The Importance of Building a Professional Network in the Midwest for International Trailing Spouses – How Can Companies Help?

As I meet newly arrived trailing spouses and hear about their challenges, I often wonder how companies could better support individuals like me when relocating employees and their families.

Relocating to the Midwest as an international trailing spouse can be exciting and challenging. One of the most critical aspects of securing a job quickly in this region is having a robust professional network.

In the Midwest, and particularly in cities like Chicago, networking is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

The Midwest Networking Culture

The Midwest is known for its strong sense of community and relationship-building. Here, who you know can often be as important as what you know.

This means that building a professional network is crucial for international trailing spouses. Without it, their chances of rapidly securing a job can be significantly diminished.

In the U.S., some surveys show that as much as 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and around 70% of jobs are never published publicly and are filled through internal postings or networking.

Understanding the U.S. Job Market

The U.S. job market has unique characteristics. While international experience is valuable, knowledge of the U.S. market is often more highly regarded.

This can sometimes mean that international exposure does not always provide the competitive edge one might expect, even for roles in global companies.

Additionally, when applying for roles, you compete with qualified people who have built their network for years in the region. While you may never fully catch up, starting to build your network as soon as you arrive is crucial, much like establishing your credit score, which doesn’t exist before you come.

Most relocating families initially focus on settling, managing administrative requirements, and ensuring their children are well-supported. As a result, they often fail to request support for the trailing spouse, as it is commonly accepted that their first mission will be to settle the family. However, it is important to start creating a network from arrival. Companies should integrate this aspect first rather than relying on individual requests.

By doing so, they can better support the trailing spouse and enhance the overall success of the relocation.

Meeting U.S. Professionals and Understanding Cultural Differences

It is essential to meet U.S. professionals and gain cultural understanding in practice as soon as possible. Erin Meyer ’s book?The Culture Map?is an excellent resource supporting theory and practice.

It’s one thing to read and hear about cultural differences, but you need to live through them to understand expected behaviors and receive feedback.

For example, the “American sandwich” feedback method, which includes a positive comment followed by a negative point and ending with another positive comment, can be confusing.

An Illinois employer might say, “We love your global experience, which would be very useful to the company. However, we are also currently evaluating candidates who are a bit more familiar with the U.S. market. We will keep you updated on the next steps.” A foreigner might focus on the positive comments and think they nailed it, expecting to move to the next step, while most Americans will understand that the process stops here.

Tips for Building a Network in Chicago

1. Attend Networking Events: Chicago hosts networking events, industry conferences, and professional meetups. These are excellent opportunities to meet people in your field.
2. Join Professional Associations: Joining professional associations related to your industry can provide access to resources, events, and a network of professionals.
3. Leverage Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn are invaluable for connecting with professionals in your area. Engage with posts, join relevant groups, and contact individuals for informational interviews.
4. Volunteer: Volunteering for local organizations or events can help you meet people and demonstrate your skills and commitment to the community.
5. Utilize University Resources: Many universities offer open-to-the-public networking events and career services. These can be great places to connect with recent graduates and experienced professionals.

The Need for a Support Network in Illinois

I was fortunate to be connected with people from different companies through my partner’s company very early on, which has likely helped me more than I initially realized.

However, not every trailing spouse has this advantage. I wish we had a network to support international spouses in Illinois, similar to the International Dual Career Network (IDCN).

Early in my career, I was part of the sponsoring companies in France and organized an IDCN event at Saint-Gobain. At that time, I hadn’t fully realized the challenges faced by trailing spouses or the stress I observed in their expressions.

The IDCN network provided them a haven and a starting point in the local network. They were surrounded by like-minded people who valued their diversity and considered their assets.

While it doesn’t solve everything, I wish some key Chicago-based companies would cooperate to foster a similar network here in Illinois.

If you welcome international assignees in Illinois and would like to know more about IDCN, feel free to reach out or contact IDCN directly. International Dual Career Network (IDCN) Mark de Vos @Mary K. Kobia

Building a professional network in the Midwest, particularly in Chicago, is essential for international trailing spouses. Understanding the U.S. job market and leveraging resources like IDCN can make a significant difference in securing employment and integrating into the local professional community.

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