The most forward-thinking employers know that job candidates who have spent time working abroad will have developed valuable skills which can be a great asset to companies. The experience of studying or working abroad is rapidly being recognised as a strategic career move to be encouraged, with the White House even holding a summit with travel bloggers in order to promote initiatives for young people to study or work abroad.
Living and working abroad can have a profound effect on the people who choose to do it, and often opens up further opportunities that a person wouldn’t have access too in the same career field at home. The experiences gained from working abroad often translate well to the workplace in the person’s home country as well.
Here are five reasons why hiring a candidate who has spent an extended period of time working abroad is a great decision:
1. They adapt to new environments.
Being able to adapt to a new environment is an essential part of working abroad. For some people this comes naturally while for others it can feel like they’ve been thrown in the deep end. Spending an extended period of time abroad shows resilience and an ability to grow into a place that is completely different to what they are used to. In a new workplace, you can expect candidates who have worked abroad to dive straight in and rise to the challenge of being in a new environment.
2. They’re familiar with change.
Those who choose to work abroad are no strangers to change. Moving abroad brings about changes in all aspects of a person’s life, from the place they live right down to the food they eat. For those who have lived abroad, change is normal and natural. They’re not afraid of leaving their comfort zone and won’t be deterred by new changes in the workplace–in fact, they’ll likely be on board with them!
3. They think creatively.
Leaving a comfort zone and working abroad inspires creative thinking. In order to cope with the changes to everyday life and routines, those who work abroad need to come up with new approaches. By immersing themselves in new cultures, those who live abroad are more adept at changing their way of thinking and seeing things from a different perspective. Creativity and innovation are the driving force behind successful companies, making creative thinking a highly desirable quality for employers.
4. They are more emotionally tuned in.
All cultures are different, and to work abroad it’s important to learn to respect the customs, values, mannerisms and different ways of doing things. While in the U.S. and the UK we can speak directly, in Asia communication is more tactful and implicit. Get to the point too quickly and you might come off as rude, but take your time and you’ll have made a better connection with a co-worker. Learning to be sensitive to others can make a candidate a more aware and receptive employee and colleague.
5. They can work independently.
More often than not, candidates who have worked abroad will have made the decision to do so independently. Making such a bold move on your own steam, coping with the transition of being in a new place, adapting to a different way of doing things, and being on your own when you first arrive abroad, takes a lot of independence and self-motivation. Employers can be sure that candidates who have worked abroad are able to take the initiative and do what needs to be done without having their hand held.
The post 5 Reasons to Hire a Candidate Who Has Worked Abroad appeared first on AllBusiness.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment