While sitting in my apartment on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon in Milan, I started to think about a piece I wrote last month (Jan 2008) entitled The Expat’s Survival Guide – Go from expatriate to compatriot. It really got me thinking about the first part of that article and, thus, the first part of my overseas career. Where and when did it all begin? How did I arrive at this point in my life…in my career? Basically, how did I come to live and work in Milan? Thinking back, my path was neither linear nor so clear. Not to say that I didn’t have goals.
What I want to get across is that there is no clear cut way of obtaining an overseas work assignment. The light at the end of the tunnel came after an advanced degree, building up years of professional experience in a multitude of places, and, let’s face it -- persistence.
There are so many ways in which a person can arrive in a foreign country. From my first day in Milan, I have met individuals with diverse backgrounds. Some of their reasons for being in Milan included academic or study abroad programs, following a partner or spouse, government posts, advanced research and science projects, journalistic assignments, entrepreneurial initiatives, consulting, or corporate expat work. The list is endless. As for me, I can only speak to my own professional experience and the steps I took to being recruited by a large Italian multinational.
Below I’ve tried to outline some suggestions to help jumpstart your overseas job search.
Look inside first. In today’s global economy almost every business has an overseas presence -- a supplier, a distributor or a branch office in some other part of the world. Furthermore, the internet has made it possible for even small-to-medium size companies to compete in markets far from home. Granted, the bigger the company the more likely there will be a formal structure for moving employees from one office to another. Also, bigger companies will more likely be able to handle the legal issues tied to relocating employees.
Survival tip: If you are currently working for a multinational, check out what is happening internally. This might be your best shot of transferring abroad. Given that you have a solid track record, the first step is to get into an international department or role in your current company. This, generally, requires networking. My very first international experience started when I convinced the vice president within my group to allow me to manage international assignments which included frequent travel abroad. While I was not relocated to another office, I was building up my international experience for my next role. On top of that, I was becoming sensitive to the various cultural issues in foreign work environments. While cultural sensitivity sounds like a non-issue, it is not. Moving a person overseas requires enormous effort and resources, thus it is imperative for companies to choose individuals that are not only talented but adaptive.
Go to business school abroad. Thinking about getting an MBA? There are a multitude of options to pursue including many programs that specialize in preparing business professionals for international assignments. From 10 month to two-year programs in almost any discipline you can imagine, an MBA can give you the education, insight and edge over other professionals. By attending an international business school you are demonstrating to your current or future employer that you are serious about an international career. Plus, it gives you access to classmates and alumni with international contacts and jobs.
Survival tip: An advanced degree is not for everyone. Business school is a decision that should be well thought out as it requires substantial financial commitment and personal sacrifice. Additionally, there are no guarantees that you will get the job that you desire. A bad economy or recession can limit recruiting and thus put you in the “unemployed” camp. With that said; an advanced education gives you the tools to develop new skills and provides you with credentials and resources that can be leveraged throughout your career. While the choices are unlimited, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you want out of an advanced degree. Do your due diligence to determine if your goals and objectives are reasonable and inline with the strengths of the program. I attended a very small international school that required all students to focus on a geographical area overseas and do an internship abroad as well. Basically, you could not graduate if you did not meet this requirement. There are many books and resources that rank and explain the pros and cons of the best business school programs. The following two resources get into the nuts and bolts of the top global MBA programs: www.ft.com/businesseducation/schools2007 and www.businessweek.com/bschools. It is also important to speak with current students and past alums to get first-hand feedback.