Are you looking for a new job abroad? Before you start that new job, you may want to read what an expert has to say about your chances of success in our new article, “How to Integrate into Your New Job Abroad.”
Kelly Ross of Ross Associates is an experienced leadership development and talent management expert who works primarily with expats. She knows all about successful job integration. Ross worked for global consulting giant McKinsey & Company for 10 years in 20 countries on three continents before opening her own Chicago-based consultancy.
“I work with many expats who are preparing to work abroad or are already working abroad and need career coaching,” Ross says. “I think at first, you need to get clear on why you want to do this and what it will do for you. Then you need to concentrate on learning about your new environment. I think there is a real value in doing lots of research before you move, although much of it may not make sense until you are actually living there.”
Ross works primarily with corporate transferees but also counsels adventurous job seekers who want to live and work abroad. She said corporate workers tend to have it a little easier because there usually is consistency in organizational practices worldwide, while job adventurers must deal with both work and cultural differences.
“Even with corporate consistency, though, integrating into a new work environment in a new culture can be a challenge,” she says. “It just takes longer when you are trying to integrate into a new role and you are joining a new team of people. You have to understand the nuance of your new environment.”
While working on her graduate degree at Northwestern University, Ross conducted research to help her understand what characteristics expats must possess to be successful in integrating into a new work environment and living abroad. She surveyed over 200 expats from around the world and determined that success is built on five characteristics: Being open-minded, adventurous, culturally sensitive, flexible and curious.
Get the details by clicking on the article link above.
