The Power of Ten - 10 benefits of working abroad

Here are ten benefits of taking a job in a different country for your career:

1. Global Experience: Working in a different country provides you with valuable global experience. You gain exposure to different cultures, work styles, and perspectives, enhancing your cross-cultural competency and expanding your worldview.

2. Cultural Adaptability: Working in a different country challenges you to adapt to new cultural norms and practices. This builds your ability to navigate diverse environments and work effectively with people from different backgrounds, which is highly valuable in today's globalized workforce.

3. Language Skills: Taking a job in a different country can improve your language skills. Immersing yourself in a new language environment allows you to practice and develop fluency, which can open up new career opportunities and enhance your communication abilities.

4. Expanded Professional Network: Working in a different country allows you to expand your professional network on an international scale. You can connect with professionals from various industries, establish valuable contacts, and build a diverse network that can support your career advancement.

5. Career Advancement Opportunities: Some countries offer better career advancement opportunities in specific industries or fields. By pursuing a job in such a country, you may gain access to a more competitive job market, higher positions, or specialized opportunities that can accelerate your career growth.

6. Skill Development: Working in a different country exposes you to new challenges and demands, which foster personal and professional growth. You develop skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, and resilience that are highly transferable and valuable in any career.

7. Professional Branding: Having international work experience can enhance your professional branding. Employers often value candidates with diverse backgrounds and international exposure, seeing them as adaptable, open-minded, and capable of working in diverse environments.

8. Increased Marketability: Taking a job in a different country can make you more marketable in the global job market. It demonstrates your ability to thrive in different cultural contexts and your willingness to step out of your comfort zone, making you an attractive candidate for international roles.

9. Exposure to Different Work Practices: Each country has its own work practices and business customs. By working in a different country, you gain exposure to different work methodologies, problem-solving approaches, and management styles, broadening your skills and perspectives.

10. Personal Growth and Life Experience: Working in a different country offers personal growth and life experiences that go beyond professional benefits. It allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture, make new friends, explore new places, and develop a sense of independence and resilience that can shape you as an individual.

These benefits highlight the enriching and rewarding aspects of taking a job in a different country, both professionally and personally. It's important to consider factors such as language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and the specific opportunities and challenges of the country you're considering ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience.

Note about the author: Andrew Hulbert is a multi-award winning entrepreneur, non-exec director, speaker, author, platelet donor and philanthropist. The ‘Power of Ten’ summarises Andrew’s learnings across the last decade and looks to share some of the valuable mistakes, lessons and learnings during that time. For a succinct summary of Andrew’s career you can visit: https://www.iwfmawards.org/previous-winners/winner-outstanding-contribution-to-workplace-and-facilities-management-2022/ . If you’d like to start a conversation, please direct message on Linkedin.