Planning to Explore International Opportunities? What You Need to Know
January 29, 2025
By Erica Yanney, Forbes Councils Member
Some of us are explorers. We enjoy pushing the limits and boundaries, getting to know new cultures and expanding our horizons. If you are one of those professionals considering going global and growing your career abroad, I would love to offer you some insights into areas to consider and how to prepare for this remarkable transformation and transition.
1. Moving Abroad Is A Family Undertaking
The first aspect you should consider is your family. This transformation will require a lot from them. A friend who used to work helping expat families once told me that the number one reason for an unsuccessful expat experience was the family's difficulty in adapting to the new culture and country, not the expat himself or herself. So it's highly important to think about your entire family.
Prepare and support your family psychologically for the challenge ahead of time; this diminishes surprises and prevents unrealistic expectations that could cause frustration. During the process, keep yourself aware of the struggles your family may be experiencing. This awareness will allow you to discuss, provide support, find professional help and help everybody in your family handle the cultural adaptation hurdles along the way to prevent a return caused by family burnout.
Reading and learning about the culture together as a family, discussing realities ahead of time and nurturing your kids' and significant other's self-confidence to win the adaptation game will be excellent preparation steps. Also, encourage the family to network with other expat families to start developing connections. You will need to build a new network of support for yourself and your family. Through these engagements, you can also gather helpful information from people who have gone through the process before.
The more informed you are about everything, the easier it will be for you and your family.
2. You And Your Significant Other Will Need Jobs
If you both immigrate independently, you will both need to find a job. You may have a job lined up, but what about your significant other? How will he or she restart his or her career in the new country? Careers are a huge part of our lives and can generate a lot of meaning and sense of purpose. To set your family up for success in the endeavor of moving abroad, think about your significant other's career.
As mentioned before, your loved one’s adaptation can make or break the success of the family transition; therefore, seeking career coaching for your partner in the new country will be highly important. Understanding the context of the corporate world, work regulations that may be different (which can sometimes force a career change) and cultural norms and expectations around résumés, job search strategies and interview etiquette in your new country will be paramount.
And knowing this in advance may provide a sense of comfort, help avoid disappointments when arriving in the country and speed up the process of job searching.
3. Planning And Navigating Your New Life
Going through such a radical change can be an excellent moment to rethink your life and values and set a vision for a more ideal lifestyle that you dream of achieving. Every change brings about possibilities.
A coach could be a good support to help you navigate the planning and execution of your vision. Coaching can also help you manage the uncertainties and complexities of the many decisions involved in this process. Coaching can bring clarity, support and peace during the tempestuous change, offering space for reflection, support and decision-making. Coaching could also be very beneficial in helping you and your significant other navigate specific areas of your life, like social interactions, relationships with locals and adapting to the environment.
If your significant other stays at home with the kids, they may need extra encouragement and opportunities to process feelings so that they do not feel isolated and lonely without support and away from friends and family. Engaging in social activities, communities and events will be important to avoid loneliness and isolation.
4. Setting Yourself Up For Professional Success Abroad
Here are some questions I believe are important to ponder about the impact of this change in your career:
• Why am I moving?
• What do I hope to accomplish? What benefits am I pursuing?
• What does this change mean for the big picture of my career?
• What is the downside? What do I lose?
• What is the upside? What do I gain?
• What is the balance between pros and cons?
• How will I need to transform and adapt to be successful in this new corporate culture?
• What is the potential for growth from this position moving forward?
• What steps do I need to take to be successful in this new role?
• What internal narratives do I need to monitor to remain positive and open?
• How do I plan to overcome language and cultural barriers?
Understanding your "whys," what this change means for you and the new you that will need to emerge for success in this new endeavor will be a wonderful process of professional transformation and growth.
Final Thoughts
Change is hard; compound change is even more so! Immigration involves systemic change in most areas of your life simultaneously, which can be very overwhelming. It can be a rewarding step, but it requires research, preparation and grit to become successful. Are you ready to face it? Will it be worth it? Only you and your family can answer that question. A career happens in the context of your whole life. Make sure you plan this step holistically and involve your family in the process to maximize the potential for success.
Wherever your dreams take you, keep yourself curious, open to the new and courageous throughout the process. I am sure you can set yourself up for success if you plan it well. Good journeying!