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 Increasingly, Canadians are looking for opportunities in the rest of the world. Currently, an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 Canadians are working abroad. The trend is also evident in education. International degrees are in vogue and studying abroad--either full-time or in short-term courses--has become extremely popular. Working abroad can be wonderful, but not all of us are cut out for it--being far away from our home, family and, most of all, our culture. It's important that you be well informed before you make a commitment. And this means you have to ask the right questions. What type of work can you find overseas? What is the most suitable education for this type of career? Where do you go to offer your services? Hachey, an Toronto-based consultant who helps people involved in international work, speaks from experience. He has worked in Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and Africa, doing everything from teaching in a small village to distributing food in a refugee camp. According to Jean-Marc Hachey, companies who send employees abroad hire more on the basis of personal, rather than professional, qualities. "Open-mindedness, adaptability, a sense of adventure and even a sense of humour, are basic requirements," Hachey says. You have to be prepared to eat unfamiliar food, deal with the language barrier and sometimes feel lonely. In short, you have to face up to culture shock. And things become even more complex if you are taking your family with you. "Your Canadian boss may know that you perform fine here, but he or she isn't so sure you'll do as well in Africa or China. If you want to appear attractive to a prospective employer, you have to add personal qualities to your technical qualifications. In this type of situation, sensitivity is an asset." For further information on the Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas visit http://www.workingoverseas.com or phone 1-800-267-0105. Using a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your strongest skills/traits. ...the stronger your skill/trait, score closer to 5
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| General traits |
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| Enjoy change | ||||||
| Have a sense of adventure | ||||||
| Desire a challenge | ||||||
| Have an open mind | ||||||
| Have patience | ||||||
| Have curiosity | ||||||
Adaptation and Coping Skills |
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| Emotional stability | ||||||
| Ability to deal with stress | ||||||
| Understanding of culture shock | ||||||
| Observation and adaptation skills | ||||||
| Flexibility | ||||||
| Humour | ||||||
| Self-knowledge | ||||||
Intercultural Communication Skills |
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| Tolerance | ||||||
| Sensitivity | ||||||
| Listening and observing skills | ||||||
| Nonverbal communication skills | ||||||
| Knowledge of a second language | ||||||
Overseas Work Effectiveness Traits and Skills |
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| Independence and self-discipline | ||||||
| Resourcefulness | ||||||
| Organizational and people skills | ||||||
| Leadership | ||||||
| Project planning skills | ||||||
| Written and verbal communication skills | ||||||
Key Traits of an Effective Overseas Employee |
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| Interpersonal skills | ||||||
| Assertiveness | ||||||
| Sense of identity | ||||||
| Realistic pre-departure expectations | ||||||
Adapted from The Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas, Third Edition, University of Toronto Press. Printed with permission from the author, Jean-Marc Hachey. |
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But there are ways of getting help. One place is The Canadian Guide
to Working and Living Overseas (University of Toronto Press), a 1,000-
page "career bible," by Jean-Marc Hachey.
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