Global Career Blog |  Your Global Job Search Guide!

Take the Expat Explorer Survey 2010 by June 1st

HSBC is proud to once again be undertaking the Expat Explorer survey – the largest survey of expats across the globe. The involvement of expatriate respondents has helped reveal what a fascinating experience the expat life really is.

With an ever changing world, the expat life continues to differ from country to country. HSBC offers this survey to you as a means of expats telling their story. Gathering insight will help to shed more light on a highly diverse and far-reaching range of individuals. The more participants they have, the more complete their view.

In 2009, the survey allowed HSBC to delve deep into the lives of expats on an unprecedented scale, revealing some fascinating trends. There were an additional 1,000 new respondents taking part in the survey compared to the previous year, with a total of over 3,100 expats from over 50 countries participating and demonstrating how expat life differs in a range of countries across the globe.

With your help HSBC hopes to make the 2010 survey bigger and better than ever, so if you are an expat and can spare 10-15 minutes of your time to fill out the survey, please visit the following site:

http://www1.gfk-wi.com/wix/p76220993.aspx?WT.mc_id=HBIB_2010_04_EE_006

HSBC would be truly grateful. As a gesture of HSBC’s appreciation, you will automatically receive the survey reports once they become available as well as the option to participate in other HSBC Expat related polls during the year.

Make sure your expat voices are heard.

5 Tips for an International Job Search

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

There are many considerations when launching an international job search. You need to think about including what you want to do versus what opportunities are available, who are your potential contacts, where to look for potential openings, and how to apply for jobs. Here are a few tips you may not have considered:

1. Understand your competition. When searching for a job as an expat in another country it would be helpful to remember that your competition will mostly likely consist of locals. There are many foreign-educated localscompeting for the best jobs in most countries; even though there may not be many expats in the market, and despite the fact that in some countries scores of locals may be leaving the country to pursue better lives abroad, there is still a good base of qualified locals to fill the best positions.

2. Be prepared to negotiate in a culturally-appropriate way. Getting things done in some countries can be tricky. Negotiating can come in handy when dealing with government employees and tough employers. Just be careful not to cross the line; cash is often considered a bribe, but gifts may be appropriate in some countries and cultures. Learn the culturally-appropriate ways to negotiate in your destination country, including how to communicate appropriately, how to ask for someone’s time, how to negotiate a salary, and how to find out about job openings. You can find some information online, such as at Kwintessential, for tips on how to do this.

3. Create a solid network of contacts. The old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is very applicable in most countries. Meeting people in a new country can be challenging, but in most cases, there should be no shortage of chances to make contacts. You can most likely find exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and roundtable discussions open to the general public. Finding them is relatively easy if you know how to connect with the expat and professional community. Attending the events is a perfect opportunity to make new professional contacts on neutral turf. Expat Women has an excellent list of expat groups around the world.

4. Know the business environment. More and more international companies and organizations are entering into emerging markets, creating opportunities for expats and locals alike. Stay connected with what has been happening through the Chambers of Commerce in the country.

5. Market your expat status. As an expat you have certain qualities and skills that will be valuable to many companies. Your knowledge of the business environment in your home country could be very useful in another country. Your language skills or university education can be very attractive to potential employers, and your different take on business, ethical, cultural, and political issues will certainly help your colleagues to develop a more well-rounded view of the world. Living and working in another country will allow you to learn and teach at the same time.

We’d like to hear from you! What tips do you have to share with others on an international job search?

JOB SEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Morocco

Surviving During Tough Economic Times

by Amanda Antara

In a global economy, one country’s economic downfalls are felt the world over.  With major multinational companies established in Morocco, things are no different.  However, life in Morocco provides many advantages to doing well with limited means.  Here are a few tips and tricks to finding a job and living well in Morocco.

Start the Job Search Before You Arrive

Look and apply for jobs before arriving to Morocco.  There are many websites, such as www.anapec.ma, that allow users to search and apply for jobs from anywhere in the world.  In Morocco, things tend to move slowly and it may take months before a call comes in for an interview.

Submitting your application from abroad gives job seekers a head start in the job hunt and limits the amount of time spent in country without employment.

You’ll need to have a reliable internet connection and check in on leads often.  Follow up with employers by visiting their website for contact emails and phone numbers.  Employers might hesitate to call an international phone number, so show them you are willing to invest in your future by making the call.  Also, let them know you are reachable by email or via computer phone programs such as Skype.

You can also network from abroad with social networking online sites such as LinkedIn,Yahoo groups and Ning.com networks.  Search groups by interest area, region you plan to live or career field.  Once you join the group be active and ask for resources.  Tell the group members you are job seeking and what type of employment you are looking for.  Their connections may lead you to a job opportunity.

Live Where Expats Live

Casablanca, Marakesh and Fes have the highest expat communities in Morocco.  Where there are expats there are opportunities.  Higher concentrations of expats are most likely due to job opportunities in those cities as opposed to smaller towns and rural areas.

Casablanca is the commercial capital of Morocco with hundreds of multinational corporations operating in multiple languages.  The chances for finding a high paying corporate job are better here than in Rabat where most business is government-centered. Marakesh and Fes are booming tourism centers for the country so jobs in this sector are more plentiful.

Places with higher concentrations of expats also give more in country networking opportunities as well.  Take advantage of expat gatherings and be vocal about what you’re looking for.  Ask other expats how they found work and if they have any connections and advice.  Provide them with a way to contact you as well as getting contact information to follow-up with them after the event.

To find out about social events, check with your local embassy for social and professional groups and ask about popular expat hangouts.  In Fes, try the popular Café Clock where many expats like to hang out and meet up.

If You Don’t Speak a Second Language, Learn One Before You Go

While some opportunities do exist for English-only speakers in Morocco, they are mainly limited to teaching English and call center jobs.  Learning French or Arabic will open up a host of opportunities to job seekers interested in working different sectors or opening their own business in Morocco.

If you have to choose one, French is more commonly used in business especially in correspondence even when Arabic is the language spoken around the office.   It will be just as useful negotiating around town as many people in Morocco speak French in addition to Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect.

Many people use a down economy to go back to school to learn a new skill or trade or earn a higher degree.  Join the legions of new students and enroll in language classes at a local community college or university.  Plan to continue language studies when you arrive in Morocco through private schools or language centers if needed.

Live Cheap. It’s easy in Morocco!

In Morocco, it’s relatively easy to live within a very limited budget.  From housing options to fresh food availability and transportation, a person can get by on limited means.

There is a variety of housing available for both rent and purchase in Morocco.  Additionally, rental agreements are much more flexible than typical leases in other countries.  In fact, some landlords prefer shorter leasing terms when it comes to apartment rentals.

In the beginning, rent a bare bones apartment and buy only the furniture you must have to live.  Once you find work and are more financially stable you can move to a nicer apartment or villa with better accommodations and buy more furniture.  A very basic apartment can be rented for as little as $125 USD.

When it comes to food, shop at the souks instead of the pricier supermarkets.  You can get fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, eggs, yogurt, beans and spices for 25-30 DH (about $3-4 USD).  You can make sandwiches, salads, omelets and bean dishes and you’ll be eating a healthy, balanced diet at the same time.

Take the bus instead of taxis.  Sure, taxis in Morocco aren’t all that expensive, but a 12 DH ride to the city center is only 3.5 DH on the bus.  The savings are immediate and add up quickly.  The bus systems in the major cities are relatively easy to learn and quite reliable.

Wrap-up

There are many ways to survive and thrive during a job search in Morocco–even in a down economy. Enjoy the adventure!

Share your ideas on how to survive a job search in your country. Add your comments below!

Amanda Antara has a M.A. in public administration and enjoyed an 8 year career in student affairs at a small private liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland in the USA until June 2008. She gave up her career, apartment (and all its furnishings!), and car to live in Morocco for two years with her husband.  She currently lives in Rabat and enjoys reading, writing, and traveling around the country.  A short stint at a small call center in Casablanca taught her all she needed to know about finding work as an expat in Morocco.

The Secret to a Smooth Expat Transition©

by Dr. Gayle Scroggs, A.C.C., C.M.C.
www.essencecoaching.com

Making a successful significant change in one’s personal or professional life takes extra energy and planning. Moving to a new place in your life or on the globe can involve major stress or fear, and yet it can be a major opportunity. How you handle it makes all the difference.

Within my clients and in my own life, I’ve noticed there are two key questions we need to answer for ourselves in transitions:

What are you moving FROM?

What are you moving TOWARD?

As William Bridges asserts in Managing Transitions, we may land or be pushed into a new place physically before we are psychologically ready. It is as if the boat has left the dock with just our body, leaving our heart and mind abandoned on the familiar shore.

Later, as we get underway, we can find ourselves buffeted by unexpected foreign winds – the new experiences and unfamiliar places and faces. This is rocky sailing (and we know how that feels!). However, you can steer your boat with more assurance and direction through these uncharted waters.

One way to make your transition smoother is to create your own personally meaningful “transitions ritual” – one that fully honors your past successes and joys in your home country while opening up possibilities for future ones. While it may be most effective before departing, it can still be very healing and energizing post-landing.

Here are some ideas to get you started—and then let our own creativity and desires take flight!

Designing Your “Good Bye/Hello” Ceremony

What has meaning is unique to each person, so I share these steps as just one example of how you might go about creating something that works for you.

STEP ONE: ACKNOWLEDGE ANY LOSSES. As my client Marta discovered, a good place to start designing a transition ritual is with acknowledging the losses while practicing savoring and gratitude, two very key concepts for well being, as positive psychology research demonstrates.

Marta decided to write out a list of what and whom she was leaving behind, notably the people whose lives she touched and who touched hers. She allowed herself time to savor the good memories. Then from her balcony she let loose a helium balloon labeled with all that she would need to let go of in order to move forward. As it sailed away, she focused on feeling grateful for the gifts that those connections had brought her.

STEP TWO: CREATE AN EMOTIONAL BRIDGE. Next she identified one particular “transitional object,” in this case, a special fountain pen, which she would carry with her to connect her past with her future. I have several transitional objects scattered around my house, including family photographs, a mini-replica of the Statue of Liberty, and seashells from my old summer haunts, among others.)

These allow us to feel a psychological continuity as we go through our days in our new location. As much as we may grow tremendously and re-create much of ourselves abroad, we can also draw upon the strengths and values of our origins (to which most of us return, at least for visits, if not eventual repatriation).

STEP THREE: INSPIRE THE FUTURE. While you may choose to engage in a private ritual, some find that a shared ritual offers additional meaning. In the final phase of her transition, Marta chose to invite a few close friends to join her. Guests were asked to bring cards with inspirational quotations for success and joy for her future. She plans to keep these on her new desk as reminders of her new possibilities. She will keep with it the list of important others as a reminder of her continuing ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

The mere act of designing the ritual proved uplifting, Marta reported. By acknowledging our gratitude for our good past experiences while anticipating future ones, we get more closure and generate more energy in our transitions.

May your next transition be smooth sailing. . . and even transforming!

2009, Dr. Gayle Scroggs,  A.C.C., C.M.C., Global Professional and Life Coach
www.essencecoaching.com - for more success, joy, and meaning in your journey
www.positivelyexpat.com - positive psychology for expats and global professionals & co-author of the just released Women’s Paths to Happiness,  a positive psychology guide for women who want to live and work at their best, available at www.womenspathstohappiness.com.

Working Holiday Visa – Work Abroad Easily

by Juliette Giannesini

Have you ever wanted to gain some work experience abroad?

Most people assume that working abroad is synonym with finding an employer willing to do the immigration paperwork on your behalf or immigrating permanently.

But there is an easier way: the Working Holiday Visa (WHV).

What is the working holiday visa?

The WHV is a work and travel permit issue by one of the many participating countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

WHV agreements are reciprocal, which means that if a French person can get a WHV for Canada and a Canadian a WHV for France.

WHV’s main goal is to allow young people to experience living in a foreign country. It strongly encourages them to explore the country and to work to supplement their travel funds. Alternatively, some participants choose to base themselves in a city and immerse themselves in the local culture.

What are usually the requirements?

Requirements vary depending on the country issuing the WHV. You will need to check information about a specific WHV with its embassy (e.g. if you are English and want to get a WHV for Canada, you have to check the Canadian Embassy’s website).

Typically, a WHV:

·     is intended for a certain age group. Generally speaking, you need to be at least 18 years old and under 35 years old.

·     is valid for one year. Some WHV can be extended; some can even lead to permanent immigration visas.

·     has a relatively straightforward application process.

·     Ii much cheaper than regular work or immigration visa. It varies depending on the country, but it ranges from free to roughly US$300.

·     is available once in a lifetime, for each country.

·     doesn’t require you to be a student.

Tips on getting a WHV

So, what’s the catch? Well, none really. However, you may want to make sure of the following:

·     When you apply for a WHV, you often need to show that you have sufficient funds. Sufficient funds are determined by the country you are going to work in and they typically aim at making sure you can cover your living expenses for a few months without working.

·     Only a certain number of WHV are issued per year per country. If the quota is reached, applicants are encouraged to apply again when the quota is reset, which is usually at the beginning of the calendar year.

·     The main goal of the WHV is to allow people to discover a new culture, to travel in the country and to work if needed. It is fine to just work and not travel or the opposite, it is fine if you want to apply for a permanent immigration visa at the end of your stay. However, the WHV is not an immigrant visa. For example, chances are your application will be denied if you state that you are applying for a WHV to stay in a country while you wait for your permanent immigration visa to be processed.

·     You are often required to buy travel insurance before you leave home. This is because as a temporary resident, you will not be covered by the local health system.

·     You may be required to take a medical exam before you leave. Some countries only require it if you have previously visited certain countries “at risk”, some require it if you declare on your application that you want to work with children. If you have to take a medical exam, you must to do before leaving, with a doctor designated by the embassy.

·     You will likely be asked to provide a resume and a cover letter explaining why you are applying for a WHV. You will not be accepted or refused based on these, so don’t worry too much. The embassy simply want to know what you plans are: are you going to travel? Where? Why did you choose this country?). It also wants to know more about your background. To not have significant work experience isn’t a problem (most 18 years old don’t!) but it should show that you are open-minded and resourceful.

So, what’s next?

Working holiday visa applications are usually processed in a matter of days or weeks. The visa will be stapled in your passport, and you are good to go!

Don’t forget that when you will arrive in your destination country, you will have to do some paperwork to apply for a social insurance number and/ or a tax number. After all, you are more than a tourist… you are a temporary worker!

Useful links

·     WHVMakers (http://www.whvmakers.com/what-is-whv/about-whvmakers.php): general information about Working Holiday Visas. Includes a forum.

·     PVTistes (http://www.pvtistes.net/): a French language WHV website, with a busy forum.

About the author
Juliette defines herself as a “world citizen”. Born and raised in France, she took an early interest in Chinese culture and foreign languages in high school. She graduated from French Langues Orientales University with a degree in Chinese language and civilization. Meanwhile, she left France to discover the world. She worked in Hong Kong, studied in China and backpacked through Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. In 2002, she landed in Canada for the first time and grew to love this cold snowy country. She settled there and started her new life in Ottawa, Canada’s national capital. She has been teaching French at the federal government since then. She also works on various projects aiming at helping newcomers in Canada. Juliette is the author of Correr Es Mi Destino (www.correresmidestino.com), an English speaking blog about life in Canada as an immigrant. She is also passionate about photography and showcase her work on this website.

25 Networking Opportunities for Expats

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

Networking seems to be the key to finding most employment wherever you may live in this globalized world. Following are some ways that expats “network” in many countries:

1. Official receptions
   National days in embassies, farewell or welcome parties in companies, UN, NGOs.
2. Social and private events and gatherings
   Dinners, parties, functions, cocktails, formal and informal drinks, Sunday lunch, coffees, teas, bars, clubs. Make yourself known and promote your skills as much as you can. Let people identify you as a “professional person” as much as possible.
3. Private invitations
   Invite someone or get invited.
4. Ask for professional meeting
   Meet people at a social level (dinner, party), then call back your contact and ask for a professional appointment (with an Ambassador, a manager…)
5. Sports activities and clubs
   Mainly sports clubs, golf clubs (inside info and contacts for senior positions), gyms, mountain climbing clubs.
6. Meeting someone by chance
   Expats seem to visit the same restaurants, same supermarkets.
7. Go to the “in” places
   Markets frequented by expats, popular restaurants, coffee shops, and others.
8. Through accompanying spouse’s contacts
   Getting inside information from spouses (of international employees), spouse’s contacts and spouse’s current or former colleagues.
9. Friends
   Through friends in similar fields.
10. Professional events
    Go around, check what is happening and attend meetings and conferences.
11. Identify groups
    Professional groups are good ways of networking, including women associations, clubs and committees, professional groups, sectoral professional associations.  Join groups, penetrate them, participate in their meetings, talk to someone attending, try to be included on their mailing list.
12. Through colleagues
    Former colleagues, former contacts from previous jobs.
13. Word of mouth
    The expatriate community is big and very concentrated in some areas of the capitol city, so word of mouth is a very direct way to get information. The expatriate community is not hard to penetrate.
14. School
    Expatriates’ children go to the same schools.
15. Places of worship
    Widely used by locals, also some expatriates. These places are havens for networking. 
16. Internet
    Electronic resources listed throughout this blog and recommendations by others in the country.
17. NGO network
    Someone you contacted in an NGO can mention you to another NGO or share with you the opportunities in another NGO.
18. Canvassing
    Someone who knows you will push you and promote you in a position.
19. Conferences
    Attend conferences, workshops, seminars  (select those that are targeted to your career or where you know there will be HR professionals and executives.) Get the info in newspapers/magazines/ advertisements, Internet, the expat community, the Chambers of Commerce.
20. Clubs and associations for expats
    Spouse organizations, such as the Local Expatriate Spouse Associations (LESAs) set up by UN organizations that are focusing on support for dual career couple, the Association for American Women Abroad, and other associations that are focused on expat communities.
21. SMS, mobile phone calls
    Landlines can be challenging in some countries, so SMS and mobile are increasingly widely used and are an easy way to network (easy to send a message to several recipients). It is common in many countries to take your phone and say: Hello, I have heard you are doing this, could we meet?
22. Email
    Widely used also in many countries. Same logic: Easy to send short messages to plenty of people.
23. International hotels lobbies: info on meetings, seminars, conferences
    Check the event announcements in the lobby of the major international hotels, which host conferences, seminars, activities, meetings, which are often regional or international and are attended by many international staff. Also keep in mind that many expats frequent large hotels for their restaurants, bars, social activities, swimming pool, and other resources.
24. Mingle with locals
    Leads developed through locals and expats.
25. Extracurricular activities.
    Weekends away, safaris, cinemas, vacations at the beach, skiing trips.

What tips would you add? Add your comments and tips here!

5 Steps to Launching an International Job Search

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

There are many things to consider when planning for a global career transition. Here’s a pre-departure job search checklist to help you get organized!

1.     Access local resources. You will find many resources available to you in your destination country, such as expat networks, libraries, the internet, and chambers of commerce. Try to avoid relying on just one or two resources. Identify and use a variety of resources to ensure balance in your job search approach.

2.     Find out the restrictions and permissions for working in the destination country. You will want detailed information about the work permit process, such as what documents are needed, how long each will take to process and whether your nationality may cause any delays, etc. A great website to check is the Permits Foundation at www.PermitsFoundation.com.

3.     Identify organizations to research for possible job leads and make contacts there. Although it can be daunting trying to go through the myriad online resources to find organizations in different countries, it is important to develop a list of 15-20 target organizations. There are many websites that have lists of organizations, and one site to find organizations that may have listings on their website is the International Chambers of Commerce at http://www.iccwbo.org/id100/index.html. There are many ways to identify contacts in organizations, such connecting with other expats in the area and asking them to help you identify professionals in the organization. See some of the other blogs on this site for more ideas on how to network!

4.     Learn the business etiquette and communication culture for your new country. You can learn the dos and don’ts for the destination country by keeping your eye on this blog, reviewing the information on the Passport Career (www.PassportCareer.com) website (if your organization has a subscription), or through the many great books that are out there on this topic. There is also information scattered across the internet, but be careful to ensure that the website is reputable and the information is accurate and appropriate.

5.     Create a networking resume and organize important career-related papers that may be requested. Create a resume appropriate to the standards in your destination country to use for networking purposes and gather relevant papers.  What documents might you need? Plan to take copies of the following: transcripts from your college, vocational or other educational institute (if you have numerous degrees, then you will need copies of each), awards and training activities, proof that you attended relevant conferences (usually only needed if you have a certificate from a training at a professional conference), and other related documentation.

Preparing for job seeking in another country requires a lot of work, but it will reduce the frustration once you arrive at your new destination. Many spouses/life partners fail to prepare well, either because they don’t have the time, they don’t think about it, or they simply do not know what steps to take to prepare adequately. However, I strongly encourage you to spend some time on these 5 Steps before you depart so you can get started with a solid step forward in your job search.

Good luck!

Passport Career has launched!

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, Passport Career, LLC

Passport Career’s international job search system launched August 15, 2009 with 55 countries and more than 100 destinations…and we’re quickly expanding to more! Now that we are officially available for organizations to subscribe to this extensive international job search system, we are delighted to inform you that this blog will be posting frequent entries about international job searches, profiles of expats around the globe, and tips for different destinations.

The idea for Passport Career began several years ago after working with thousands of international professionals who were moving to different countries in search of meaningful employment. I learned that the key to finding employment was not just understanding the legal framework of the work permit, but truly comprehending the business culture that intersects with the job search. By understanding the cultural nuances as they relate to the varied aspects of the job search, an international professional can make that strong first impression with those they meet. Making contacts is the key to a successful international job search, but you can’t make solid, viable contacts if you don’t reflect cultural finesse. Thus, Passport Career is designed to integrate the business culture with the many job search strategies, tools, and resources it makes available for each destination.

Our team of more than 100 consultants around the globe ensures the information is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to today’s job seeker.

We have had many requests from individuals who are interested in accessing the Passport Career system. Unfortunately, at this time we do not offer individual subscriptions. However, stay connected to this blog for future updates and enhancements. In the meantime, if you would like us to approach your organization to see if they can make this system available to you, please let us know by sending an email to Susan Musich, Managing Director, at smusich@passportcareer.com.

Lastly, if you are an expat and interested in joining our team of global consultants, we’d love to hear from you. Simply send an email to smusich@passportcareer.com with your name, city/country where you are living, home country, reason why you are interested, and why you think you are qualified. We are always in search of top-notch consultants for different projects and welcome your interest.  We can’t guarantee a job, but we will get back to all serious inquiries.

We look forward to staying connected through this blog and wish you the very best of success with your international job search! We also want to hear from you on this blog. What are your best tips for international job seekers? Post your top one to three tips here and share with the world!

3 Areas to Research Before Launching an International Job Search

By Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

Recently, I was in Toronto. Toronto is known as the most diverse city in the world, with more than half of its population being foreign-born. What a treat for me to spend some time speaking with other career professionals who regularly work with high-skilled, job-seeking international professionals. We discussed many issues facing this population, but I want to share with you the top 3 areas that were discussed regarding what international professionals need to research in order to be effective on the job search. These 3 areas apply to you whether you’re an international student wanting to continue to work in your host country, the spouse of an international assignee, or an immigrant or expat in the country.

1.       Work permits. You need to know the laws governing your ability to work (and in some countries, your ability to volunteer). It can be confusing to find this information online, and it’s often recommended that you seek an international immigration law firm to assist you with the process. However, you can find some general information and links at the Permits Foundation– http://www.permitsfoundation.com/links.htm. This is an excellent site for spouses/partners of international employees, but also provides links for anybody seeking visa/work permit information.

2.       Career information and options. You’ll need to know what types of employers are in the city where you’ll be living. Will you be in a rural area of an emerging country where most nonprofit organizations operate? Or will you be in a bustling metropolis that is bursting with multinational companies? Some of this research can be done online, but you can get better information from others who have lived there or are currently living there, which takes us to…

3.       Network/contacts. It may be challenging to develop a network from scratch, but there are many ways to build an effective network within a month or two. You’ll need to research to find out what networks exist. You may find formal networks, such as Chambers of Commerce. Or, you may find online networks through Facebook or LinkedIn or on many of the expat websites. Or, you may find informal networks, such as a women’s group, or expat sports club. Making contacts is critical to an effective, international job search. Check out our guidance on developing your network on the blog post Get Globally Connected! http://www.passportcareer.com/blog/get-globally-connected.

We want to hear from you! What information was most helpful to you before you launched your international job search?

Get Lost in Learning the Business Culture

by Susan Musich, Managing Director, www.PassportCareer.com

As Susanne Taylor points out in her blog post “Why Getting Lost is Good for You,”  it can be helpful to “get lost” in the culture of another country. Not to “be lost,” as Susanne points out, but to “get lost” by observing the nuances of the country and its culture.

Learning the business culture in your new host country is critical to making a strong first impression as well as demonstrating professional behavior to your peers, whether they are locals or expatriates. The nexus of culture and job search is where you will ultimately achieve job-search success. Almost everything you do in your job search will have some aspect of culture tied to it and that’s where your keen observation skills come into play. Everything from how to greet somebody in a professional setting  to how you write your resume are intrinsically linked to the job search. Your ability to master the nuances of the culture will serve you well in your job search and throughout your career in the country. Below are five key business culture topics that you should observe and learn about before launching your job search.

1. Greetings and introductions: How do you greet others appropriately? How do you introduce yourself and introduce others?
   
2. Appropriate dress: What should you wear? What should you not wear? What is acceptable for women and men in the workplace—particularly as an expat, when expectations may be different than for locals.
   
3. Communication—both verbal and nonverbal:  What is appropriate when speaking with others? What do your body language and gestures say about you?
   
4. Time: What can you expect with regard to starting and ending appointments on time?
   
5. Gender/age issues in the workplace and other workplace norms: How are women viewed and treated in the workplace? How does society view young workers versus older workers?

Developing your business cultural knowledge in these five key areas will help you project a professional image as well as help with your self-confidence. Be sure to ask yourself the questions associated with these five key areas often during your job search, as there may be nuances associated with different organizations or different regions of the country. Cultural nuances are myriad and complex, so do not rely solely on one source; rather, develop your ability to observe and mirror others’ behavior in professional settings.

We’d like to hear from you! What aspects of business etiquette have you noticed in your host country that is different from your home country? What tips do you have for expat job seekers? Leave your comments here.