Developing your career overseas: On assignment
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This is the last article in our series on developing your career abroad. If you haven’t already you can read our related articles Is it right for you?, Multi-national companies and Going it alone. If you’ve enjoyed these articles, be sure to signup to our Career Thought weekly updates and follow us on Twitter to get our future career advice and insights.
For many people the hard work comes when they finally make the move to a foreign country and start their new role. To help you get the best from the opportunity, here’s some ideas and advice you may find useful –
The hard work often comes when you finally succeed in moving to a foreign country. Be sure to put in the effort to make the most of the opportunity and to maintain your bridges back home.
For many people the hard work comes when they finally make the move to a foreign country and start their new role. To help you get the best from the opportunity, here’s some ideas and advice you may find useful –
- Take the opportunity to be a new you. A move abroad is a golden opportunity to be the best you can possibly be and get rid of some of the hang-ups you may have held onto over the years. Try new things, try out a new you, and explore new ways of doing things.
- Build your networks. It’s almost inevitable at some point that you will return home so take the opportunity to build your foreign network as fully as you can and work out how you can keep contact with them when you return.
- Maintain your home network. The truth is that unless you make a deliberate effort you’ll drop off the radar whilst you’re overseas and you won’t know how structures change, won’t know about new hires, and people will forget who you are. Keep in touch with your network and your mentors to keep your name in their minds.
- Visit the office when you come home. When you come back to the UK, take the time to drop into the office and have a coffee with your old colleagues and your boss/mentor to keep your old relationships alive.
- Be brave, enjoy it and have fun! The move is a great opportunity to sample a new country or destination and their culture. Have fun and be sure to experience everything.
- If it’s not right, come home. Too many people remain in moves that they realise weren’t right for them. If you get to a point where you feel you’ve made a mistake, accept that and come home. You can always try again in the future!
The hard work often comes when you finally succeed in moving to a foreign country. Be sure to put in the effort to make the most of the opportunity and to maintain your bridges back home.