Passport to a Better Career

You’ve just been offered a much-anticipated opportunity to move up in your company. Everything looks great – except that you’ll be moving 10,000 miles away from home and family – to another country. Should you accept the offer?

The best way to advance your career in today’s economy is to get international work experience. “Due to the globalization of many marketplaces, employers are beginning to demand skill sets developed through working with different cultures,” says Megan Fitzgerald of Career by Choice. However, with many companies cutting costs, moving abroad for business doesn’t always come with the luxury benefits it once did.

Even if the first offer doesn’t win you over, consider future opportunities. A 2009 study by INSEAD and the Kellogg School of Management found that people who lived abroad tended to be more creative and better negotiators than those who had not.

Still have a million questions? Here are some answers:

ExpatWomen.com provides resources per country, including visa requirements, real estate information, international health insurance and how to deal with culture shock.

Can you afford that cute French cottage? Xpatulator outlines how to calculate your cost of living allowance – a salary supplement paid to employees to cover basic needs when on an international assignment.

Your Japanese boss might be offended by your direct eye contact. Make sure you’re prepared with international etiquette from Culture Crossing.

Bonus PINK Link: Thinking of moving abroad? These women did it and succeeded.

By Caroline Stewart

“My travels led me to where I am today”
Diana Ross