Working abroad?

Exchange tips about expat life on our forums

Access expert articles on life abroad

Meet international friends at regular events

Share hobbies through interest-based groups

Home
Global Guide
Working Abroad
Your Assignment Abroad: Its Career Impact

Working Abroad

Your Assignment Abroad: Its Career Impact

Let us show you how an assignment in a foreign country can kick-start your career! A typical international assignment does not only provide you with professional experience: It also helps you acquire valuable soft skills and broaden your horizon.

Also in this article:

International Assignments and Soft Skills

An assignment abroad can kickstart your career and broaden your horizon.

Going abroad for a work assignment is a big step, not only for your social and family life, but also for your career. Those who take the leap abroad soon find out whether and how this experience can give their career a well-deserved boost.

In previous articles we have addressed the many issues you might come across while abroad. However, you will also come across many new professional opportunities. If you are bold enough to take that huge step and hop on a plane, you may get a lot of good things out of your time abroad as an expat.

The longer you stay, the more time you have for a fully-fledged expat experience. However, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how long your assignment takes: Even being an expat for only half a year will enhance your chances in the company hierarchy or on the job market significantly.

The Effects of an Assignment Abroad

Moreover, your experience abroad can give you additional confidence. If you are adventurous enough to embark on a new assignment in another country or even become a “self-made” expatriate, you have already proven adaptability and determination. Paired with your newfound confidence and self-reliance, your experience abroad will greatly increase your chances on the job market.

Sue (24) used to be the shy type in college. “I wasn’t exactly a mousy wallflower,” she says and laughs, “but, yeah, it was pretty close sometimes.” When she decided to go to Ghana for a year and teach English and Arts in a rural community development project, she was almost as amazed at her own courage as most of her friends.

Gaining Confidence

Upon her return to Texas, Sue quickly realized how her assignment abroad had given her new confidence. Soon after she came back, she landed her dream job with a non-profit art project in Houston, Texas. “You just know that you have accomplished something. And after a whole year in Ghana, a couple of job interviews weren’t all that scary anymore.”

Just like Sue, you will thrive in the new working environment if you are equipped with patience, calmness, tenacity, and a well-developed sense of humor. An assignment abroad can be the perfect opportunity to further your personal development. Your manners, appearance, and behavior will change as your assignment gives you an air of new-found competence and confidence.

Continue

The 7 Best Cities for Tech Expats beyond Silicon Valley

With a career in IT, it’s easy to work in any big city around the globe. These seven cities are fully embracing the digital revolution, providing countless opportunities for the tech-savvy among you. There’s no time like the present: just pick one and go!
Expatriate Benefits: Perks of an Expat Job
Many an expatriate benefits greatly from the time he or she has spent abroad. Not only do foreign language skills and intercultural competence make them a valuable employee – expatriate assignments can also bring financial benefits. We tell you what you can get out of being an expatriate.

How to Benefit from Your Expat Status
Self-Employed Expats
Self-employment remains a popular alternative to traditional expat assignments. It is the dream of many expats to open a successful business overseas. However, being a self-employed expat involves a lot of preparation, paperwork and financial know-how.

A Business Plan for Your Life Abroad
How to Find a Job Abroad
Quite a few self-made expats struggle to find a job abroad. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible though! With a structured, thought-out approach, determination and a dose of creativity, you increase your chances of success during your job search overseas.

Tips for Your Job Search Overseas
Opening a Business Abroad
When thinking of opening your own business abroad, it’s easy to underestimate the financial and emotional impact, the bureaucratic obstacles and the necessary market research that go into it. Below, we offer a brief round-up of things to consider when you open your own business in a foreign country.

Being Your Own Boss Abroad
Applying for a Career Overseas

Your application is an essential first step on the way to your dream job abroad. After all, this is the first impression your future employer will get of you. InterNations gives you an overview of what you need to keep in mind when planning your career overseas.
Short-Term Overseas Employment

Short-term overseas employment is not only a great opportunity for younger people looking for a time-out after college, but also for more adventurous expats who don’t want to settle down yet. Find out more about options for short-term job opportunities in this brief overview.
NPOs, NGOs and Volunteer Work Abroad

Doing volunteer work abroad or working for an NPO or NGO is as popular as ever. However, while this type of work will allow you to experience foreign cultures in a whole new way, it is also very demanding. Before you embark, make sure to ask yourself the right questions!
International Etiquette for Businesspeople

As an expat, you need a basic understanding of the culture you are about to do business in or with. Not breaking any unwritten rules is no easy task and requires quite some preparation on your side. We have put together a small guide to help you get it right from the beginning!
Types of Short-Term Work Abroad
Short-term work abroad is very well-suited to recent graduates who want to explore the world or take a break before deciding on a career path. There are a lot of different types of short-term work opportunities abroad. InterNations takes a closer look at them.

Other Options for Short-Term Work Abroad
Navigating International Business Culture

Knowing and understanding the unwritten rules of international business culture is important, whether you’re on a business trip or working abroad as an expat. The InterNations Expat Magazine summarizes a few key aspects of global business etiquette for you.
Cultural Differences in Business

All of us global minds have been confronted with cultural differences at some point. They often lead to amusing misunderstandings, but can also have a serious impact on your career. We help you avoid cultural conflicts at work and leave a good impression.
Career Transition Abroad Made Easy

Is it time to change my job? Is it time to start a new career? How many times did you ask yourself those questions? You have managed to get your first job in your new host country and spent some years working for the same company — but now you feel unsatisfied and know that you have much more to offer.
Internships Abroad: Fall in Love with Mobility!

My favorite English word is “mobility” - “movilidad” in Spanish. Why? Because to me mobility is a synonym of freedom. And freedom or liberty is one of the fundamental virtues for every Pole. It is for me, anyway.
How to Stay Calm in the Face of Change

Are you changing your profession, job, or getting a promotion? Or have you decided to go on your own and despite the excitement of having an ocean of new possibilities ahead, you do not understand the fear you have that you might not handle it?
Overseas Traineeships
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, InterNations member Alex took a traineeship in a hotel in China. However, she decided to give it up after some time. In this article she shares her tips on how to not to stress out during your life abroad and how to make the right decision.

Language Hurdles and Decision Making
Ten Tips on Being an Effective Global Leader

Organizations have gone global but have you? What does it really mean to be a global leader? Executive Coach Sunita Sehmi has ten simple pointers for you to help you succeed wherever you are in the world.
Corporate Game

Throughout your career, you will come across many different types of people with a varied approach to getting ahead and getting the job done. InterNations member Malgosia introduces four types of employees (or “players”). Are you playing the corporate game yet?
How Not to Drown After a Promotion

A promotion can be a huge step forward in your career, but what if you suddenly feel like a fish out of water? Adjusting to a new job position with more responsibility can be quite nerve-wrecking. InterNations member Malgosia gives advice on how to deal with the situation.
Expat Insecurities- Overcoming the Fear of Speaking a Foreign Language

Most expats don’t just deal with the stress of moving abroad and the subsequent culture shock, but also with learning a new language. This is especially daunting when throwing oneself on the job market. Our member Gabrielle is sharing her language learning experience and has some advice for you.