So you want to become an expat?
5 questions to start with - part 1
Welcome to the world of Hospitality! It is a great business, people invloved and always vibrant. Throughout my career as expatriate or 'expat', many persons commented on how they would like to become an expat as well.
Fortunately out of the 80% talking about it only 20% is serious and from that 20% only a few are actually doing it, otherwise I’d be in the moving business making a fortune. But what is it that you should ask yourself before and during the process of becoming expat?
In the next 5 questions, we’ll start to dig a little deeper and show you some insights... let’s go!
1) Ask yourself why you want to become an expatriate?
The reasons to explore your career at an International level may be excellent; the preparation however usually is not. You will have to consider the consequences of your decision very carefully or you will be disappointed ‘big time’; guaranteed!
In asking yourself ‘why do I want to pursue an International career?’ you are testing your reasons. Is it because you want to escape a nasty situation where you are in now? Is it because you think the pay is better?
More positive; is it because you need the experience to move on in your career? Is it maybe because in Europe you think you have to start washing dishes to become a GM and ‘abroad’ you’ll be quicker?
Throughout my experience in the hotel & resort industry I’ve heard a lot of reasons to why someone applied for an expat position. ‘I want to gain International experience’ was probably the one I heard most. Even though I always continued respectfully, I could not help thinking to myself; ’so where are the applicants who already have the experience?’
2) Do your homework on the desired location
Once you have determined the ‘why’ of your decision, you should ask yourself the ‘where’? There are many locations in demand; the Emirates, Maldives, Asia and the Caribbean to name a few.
Ask yourself what you are looking for in a location. Are you looking for a city, sophisticated or remote area? Will you travel by yourself or with your partner? Is your partner also looking to work in that location? Will it be an Island or mainland?
Without going too deep on this; religion in the opted location is very important. If you are a night-life party lover in which alcohol is involved; check if this is available and/or allowed! You’ll be in for a big surprise if you don’t check this out before.
In some countries women are not allowed to work or go places without being accompanied or even drive a car. Do your homework on this subject thoroughly because you will not be able to blame anybody but yourself if you are disappointed!
Island life is a different life than mainland life. Moreover, the Maldives are different than the Seychelles and the Caribbean. Even more interesting; St. Lucia is completely different than the British Virgin Islands. If you are accustomed to a more Asian hierarchical approach, in which persons are following requests without asking (too many) questions, brace yourself when moving to the Caribbean! Your motivational approach needs to be fine-tuned accordingly or you will not get anything done!
Remoteness is a serious subject deserving some attention. Many team members whom I worked with in the past suffered from the so called ‘Island-fever’. It was not so that after a while they started talking to the coconut trees and their imaginary friends that much, but addictive behavior is a serious stalker. Alcohol mainly!
If you are looking to move towards a remote location, you should ask yourself if you are able to keep yourself disciplined and occupied when you are not working. I hear you say; ‘of course I can!’, which will be your famous last words if you are fooling yourself.
There are no golf courses most of the time, no fitness centers or aerobic classes and clubs are 9 times out of 10 ‘tube-lit’ small bars with loud music in locations your mom told you not to go. So really seriously ask yourself if you can ‘survive’ this…
3) Ask yourself how you are going to get there?
Okay, so you’ve checked why and where and are still interested in moving your career internationally. Now the ‘how’… Why this is an important question? Because as an employer of many expats I can tell you there are many good resumes out there, but also a whole heap of bad resumes and you do not want to become part of the latter.
Take time to write a stunning resume. Forget the ‘Responsible for blah-blah’ and make sure you add the basics like your date and place of birth. Trust me, if I would receive a dollar for every resume in which I could not trace contact information, I’d be a rich man.
Go online via LinkedIn for example or Google articles on how to write a modern day resume. What is the position you aim at? Are you suitable? Why are you suitable? Not because you have done it before, but because you can add value to the new employer! How can you add value and why should they choose you?
What is included in the conditions; ticket, R&R, meals and/or housing? Do not overlook the possible costs you could be making for a work permit, medical tests and so on, because in some cases and in some countries these are mandatory and could be on your account.
In case you still need to look for a position, or just became interested and need some starting points; websites like CatererGlobal.com, HCareers.com and EHotelier.com either have a search engine built in or links to headhunting intermediaries that can assist you.
This is part I giving you some insight on how to start becoming an Expat the RIGHT way. In part II we will cover your preparations and your actual move. Keep checking out our website www.right-hospitality.com, blogs and leave your feedback; I’d really like to hear from you.
RIGHT Hospitality combines years of practical experience in easy to follow modern day programs, explaining you how to become an impressively effective, efficient and professional specialist.
Start doing things the RIGHT way and improve your career and your life today!
With sunny regards, Frits Hannenberg.