Careers Advice - 01 February 2012

Joining the foreign legion

With the well-documented difficulties being experienced by retail and hospitality businesses in the UK showing little sign of abating, the option of pursuing a career overseas is increasingly appealing. But if you are thinking about taking your career on to the international stage there are some key considerations you should bear in mind.

 

What's the attraction of working abroad?


There are many different motivations for moving your retail career on to the international stage, including:

- Money: hard cash is often the prime motivator for working abroad, particularly for those moving to companies in countries able to offer them tax-free salaries - such as in the Middle East. Being able to spend that 25 or 40 percent of your salary normally taken away by the Government is a serious enticement to most folk.

- Cultural experience: the opportunity to experience different cultures isn't something everyone gets to do outside of their summer holidays. This immersion into a different lifestyle is almost always cited as being a hugely enriching experience by those who have worked overseas. It's an adventure!

- Professional perks: as well as money, international experience enables you to build your professional network of contacts. It offers the opportunity to work in growth markets, which given the current levels of domestic negativity is a real plus. Having international experience is also a strong addition to your CV - showing flexibility and commitment.

- New neighbours: being based abroad means you've got an entirely new range of potential travel destinations within easy reach. If you're in the US, continental Europe, the Middle or Far East you've got a huge new range of countries to explore - easily and economically.

- Lifestyle: you very often get more for your money too in the ex-pat existence abroad, with accommodation, transport and activities that might have been financially out of reach at home becoming a great deal more affordable abroad.

 

The challenges of working abroad


Working outside of your home country is naturally going to require a degree of adjustment, but some specific points to consider are:

- Distance from loved ones: being away from family and friends can be difficult for some folk - although technological marvels such as Skype can alleviate this to a degree.

- Transient nature of ex-pat lifestyle: ex-pat communities are always evolving; people naturally come and go every few years, which means having to keep making new friends.

- Customs, attitudes and language: starting off in a new country can feel like being dropped onto another planet. Attitudes and customs can be very different to the UK and, without the language to help understand it or indeed to accomplish simple tasks like arranging a taxi, it can all seem rather alienating or even intimidating.

 

Are you right for international, is it right for you?


While there's no foolproof test to determine whether working abroad is right for you, there are some key elements to bear in mind:

- Climate: think about whether the country to which you're considering a move has any particular extremes of temperature or climate and whether you're okay with that. Summer in the Middle East, for example, can see temperatures topping 50ºc - even with air-con and swimming pools this won't be for everyone.

- Attitude: people who have led the ex-pat lifestyle all say that you get out of a country what you put in to it; if you engage with the country and its people in a positive way, if you're open-minded, patient and willing to accept that customs and behaviours may not be what you're used to, you'll do well. If you have a tendency to complain loudly or are likely to be wandering around barking orders at the locals or will be driven to despair by the pace and process of foreign bureaucracies...you'll really struggle.

- Necessary networking: building up a network of colleagues and friends in your new country is simply essential. If you're shy or awkward about this sort of thing either get over yourself or don't make the trip. Your network of contacts will play a crucial role in helping you establish your life in your new country via recommendations about, well, everything...accommodation, local clubs/societies, transport, the lot.

 

Before you go


Unsurprisingly, proper research is vital before committing to work abroad and will minimise the culture shock when you get there. This would include:

- Get to know the place: information on the country and city in which you'll be working and the people among whom you'll be living is readily available online. Companies employing foreign nationals abroad (i.e. you) tend to have a lot of information and even employee case studies to help you get a feel for your new environment.

- Employers as a resource: when you're talking to your prospective employers, make sure you get good picture of their induction process - what are they going to do for you to help you settle in?

- Will your partner be working? If you and your other half are both to be working in your adoptive country it is often advisable to conduct your job search while outside of the country thereby eliminating any work visa or relocation issues.

- Language: Learn a few phrases if you can.

 

Insider information:

Name: Fiona Jewson
Company: M.H. Alshaya Co
Role: Brand Merchandise Manager (Pottery Barn)
Country: Kuwait

Q: What made you consider and ultimately opt for pursuing your retail career overseas?

A:

Major consideration were the real career opportunities, in an ever expanding market, international travel, tax free earnings, as well as company benefits, the ability to save money, rather than just getting by and the ex-pat lifestyle.

Q: What do you/have you enjoyed most about the experience of working abroad?

A:

What I enjoy the most, is the pace, adrenaline rush, and the excitement of working in a positive growing market, with the ability to actually do what is required with very little restriction on budgets. Also the multi-cultural people I work with, who are all amazing.

Q: What have been the greatest challenges?

A:

The biggest challenge is getting to know where you going, and how long it will take to get there, but generally the company I work for have been amazing, giving a lot of support with regards to local info, and general tips on what and what not to do.

Q: If you were to give one piece of advice to other people considering a similar move, what would it be?

A:

Talk to as many ex-pats and locals to find out about where to go for shopping, restaurants, taxi services, and join the local British societies, and Beach clubs, so that you have a balance of work and play.

 

What I enjoy the most, is the pace, adrenaline rush, and the excitement of working in a positive growing market, with the ability to actually do what is required with very little restriction on budgets.
Fiona Jewson
Brand Merchandise Manager
Pottery Barn
(for M.H.Alshaya)
Kuwait