified candidates and influence the right decision makers.

• Without the right intelligence you have very little chance of making your value proposition extremely relevant, compelling and respectful of the cultural forces at work in your target market and country.

• A generic value proposition or personal brand - a message of value that could describe thousands of others and does not truly speak to the values or the needs of its target - will help you simply get lost in the massive global pool of talent.

• A generic strategy for how to run an interational client or job search will not equip you to successfully navigate the unique terrain dictated by your targets. Going over water or through mountains, desert, swamp or forest - or a combination of those things - each requires a different sets of tools, strategies and approaches. An one-size-fits-all strategy will inhibit your ability to succeed. 

• Not considering the impact that culture will have in every step of your journey to find for international job or clients can do an equally good job of sabotaging your search. 

 

The bottom line

The reality of today is that if you are not moving forward in your search for work abroad then you are likely moving backwards. Missing opportunities presented by this dynamic employment climate are ones that your competitors will happily take for you.

To be clear, that is not a suggestion to run out and take action without having addressed those 5 issues mentioned above. Action driven by impatience or anxiety rather than informed strategy rarely gets you where you want to go.

Build a foundation for your search that will support you. Do the digging, the work and the research to understand the factors to consider in developing your approach and put together a compelling, relevant message of value so you can realize more career or business success abroad.

EXPAT CAREER SUCCESS TIP: If you are a current or aspiring expat searching for clients or work abroad without success, rather than continuing to follow the same strategies and approaches and getting same results, just stop. Reflect. Ask yourself: do I have clear targets? the right competitor and market intelligence? a relevant and compelling brand? is my approach customized to my target? have I addressed the influences that culture will play in my search? Then before taking any more action do what it takes so that you can answer all of those questions with a yes.

 

Would you like to use this article in your newsletter or website? Permission will be given to those who include this information: Author: Megan Fitzgerald, expat and international career coach, helps forward-thinking expats become highly visible, sought after experts and leaders and succeed abroad. Sign up for her free international career success tips: www.careerbychoiceblog.com

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  career by choice can help you...become an expat and experience a global lifestyle ~ explore international career options and find work abroad ~ understand your Brand DNA and how you can perform at your best ~ clarify your personal brand to stand out and be sought after for top jobs overseas ~ develop branded tools and strategies to communicate your unique expertise in a differentiating, compelling way ~ strengthen and manage your online reputation to attract employers and clients worldwide ~ leverage your expert status to become highly visible, recognized and well compensated for the value you create ~ leverage social media to build your global online network ~ conduct an international job search ~ manage transitions and overcome challenges during international assignments ~ provide an international career coach and experienced guide to help you think, live & work global ~ optimize your career choices and discover success abroad on your terms by being your best self ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comments

[Darrell Lee]

I think its hard to slow down when there is so much pressure (and desire) to get a new job. But I see that just acting and not doing this foundation work will reduce the impact (or worse) of all of the actions I will take to reach my goals. I look forward to learning more from future blog posts.

[Megan Fitzgerald]

Thanks for your thoughts Darrell. I agree its not easy. If it was, we'd have more professionally fulfilled people in the world. But the good news is that there are things you can do about it. Do keep doing the work mentioned above and things will change.

To your success abroad,
Megan

[Sydney James]

This post was very informative; I thank you for that. I do have an additional question and was wondering if the writer of this post or any readers could answer. My question is: Do you believe and or know that an ivy or other top-tier college/university produces more successful AND happier people than a college than a slightly lesser of a counterpart? Is it fair to say that the college you go to contributes to your overall enjoyment of life due to the career choices/life directions it takes you? I am questioning as to whether the stress, success, and attributes of top-tier graduates are good or bad. Examples would likely help. Thanks!

[Megan Fitzgerald]

Hi Sydney,

I don't think there is an easy answer to this question. I went to an Ivy League school in the US. I have benefitted from my experience there in many ways - the doors it has opened, the credibility it brings, the learning, and in some ways most importantly the people that I met there. Some of them I still consider my closest friends. But my experience cannot be a definitive measuring stick for other people.

University years can be a time where you can learn a lot about yourself and the world as well as have experiences that will help mold your future path. Setting yourself up for success by tuning into what is right for you - what environments and conditions will help you grow and thrive - is what I would recommend.

I hope that was helpful.

My best,
Megan