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Article from The Straits Times, Recruit, 28th July 2003
BEFORE YOU SPREAD YOUR WINGS…..
Article contributed by Clement Ong, senior consultant, NeXT Career Consulting.
Website: www.nextcareer.net
If you’re dreaming of an overseas job, take off those rose-tinted glasses and take a long, hard look at what it really takes to live and work in a foreign country.
Working abroad to gain overseas experience and a global outlook can prove to be an integral part of your personal and career development.
While you are reading this, someone may have just packed his bags and set off for greener pastures abroad.
Different countries present different job opportunities at different times. Keeping abreast of current trends by reading widely, talking to people and taking advantage of the Internet are no longer options but necessities for survival and to realise that dream of working abroad.
However, working overseas is not a bed of roses and one must be prepared for the challenges and a degree of hardship.
There are benefits too, but you must weigh them against the risks involved. So what are some of the things you must consider before you decide to pack your bags and go? Here’s a quick list :
Are you in charge of your career?
Going abroad because you can’t get a job here or because your company is sending you is different from wanting to gain international experience, exposure to new environments and a better understanding of different markets. Determine your real motivation for wanting to work abroad.
Do you have what it takes to do well in that position?
Assess your skills and see how they match with the job market overseas. It will be useful to talk to expatriates from the country you would like to work in. This will add an important dimension to your understanding of job prospects before you leave home. Tapping on the “expertise” of friends who have worked overseas, or in that particular country, may help too.
Do you understand the country’s culture and are you able to embrace changes?
You’ll probably first want to understand your immigration status in the country you plan to go to. Get information from the country’s consulate in Singapore. In many countries, you will need an employer to sponsor you for a work permit. Effectively, this will mean getting a job first.
Do your homework before you leave. Contact the country’s embassy and obtain first-hand, current knowledge about the country you are heading to. Be prepared for things not to run smoothly during the settling-in period. You will take some time to understand how things are done and to get around.
Be ready for culture shocks. For example, in Singapore, guests are taken to hawker centres for a taste of good local cuisine. However, in Hong Kong, guests are usually entertained at higher-class restaurants because people are more status-conscious. In the United States, you will have to get used to speaking up as it reflects your passion for your work. Also, take into serious consideration your language skills. The key is to fit into the new culture.
Have you sorted out your family issues and finances?
An important consideration for those who want to work abroad is their family going with them. This is critical as marriages have been known to fail as a result of one partner relocating and leaving the family behind.
But moving the family means your spouse’s career will be affected and your children’s education may be disrupted.
Organise an exploratory visit with your family members. Don’t let a simple issue such as accommodation ruin your plans.
Sort out your finances and the details of your package before you make that decision. Remember that relocation costs, hardship allowances, children’s education, living expenses and loss of your spouse’s income must all be factored in. Weigh up your tax options. Study how the tax laws of the country can be beneficial or detrimental to you.
Are you really prepared?
Working overseas can be harsh, especially in a less developed country. You and your family members must be prepared both mentally and physically. A short sabbatical to think seriously about what you are getting yourself into may prove useful.
In the worst-case scenario, are you prepared to face the situation where things do not work out for any reason and you have to return to your home country without a job waiting for you?
Increasingly, candidates with international experience are viewed positively by recruiters. They are seen as risk-takers, more open-minded, flexible and adaptable.
If all turns out well, working overseas opens up a world of new ideas that help to set you apart from other candidates in this highly competitive job market.
Engage a career management or overseas placement consultant for advice if necessary.
If the prospects are good, pluck up your courage, buy your plane ticket and, for all you know, the hardest decision may be whether you want to come back!
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