“See the world! Go to exotic locations! It’s an exciting adventure, like a vacation all the time! Or not,” Dr. Robin Moriarty, Managing Director of Kimberly-Clark, Hong Kong, tells PINK.
Though research shows an international assignment can skyrocket a career, “the truth is, international assignments are incredibly amazing and difficult, and they’re not for everyone,” she says.
Even with the family in tow, the situation “can stress a marriage, especially when the trailing spouse is the husband, not the wife,” Moriarty explains.
Finding schools for children and dealing with loneliness if you’re single are also factors to consider.
Moriarty suggests asking yourself questions like, are you doing it just for the money? Can you live without creature comforts? Are your relationships stable? Are you a generally flexible person?
She, and others, say it’s important to be truly interested in different cultures and prepared to live without a daily Starbucks, company car or usual meal choices.
Think you’re ready? Experts say the next steps are to become familiar with customs, flesh out the details with the company you work for and research the surrounding area for shopping, food and office locations.
Bonus PINK Link: Find out more about how international assignments may be the passport to a better career.
By Caroline Cox
“No journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us,
it goes an equal distance into the world within.” Lillian Smith
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