Living Life as an Expat: What You Really Need To Know Before Going Global

Welcome to article two in my series: Living Life as an Expat:? What You Really Need To Know Before Going Global

As you know, I believe embarking on a journey as an expatriate, or expat, is a decision that can transform your life in profound ways. Whether it's for career advancement, personal growth, or a sense of adventure, the prospect of living abroad holds immense appeal for many individuals. However, before taking the plunge into expat life, there are crucial factors to consider to ensure a smooth transition and successful experience.

This is why this week I’m going to dive into the initial steps of that process and really take the bulk of this article to explain how you should go about beginning this discussion with your company. However, as an important reminder, remember these steps below:?

Exploring the Decision-Making Process:

The decision to become an expat is not one to be taken lightly. It involves careful deliberation and consideration of various factors that will impact your life, both professionally and personally. Throughout my series we will dive into each of these but as a gentle reminder of what was given in the introduction article here are some of my key aspects to contemplate before making the leap:

Career Opportunities: One of the primary reasons individuals choose to become expats is for career advancement. Moving abroad can open doors to new job opportunities, international assignments, and professional growth.?

For me personally, everything after my first international assignment came as a result of employers recognizing my willingness to move countries, and my international experience/business and cultural knowledge gained as a result.?

When I began my expat journey it was 1989, and I rejected a domestic promotion and instead asked to be assigned to the US. I was denied, but instead given the opportunity to go to Ireland. For my career, this was a compromise move from EMEA leadership, allowing me cultural and international growth without losing me from the EMEA sphere of influence. At the time I had wanted the US, however, looking back I realized the connections it stabilized, and the loyalty it showed to my employer. It was also a truly wonderful experience, to learn new culture, new working styles, new family values and fast tracking awareness of how others view my home country. It also opened up the door to my future expat life in the US which began in 1995.

Moving to the US, was as a result of a need in the US-based global product development team for financial news and market data pricing expertise of the European and Asia markets. Looking back, without the Irish experience the other follow-on assignments may not have occurred and certainly not as quickly. The US had a need to leverage someone with my track record to build in new product features that would successfully sell in the European and Asian markets.

What I didn’t know was that I would later be assigned to Hong Kong. Back in 2009, I was asked to move as a result of my global acumen and cultural awareness of having lived and/or worked in Europe and Asia as well as the Americas covering the top global financial services firms.?

It was my past global experiences and willingness to adapt that ushered in the opportunity for me to be considered for a role in Asia during the China and India boom. If I had not taken the other experiences I may not have been considered, and would have been locked in to dealing with the US and European markets financial crash.

During my time there Chinese leaders used to tease me that I “ran the American desk” as I focused on inbound-outbound trade between Asia and the US, European banks. I was the person who knew and could speak with all continents.?

So as far as career opportunities, usually going global will slowly open one door after another. Providing a snowballing effect. Also, bear in mind that those doors will not only be with your employer but also with your clients.?

Personal Development: Living abroad offers unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and cultural immersion. It allows you to step out of your comfort zone, learn new languages, and adapt to diverse environments. You’ll primarily see this in the upcoming article where even my family had their own personal development opportunities which shaped their outlook on the world. I urge you to reflect on how the experience aligns with your personal aspirations and willingness to embrace change.?

Be mentally prepared for this and prepare your strategy for positioning yourself when you move overseas.

• Are the social media platforms that you are addicted to in your home country permitted in your host country? Which news sources do you use now, will they give you the best news coverage of the country you are stepping into?
• How much is the language in your host country going to be a barrier to personal and business success? Develop your personal plan in advance that will accelerate your integration.
• ?Consider the career risk of moving overseas that may bring you greater career advancement in the medium to longer term however may be going against the grain of your current home manager who may prefer you stay domestic and in a preset career trajectory. Consider this carefully as your career sponsors may, and most likely, will change as you move countries.?

Financial Considerations: Moving abroad often involves financial implications, including relocation costs, housing expenses, and potential changes in salary and benefits. Conduct a thorough assessment of your financial situation and consider how the move will impact your budget, savings, and future financial goals. You’ll see how we revisit this in even the coming home article.?

Lifestyle Factors: Living in a new country means adjusting to a different lifestyle, climate, and social norms. Take into account factors such as quality of life, healthcare quality and cost, education, and recreational opportunities available in your destination.?

Determine whether the lifestyle abroad aligns with your preferences and values.?

Remember, it’s okay if you truly don’t believe you’ll be able to adapt.

• Moving to the US may mean a larger home and more land, moving to Hong Kong may mean a small apartment and children choosing to prioritize making friends within the tower block.?
• Living in an Island City State requires the need to bake travel into your plans whereas living on a continent may make last-minute weekend travels somewhat easier.
• If you are a sports enthusiast, does the host country play and broadcast your chosen sports? Will you and your family want to try local sports, which often are a fun and exciting indication of the local culture.?

Family and Relationships: Moving abroad can have significant implications for your family and relationships. Consider how the relocation will affect your spouse, children, and other loved ones, as well as your ability to maintain connections with friends and family back home. Open and honest communication is essential to ensure everyone is on board with the decision.?

• It is very unlikely that the whole family will all feel it is the ideal time for them to move to a new country. Talk to each family member about their own stage of life and what concerns them about the move.
• Selecting schools is a key consideration for families. Do you want your kids to go truly local, integrate and learn the local language and culture to the max or do you plan to move after this assignment in which case selecting an international curriculum of a curriculum of your home country within the host country may be more appropriate. If you desire to jump across multiple country assignments then perhaps consider the International Baccalaureate program, which was designed originally to support consistent education globally for diplomat’s children.?
• When speaking to your home and host leadership, understand the number of trips home included in the package, per year to see family, this will help you enjoy the assignment while also having the ability to connect with the family you left behind.

Initiating the Discussion with Your Company:

Now, once you've carefully evaluated the decision to become an expat and determined that it aligns with your goals and aspirations, it's time to initiate discussions with your company. Remember this discussion can begin in a number of ways.?

In general though, here are some steps to guide the process:

Research Company Policies:?

Begin by researching your company's policies and procedures regarding international assignments and expatriate benefits. Understand what support and resources are available to expats, including assistance with visas, relocation, housing, and cultural integration.?

Googling for general information can be helpful to get a general idea of the considerations of taking assignments, but every multinational firm has their own policy, so there is no substitute for understanding the options available to you within your own firm.

In addition, I strongly recommend talking to clients and friends, outside of your firm, who have been assigned to your host country. Listen to advice on schools, joining sports clubs, gyms, cultural immersion tips, and the pros and cons of each. This research and validation outside the walls of your own firm/corporation helps you gain real world insights as well as market price your assignment package against other firms assigning you into the region. In addition, it is helpful as you can avoid tripping over any preferences or biases that your future host colleagues may have in their shop.?

Given that your home office manager may feel they are losing an asset, even though they gain an upgraded asset upon your return, I would strongly recommend identifying former ex-pat assignees within your own company and start the dialogue with them. They will understand the policy but they will also be able to give you the “expat experience nuances” that just would not be documented in the official policy. What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School.

Talk to your tax advisors in-house, how does your national passport impact your tax treatment? If you do not have tax advisors in-house then I strongly recommend investing in an international tax professional for a consultation.?

Do take a look at the working visa/permit needed in your host country. If you are a regular country hopper, then do you have citizenship in your home country or is there a potential for your working visa expiring in your home country while you are away in your host country? Does your home office cover the costs of extending your return work permit or do you need to engage outside immigration legal counsel? This scenario is certainly a valid consideration for foreign nationals employed by US firms on green card status being assigned overseas and then returning to the US.?

Schedule a Meeting:

?Reach out to your supervisor or HR department to schedule a meeting to discuss your interest in pursuing an international assignment. Prepare a clear and concise proposal outlining your reasons for wanting to move abroad, how it aligns with your career goals, and the potential benefits for the company.

Align to a strategic regional project your firm is embarking on, articulate how you are uniquely qualified, or uniquely enthusiastic, for the role.?

• You have spotted an opportunity in the market for your employer and you craft the initial business case, showing the benefit for them and pricing your deployment into the plan.?
• Your firm has a recognized rotation program for certain specialist or management roles, perhaps between your global headquarters and largest overseas operation, and you apply to add your name in the mix for the next round.
• Consider the impact on the manager who employs you now. Is it beneficial to them for you to go or more honestly only more beneficial for you and the wider? firm/corporation??

Address Concerns:?

Be prepared to address any concerns or questions your company may have about the proposed relocation.

The Employer:

It’s important to provide examples of how your skills and experience will contribute to the company's success on a global scale!!

They will need to make a judgment call on your likely ability to have the skills to execute the mission and to avoid asking to go home too early.

“Are you a flight risk?” Is this a better deal for you than for the employer paying your way? Do you give the impression you seek to have your firm pick up the tab for relocating and training you and then you just up-sticks and move to a competitor?

How does your personality and manner seem “a good fit” for the country and region you are being asked to work in?

The Employee:

• Articulate your own desire to try an assignment and if possible, why you are uniquely qualified.
• Articulate the value you can provide both your home and host countries.
• Be able to articulate your goals post the assignment, are you likely to come back to the home country? Or, do you honestly want to move to the host country on a “try and buy” basis, they try you out for the term of the assignment and then choose to invite you to go on the local payroll and stay longer.?
• Do be prepared to have the compensation discussion and to do so on an iterative basis. Being single is much easier for the employer to fund and manage. Once you bring a trailing spouse and especially children, then the costs and complexity of course increases for your employer.?
• Do be bold and ask your home office sponsor for your potential return ticket. Do not expect a specific role, in a specific division and city, to show a level of flexibility in your demands and expectations, unless this truly is a “show stopper” for you, in which case it is far better to find now rather than later.
• How strategic is this opportunity?

Assure your company of your commitment to the role and willingness to adapt to the challenges of living and working in a new environment.

I myself have repeatedly been willing to relocate professionally to take assignments when they were offered. Once you choose to take the initial one or two assignments then your reputation grows as someone worth investing in, who is willing to relocate, adapt and achieve results in varying cultures, under differing management styles and teaming structures as well as constantly changing business conditions.???

• Negotiate Terms:?

Once you've received approval for the international assignment and you have reviewed the terms, then evaluate and see if there are any gaps against your expectations. If needed then work with your company to negotiate the terms of your assignment package, including salary, benefits, housing allowance, and any additional support or resources you may need. Ensure that all details are clearly outlined in a written agreement to avoid any misunderstandings.

While you may be part of a single global P&L or you may be part of a federated model, you will need to negotiate with both your home country and your host country. Each team will have different factors to consider and different benefits to gain from your assignment.?

Think carefully about which management leader/stakeholder/decision maker has more to gain from your assignment and start the conversation there. Ensure you lock them in as your sponsor before then approaching their counterparty, or before that manager then approaches their counterpart without you. Should either relationship be compromised then so may be your pending assignment, and also your career because the trust has been lost.?

Becoming an expat is a life-changing decision that requires careful consideration and planning. By thoroughly evaluating the decision-making factors and initiating discussions with your company, you can set yourself up for a successful and rewarding experience living and working abroad. Embrace the opportunities for growth, adventure, and cultural exchange that await you on your expat journey.

In the next article in our series, we'll delve deeper into the practical aspects of preparing for life as an expat, from securing visas to navigating cultural differences and building a support network abroad. I’ll also be sharing a feature from a recently retired Senior Global Mobility Leader who has experience managing various types of assignees across the globe. She brings a 20 year background of successfully deploying talent to meet both strategic and tactical business objectives. Through her article you will gather insights into both employer and employee considerations.?

Stay tuned for expert insights and advice to help you thrive in your new global adventure.