How to thrive in your new overseas role - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

How to thrive in your new overseas role - Viewpoint - careers advice blog In my twenties, my budding sales and marketing career in the automotive industry was progressing well; however after a few years I realised I was ready to take things up a level and really challenge myself. So when I was offered a managerial position for a recruitment business in New Zealand I didn’t have to think twice. The move meant that I would have to relocate away from my hometown in middle England to Auckland, which would require me to adapt to a new culture and build up a new support network; however the opportunity for personal and professional development and a change of lifestyle was too much to pass up. Since then I have moved again to Hong Kong, where the contrast was much greater and, even more recently, to Japan, which is generally recognised as the most ‘foreign’ country in the world. It was only after I arrived in each of these locations that I began to appreciate all the challenges that come with relocating abroad for your career, some of which are outlined in this Viewpoint blog. It wasn’t long before I felt like I was riding some of the steepest learning curves of my career so far. There’s no substitute for the real thing Could I rise to the challenge? I confess that before I boarded the planes for each destination, I endured a couple of sleepless nights. The career progression and new experience was something I wanted, but could I rise to the challenge? How would I live up to my new employers expectations whilst also having to make adjustments to my new environment? Having not worked in New Zealand, Hong Kong or Japan before arriving there, I guess I also had a bit of a blinkered outlook. Business is business, and boardrooms work the same the world over, I thought. Looking back now, I can see how naïve I was, but you know what? That’s okay. You can do all the research you like and be as well prepared as possible, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. So, what did relocating to another country for work teach me about myself, and how did I adjust to different cultures and manage to flourish far from home? Here are three things that helped me not just pull through, but thrive: 1. Reach out As long as youve got the right attitude then people will always be willing to help One of the first things I had to remind myself over and over again, before arriving for work that first day, was that the company offered me the job because they wanted me to succeed; they believed in my abilities. The least I could do was believe in myself too. I also promised myself that I wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Consider your first couple of months in a new job as a grace period whereby there is no such thing as a stupid question. This is also a great way of developing a strong support network, which is crucial if youre going to survive and thrive in the long-term. Our CEO has written a great Influencer blog on how you can make this ‘honeymoon period’ count. You can’t expect to walk in and get universal support from colleagues immediately (one or two may still be peeved they were overlooked for the job themselves), but I’ve always found that most people want to help. As long as you’ve got the right attitude â€" the very fabric of building a great team â€" then you will always receive a warm welcome. In my case, it meant not only asking company-related questions but also finding out about how things work generally on a day-to-day basis. Moving to a new country can feel very isolating, so having people you can turn to for help, advice and companionship is important. I don’t mean becoming over-dependent on others, just not being afraid to reach out. As I say, most people will be delighted to support you until you learn the ropes. 2. Communicate often, but listen more I knew what was expected of me and I had a vision about where I wanted to take my team and the company. I believe in leading from the front and communicating clearly, but I didn’t want to appear as the brash British bloke. It was important to be diplomatic and tactful at all times. You don’t want to be the new kid on the block who is telling everyone what they’re doing wrong on day number two. Being a great leader requires not just great communication on your part, but the ability to listen to the opinion of others too â€" as articulated by my colleague Ian Clark in his Viewpoint blog ‘How to establish yourself as a young leader’. I learned not to rush judgement about colleagues or customers, but rather to try to understand what were often just different social nuances and norms. 3.  Stay positive Close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50% With any promotion comes increased responsibilities and expectations. In my case, I also had to deal with unfamiliar surroundings and people. I had to be resilient and draw on my experience, while remaining positive. Of course I had low points, which can seem harder when you’re far from home, but the amazing thing about adapting and adjusting to a different culture is how it can strengthen your character. It takes time, but the more challenges you overcome, the stronger you feel. Day-to-day interactions with people who you look forward to seeing makes coming into work much more enjoyable. To sustain high morale and motivation you need to be getting the respite that having friendly work relationships provide. Close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50%, according to a poll by Gallup. The trust that comes with having a close group of friends at work is also vital to team cohesiveness and thus the overall success of the business. Here are some tips for fostering strong bonds in the workplace. Relocating can be a pretty daunting experience, but I found it to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, on a professional and personal level. Broaden your horizons If you are lucky enough to be offered the opportunity then I would strongly recommend moving abroad and throwing yourself into the deep end. Experiencing nerves and trepidation before you take a new job are healthy and are often just a sign that you really want to do well. I have no regrets about moving country in pursuit for my career advancement, quite the opposite. I now embrace new opportunities more freely â€" as well as the uncertainty that comes with them â€" as the rewards far outweigh any initial concerns. Do you have what it takes to relocate half way across the world to further your personal and professional development? Find out by assessing yourself against the criteria for a ‘global citizen’ in this Viewpoint blog. If you enjoyed this blog then you might also enjoy some of the following: How to market yourself in your job search What size company is the right fit for you? Building your business case for a pay rise 11 ways to become more productive at work 6 leadership styles you need to succeed Stop putting off your job search Great leaders put themselves second Do you know how and when to say no? // Share this blog: