Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures
In general, the way that different cultures view time can be described as a spectrum with monochronic or polychronic at either end. While there are cultures that fall in between, when planning a transition abroad it is a good idea to understand which end of the spectrum your native culture falls closest to and which end your destination culture falls closest to. Monochronic Cultures In a monochronic culture, people tend to place a high value on timeliness and schedules. They focus on the value of time, and therefore tend to have a very rigid interpretation of how to organize their...
Read MoreGet Globally Connected!
I’ve worked with job seekers from more than 180 countries. I have yet to find a job seeker whose home country doesn’t use some form of networking to find employment opportunities. Whether you call it “networking” in the United States, “guanxi” in Hong Kong, or “reseautage” in France, it’s all the same thing: making connections! Making connections is a part of daily life in most parts of the world. We can’t survive alone nor would most people want to. It’s natural to connect with others who share similar interests, which is why networking during a job search should be an innate part of...
Read MoreWorking in Brazil
I thought I’d share with you some of the opportunities and challenges of working in Brazil today. With a population close to 200 million, you can imagine the challenge of so many people trying to find a job. The Brazilian government has strict laws to protect jobs for its citizens, and companies need to prove how an expatriate is more qualified than a Brazilian in order to hire a foreigner. This is a great challenge for many companies since there are so many highly skilled Brazilians available for employment. Career Options The best way for expats to find employment in...
Read More