Success Tips for Expat & International Careers

Internationalizing Your Bio to Support Your Domestic and International Job Search

Having an 'internationalized' professional bio is a must if you want to be seriously considered for international jobs and assignments. 

 

An Internationalized Bio Helps You at Home and Abroad

But in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace, even if you are not looking to work abroad, having a more international profile can help you in your job search.

By differentiating yourself - by being more 'global' - you are more likely to stand out. The global presentation will strengthen your application for many types of positions. 

As more companies are doing business internationally and virtually, global teams become more common.  Many employers are now considering the ability to work across cultures as a highly desired, if not required, skill set. Hence presenting as more of a 'global citizen' will help you attract job opportunities wherever you are in the world. 

Choosing the Right Target Cultures, Roles and Organizations is Critical to Your International Job Search and International Career Success

As a result of globalization and increased opportunities due to the need for specific skill sets overseas, more and more people are looking to work abroad. 

 

Why Do You Want to Work Abroad?

But before deciding to embark on an international job search, it’s important to understand why you are interested in working abroad so that you can create a path and choose targets that will move you in the right direction.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want international experience to advance my career, experience a different lifestyle, or both?
• Am I interested in a short-term or single overseas assignment to help differentiate myself in an overcrowded marketplace, or do I want to work abroad for an extended period of time?
• Is my goal to acquire overseas experience to position myself for a senior or C-suite position at a global company, or simply to develop new skills sets?
• Do you feel the need to work abroad because you are struggling to find a job in your home country, or are you interested in making a greater impact in the world?

Networking & International Job Search: Having the Right Mindset and Goals for Networking Success

For those interested in learning about the the importance of setting networking goals for your expat career and international job search or how the right mindset is key to networking success should read my latest articles on Expat Focus,

In one article I discuss the signifciant impact that a lack of goals can have on the experience of networking itself as well as your networking success. In the other I discuss the impact that having the right mindset can have on both your short-term and long-term networking efforts.

Mindset and goals are often overlooked aspects of networking and the right ones can dramatically affect the pace at which you can build your global network for international job search success.

And given that on average 75% of jobs are unadvertised (and therefore found through people) and on average 66% of jobs are secured through employee referrals, these articles are worth a read - particularly if you are not getting the results that you want from your networking.

 

EXPAT and INTERNATIONAL CAREER SUCCESS TIP: If you are considering starting or are currently in an international job search, consider the mindset you are taking in your networking efforts. If it is more about taking first rather than giving, try changing your approach and see if your results improve. And if you are feeling unfulfilled and drained from your networking efforts, consider setting specific networking goals to keep you focused on what you really need to set you up for success.