Moving for Money

Would you take a global assignment for a salary hike?

This survey shows two in 10 people say they’d be ‘very likely’ to consider relocating abroad if their pay increased 10 percent.

Another study says 40 percent of employees with international work experience were promoted quicker, among 126 multinational companies surveyed.

Fast promotions may not be enough incentive to relocate, though.

Even with a rise in female employees taking on foreign assignments, numbers are still low compared to relocated men. Why?

“Too few women step up for a variety of good reasons such as family constraints or fear of unknown cultures,” says Newell Rubbermaid consumer group president, Penny McIntyre. “This is one of the primary reasons more women aren’t in leadership positions overseas.”

Women overcome those fears by taking a few simple steps.

They use the local culture to their advantage. Coca-Cola’s SVP and chief people officer, Ceree Eberly, moved to Costa Rica as a single mom.

“I didn’t speak a word of Spanish and I had no one to help me. You might think I would not be accepted being a woman in a male-dominated country and society. But Latin America is essentially about the family, and my co-workers became my family.”

They embrace being different. Visibility is an advantage. Foreign clients are curious about women, want to meet them, and will remember them.

Bonus PINK Link: Read our online exclusive on turning down a global assignment – is it ever OK?

What would entice you to relocate?

By Sarah Grace Alexander

“Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”
Victoria Holt