Success Tips for Expat & International Careers

Ask the Expat & International Career Coach: How Do I Build a Career Abroad When I Don't Speak Another Language?

This is the next post in my "ASK THE EXPAT & INTERNATIONAL CAREER COACH" blog series. 

Today's question is very common one I get when speaking to people considering building a career overseas. Some are overseas already but feel predominantly held back professionally because of their lack of language skills. 

 

"HOW DO I BUILD A CAREER ABROAD WHEN I DON'T SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?" 

Only speaking your native language obviously significantly limits the number of job opportunities available to you in other countries where your mother tongue is not spoken.  

This not only has an impact on your chances of building a professional life but also being able to enjoy living in that country from a lifestyle perspective. Of course many expats take language classes before or after they've arrived in their new home to develop a functional fluency which does allow for engagement but not immersion into their new home culture. If that approach works for you and your native language is the one you are looking to depend on professionally, you still have options. 

 

The first and obvious option is to find other countries where your language is spoken. When I ask people how many countries speak their language, very few can give me an accurate number. People are generally surprised to find out how many countries from which they have to choose. 

 

Ask The Expat & International Career Coach: How Do I Make Sure I Get a Fair Relocation Package?

This is the next post in my "ASK THE EXPAT CAREER COACH" blog series that I started in 2009. You can read my very first post in the series: "Why Work Abroad?".

Today's question is another very common question I get when expatriates are trying to cost out whether or not taking a job abroad is right for them and their family.

"HOW DO I MAKE SURE I GET A FAIR RELOCATION PACKAGE?"

Despite the global economic crisis, the demand for highly skilled professionals still exists. Many companies realize that they must must still pay their professionals well if they want to stay ahead in the war for good talent.  If you are clear on your unique value (or personal brand) and have communicated it effectively to the decision-makers, then you should feel confident about negotiating for a relocation package from a position of strength.

However a recent study in International Journal of Human Resource Management reports that companies globally are not recognizing the importance of compensation to in expat retention.  To reduce mobility costs, some companies have been moving to localize their expats or provide local plus packages (traditional expatriate compensation package with reduced benefits).  This has often created the drive or the need for the expat to look for higher paying employment elsewhere.

Ask The Expat Career Coach: Why Work Abroad?

I often get the same questions about expatriate careers and businesses from people through a variety of my online and social networks.  In the interest of answering these questions so that more expats may benefit, I've decided to create an "ASK THE EXPAT CAREER COACH" blog post series. I'll start with one of the most common questions I get asked:

 

"WHY WORK ABROAD?"

Working abroad can give you invaluable experience that will not only help you differentiate yourself from your competitors (a key element of a strong personal brand), but will help you develop skills sets valued by employers. One study done by Hays recruitment indicated that over 80% of professionals who worked abroad felt that it helped them in their careers.  

Most employers value the initiative demonstrated by those who pursue work abroad, and the demonstrated ability to handle ambiguity and new challenges. With workforces becoming more multicultural and diverse, learning new languages and to develop cross cultural communications skills abroad can also serve you once you've returned home. And living and working in another culture not only helps you be more flexible and adaptable, but develops your aptitude for looking at systems and problems from new and different perspectives. Studies have shown that living abroad enhances your creativity and negotiation skills.

As today's markets are becoming more and more global, having experience working in different markets, within different business systems, operating under different types of regulation, will be seen as an asset and gives you a breadth and depth of experience that few others will be able to claim.  It also helps to broaden you network globally, another valued and potentially differentiating asset.

 

Due to differences in climate, cost of living and culture, working abroad also affords you the opportunity to experience a very different lifestyle. I can say that much of my own learning and growth has come from living and working in many different countries. The opportunity to have new experiences and explore new cultures is one that most expats treasure.

I could go on...particularly around all of the benefits of living in another culture that working abroad affords you, but would love to hear from other expats why they've chosen to work abroad.  

If you are an expat working abroad, will you share your reasons for choosing to work in another country in the comment section below so that others may learn from your experience?

YOUR EXPAT CAREER and BUSINESS SUCCESS TIP: If you are considering pursuing working abroad for any significant amount of time, it's likely you have concerns about such a choice.  Perhaps you fear it will be difficult to "reenter" the workforce in your home country, or will not be able to manage the cross-cultural challenges you'll face working in a foreign country. Making the right choice means making an informed choice. So I want you to not only make a list of all of the benefits of working abroad you can think of, but also brainstorm how your experience working overseas will make you more attractive to future employers, no matter where your next destination may be. Knowing all the benefits will help you make a more informed decision moving forward.