Removing Cultural Roadblocks from your International Career Path – Part 2

By Gina Teague
rw-3.com

Resume
You may be surprised to find that your finely crafted, concise, ‘Just the facts, Ma’am’ style resume does not yield a positive response from local employers. Again, just because you’ve always done it this way doesn’t mean it’s the way to do it in Perth or Prague. Understanding culture is important.

Here are some tips:

1. Focus on whether the length, format, presentation, structure, and emphasis are all culturally appropriate.
2. Have you used acronyms, names or titles for which the reader will have no frame of reference?
3. Is it standard practice to offer personal information?
4. What is the protocol surrounding cover letters, or providing contact information for references?
5. Should you write the resume in English, the local language — or both?
6. Should you hand deliver it — or send it as an Email attachment?

A local language teacher, cultural mentor, or resume writer can help you adapt your resume to make it — and you — more marketable in your new environment.

Interview Skills
When it comes to interview techniques, some practices are universal. You always want to research the company where you are requesting a job. You want to dress appropriately. And, you want to arrive on time!

However, across cultures, others aspects of the interview may be quite different. You should research issues of local protocol and etiquette pertaining to the interview situation: dress code, greetings style, appropriate levels of assertiveness, etc.

Also, find out beforehand about local legal norms governing what an employer can legally ask, and think how you might respond without feeling compromised or uncomfortable.

Similarly, be prepared to respond to tough questions about your commitment to staying in X country or at Y company or to negotiate a flexible package to compensate for the fact that they’re getting a ‘local hire’ with international credentials. Again, a local ‘cultural mentor’ within the expat community or a career counselor might help you role play some of these scenarios.

Networking
At a cocktail party back home or within the expat community, we feel it’s not inappropriate to casually slip into the conversation the fact that we’re looking for a yoga teacher, an MBA program, or even a job. However, what may seem suitably assertive in one society may seem downright pushy in another. This is especially true in more formal cultures where professional and social activities are kept strictly separate.

So, how to proceed? Observe others; harness the experience of fellow expat professionals; identify any formalized business or trade groups that might naturally lend themselves to networking activities, such as the Chamber of Commerce. Create your own support group locally to talk about navigating cultural challenges, balancing work-life demands, or jump starting your overseas job search. Or weave a ‘virtual network’ by reestablishing contact with former members of your professional circle.

Summary
This may feel like a lot to navigate. Start by doing your homework: devote more time to your job search preparation than you would back home. Identify a ‘cultural mentor’ or ‘professional coach’ who can provide insight and be your cheerleader when you need it.

Also, set yourself realistic goals: don’t change everything at once. If you can, try to duplicate at least one aspect of your current job to ease your transition. That may be an organization that operates in English, the chance to perform your same job function, or starting out with an expat voluntary initiative.