Canadian thinker Marshall Macullan coined the ‘Global Village’ concept in the early ’60s. It refers to a world that has become wholly interconnected by technology.
Sixty years on, suffice to say, we are already there!
The myriad of remote employment technologies has enabled something almost akin to face-to-face workforce communication globally. A digital community has sprouted, and a truly global employment opportunity is possible.
The globalised business culture of 2024 is filled with compelling opportunities. However, developing a global career can be daunting for the aspiring borderless candidate.
In a Harris Poll, 47% of people felt they made the wrong choice in their career path but felt trapped at the same time. In a post covid world, an observation from 3 years ago may seem like a long time in the past but recent government enquiries point to the fact that we are only just realising the impacts this has had on human behaviours and outcomes and not just the economy.
We can find reasons not to leap towards a new opportunity; maybe it’s too risky, we don’t have time, or worry we may not fit in with an international company. In my experience, a good opportunity has a finite timeline before other factors such as life, death, family and financial responsibilities and ageing will get in the way.
Carpe Diem people!
Several doubts may arise and that is natural but it’s important to understand that these feelings shouldn’t stop you from broadening your horizons, packing your bags and looking for career opportunities abroad.
You can take practical steps to help you embrace a global career. Here are three things to consider when developing one.
Develop Cross-Cultural Confidence
A common concern when working abroad is a difference in culture. People fear that they may say the wrong thing, offend their employers, or struggle to fit in with their colleagues.
It’s understandable, business culture will differ from country to country. Take France and Germany. These two countries are neighbours but have entirely different business cultures.
For example, Germany has a much more relaxed approach to boss-to-employee relationships than France, which has a stricter hierarchical structure.
When looking for a job internationally, it’s important to understand the differences between business cultures. It’s like meeting your in laws for the first time, you smile, show courtesy, eat the food on offer and work towards gaining their approval. Follow these steps and you can feel confident that you’ll fit in with any organisation.
The critical thing to remember is always to be open minded, respectful, agile and understand that adapting is a continual process throughout your career at home or abroad.
Network with Professionals in a Similar Situation
One of the best ways of learning is to do it from someone who has been in the same situation before. Why not! They’ve been there and got the t-shirt! They’ll know the ropes and can highlight things you may not have previously thought about. Never underestimate the value of life/work experience regardless of your university grades!
Not only will they provide insights, but knowing you’re not alone can be invaluable in building confidence and embracing the transition to working for a global company.
Networking and building relationships with professionals who have moved to work for an international company is invaluable for practical advice and putting your mind at ease.
Create a Support System
Working for a company thousands of miles away, especially if the role is remote and part of a distributed team, can be isolating. The average employee spends almost 30% of their life at work, and being separated from the people you are working with during that time can seem lonely – not to mention the possibility of working while your colleagues are asleep.
Having a support system in place is an excellent idea to help prevent feelings of isolation from creeping in. Building a network of friends, family or even colleagues can act as a support system and help mitigate feelings of loneliness. A good employer will take this into consideration as part of their remote work policies.
Portas Global
2024’s business culture is a truly global one. There are countless opportunities for global remote employment despite all the talk of economic pressure points. Taking the first step to a global career can be intimidating. That’s called life. However, a personally and financially rewarding career can be achieved with the right approach.
The transition to a global employment market benefits both employer and employee. However, it can be challenging to take the proper steps.
If your company is looking to employ globally or just needs advice on helping candidates transition to a global career then don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ve been there and done it!
