6 Ways to Thrive as an Expat

6 Ways to Thrive as an Expat Nowadays its not unusual for  many individuals to expect that there will be a need to undertake an expatriate assignment at one or more points in their careers. For many, this may be an organisation-driven opportunity but for others this may be a self-driven opportunity. Regardless of what the driver actually is, to undertake a global experience may not deliver the expected return on investment, both financial and career, if it is not managed effectively. If you are considering an expatriate opportunity, there are some key issues that you need to consider and address prior to actually committing to it. 1. What is the impact on your career? Whether youre considering a global assignment to assist in increasing your marketability within your organisation or externally, you need to understand the impact this may have on your career. It may help to engage with a career practitioner and your direct manager to map out what your career may look like whether you take the opportunity or not. It will also give you an understanding of the value an expatriate assignment will have. You will also need to consider the impact this could have on your career if the assignment is unsuccessful for whatever reason. 2. What are the skills that will be developed? Once youve decided that this opportunity is the right one for you, it is important to look at what skills you will need to develop whilst on the assignment or even before you go to make it a success. A lot of organisation-driven assignments will focus more on the skills you currently have that are needed in alternative locations. However, it is important to look at how to achieve the assignment goals whilst also developing further capabilities. International experiences provide the opportunity of becoming more globally aware and cross-culturally informed which is sought after by many organisations in today’s market. 3. Am I the right person for this opportunity? In many instances the excitement of a possible expatriate assignment, the perceived recognition that this gives you within an organisation or just the experience in itself, actually results in individuals forgetting to make sure they are the right person to undertake the opportunity. Different personalities do not adapt to change the same way and moving to another location may be more challenging for you. Also, its worth considering that living standards, culture and tradition, professional environments, work-life balance, community expectations and education are different from country to country. This may impact you and your family’s ability to settle comfortably in the environment, and therefore risking the success of the appointment. 4. Pre-departure training Many organisations understand the value of pre-departure training but some dont provide it. Without this training some people suffer from culture shock which can risk the success of their assignment. The  training needs to cover the differences between the environment you are used to living in and the environment that you will be living in. The customs, traditions and communication styles are all important in business environments and these need to be understood before you take on the assignment. Pre-departure training for family members who are also moving is also important, as it will allow them to understand the challenges and issues that they are likely to face. For many expatriates, their partners will not be able to work and they will need to develop a social network of their own which is hard if they dont understand the local cultures and customs. 5. What support is provided during the assignment? Support is vital for anyone considering an expatriate opportunity to make sure that theres an ongoing connection with their parent country and the parent organisation. Thats because change WILL occur during your assignment, and this  may impact your ability to settle back in to the environment. Monthly mentoring with a connection back home is very important as it ensures that you are aware of any changes that are happening and how these may impact your career, your lifestyle, your personal life and your job once you  return. 6. Repatriation Don’t expect your repatriation back in to your old environment to be simple. Its inevitable that there will be a number of changes whilst you are gone and for individuals, even on short assignment, these changes can impact how you settle back in to your routine. Relationships may have changed, worked structures may be different, systems may be updated and your friendship routine may have seen someone else come in where you left off. Its important then that  you start to develop a support network for your repatriation whilst youre away on assignment, and maintain the connections to ensure you are aware of what to expect on your return. For a lot of individuals, the repatriation process is far more challenging than the assignment itself and it can have a big impact on relationships and your career if its not managed appropriately. As the global economy grows, more and more individuals are  considering expatriate assignments, so its important that you do the right amount of research and planning before making that step. A failed assignment can be a great hurdle to overcome but so can the impact on relationships if it is not known what to expect during this time. Whether its company sponsored pre-departure planning or personal planning, any type of international assignments need a high level of understanding and agreement even before someone looks to commit to it.

Great Gift Ideas for a New Boyfriend

Great Gift Ideas for a New Boyfriend The dating game can be rough â€" but every so often you’ll meet a great guy who seems to check out even after the fourth, fifth or sixth date. By this point, it’s starting to blossom into a new relationship and you start to spend more time together. But then you reach that awkward point in your budding partnership when a birthday or national holiday creeps up on you, and you’re just not sure what to buy for your new beau. Gifting a new boyfriend isn’t easy and some women just don’t know what is considered too much or what may be considered too little. For instance, a box of chocolates (unless he’s a self confessed chocolate addict) probably isn’t appropriate as your first gift to him. And a bottle of wine could seem a little too impersonal. So here are some great gift ideas. 1) A Beautiful Art Piece for his Home New relationships are developed on sharing interests and getting to know each other’s favorite books, artists and musicians. Leave a lasting memory in his home with a beautiful piece of art; a print, a canvas, a famous photograph or a sculpture by an up-and-coming artist. It’s an easy way of showing him what an interesting and well-rounded person you are. Find out where you can find affordable art on Buzzfeed. 2) Experience Gifts If giving material goods isn’t your style, a great idea is to purchase an experience gift that you can both enjoy together. Think about his hobbies, what he loves to talk about, or what he likes to do at weekends and create an exciting day/weekend that can help you get even closer. From rally car racing and horseback riding to unique dining experiences and cocktail classes, there is so much to choose from. 3) The Luxury Silk Tie Presenting a new partner with expensive designer clothing can appear as a slight overkill. For a more casual gift which sets the bar high but won’t scare him away, try accessories such as a luxury silk tie or some stylish cufflinks. Visit Knightsbridge Neckwear for a selection of luxury silk ties which are perfect as presents. 4) Football or Basketball Tickets Whether sports is your thing or not, there’s nothing more touching than a girlfriend showing interest in her boyfriend’s hobbies. Get front row seats for the Nicks or for the Broncos and watch him smile as he opens the envelope. 5) Craft Beers A bottle or ordinary store bought wine is too impersonal. But if you know your man is into craft beers, source him some interesting and quirky brews and he will really appreciate the effort. Read up on the best 100 craft beers that every American should try. 5) Premium Cigars and Cigar  Accessories Many guys out there will smoke the occasional cigar, whether it is to celebrate a friend or relatives newborn arrival, at a wedding, or on the golf course, it’s like a rite of passage to smoke a cigar with other men.   You will want to make sure you are getting a premium cigar brand like Macanudo. There is also the option to get him a humidor or a cigar cutter or lighter.   These will all surely bring a smile to his face. Pick up Macanudo Cigars and cigar accessories at Famous Smoke Shop online

Lets Stick Together

Lets Stick Together By, Melissa Alvarez I recently met up for lunch with a mother of four who is not only my client, but has become a dear friend of mine. As we ate our lunch, Mrs. X brought up her frustrations about a number of recent developments that have occurred in her personal life. I was sad to see her so flustered, so I asked her to take her time to tell me what was really going on. As she began explaining, I quickly realized what she has been the victim of: oh no, its The Jealous Girlfriend syndrome. If youve never met a girl who has this, youre a lucky lady. Unfortuntately, most of us have, and it sucks. Mrs. X continued her story, and as she did I kept thinking, Really? I mean come on. Mrs. X is the nicest, most professional and polished women/mother I know! Oh yea, thats probably it. Because while she has it together, others just cant seem to be happy for her. See, I love Mrs. X. She inspires me to be a better person. Do I want her lifestyle someday? Absolutely! Shes my role model and I love her for it. I hate to say it, but women (and men) can be such jealous little creatures. And for what? Arent we all in this together? Arent we all trying to be successful in our lives, and in our marriages? This is to all the Mrs. Xs and to all the secure women out there who love their lives. Be consistent and continue to love yourself and those around you. It cant, and wont, hurt you in the end. The others will just continue to be inconsistent as they fall deeper into their insecurities OR they can grow up and get over themselves and find a way to be better and more supportive friends. At the end of the day, we are in this together whether we like it or not.

10 Rules to Writing Compelling Cover Letters

10 Rules to Writing Compelling Cover Letters Does your resume go better with a cover letter? Some people say no, because nobody reads them. I agree to a point. Not all recruiters read resume cover letters. But I think many recruiters don’t because so many they see are a bit “blah blah blah.” That’s when the resume cover letter says nothing new or exciting, nor does it say anything about why the candidate wants the job. In a sea of such banality, one way to make your resume cover letter stand out, is just to do a good one. You can do more than that, though. Here are 10 rules to help you. Cover Letter Rule # 1 Do your research, part 1. Even if the job is advertised through a recruitment consultant you can still do your research. Call them and connect with them. They will probably not give you their client’s name but they may give you an outline of the challenges of the role as they see them. Your resume cover letter becomes far more engaging if you can tell the recruiter how they’ve inspired you to want to take this opportunity further. Cover Letter Rule # 2 Do your research, part 2. If you know who the company is, then there is no excuse for not looking up the website, doing a thorough google and reading the linked in profile of their company executives. And that’s just as a start. The aim of this research is for you to find some compelling reasons to want to work for that organisation and some ways that you can add value. So many people forget to say this on their cover letters. Cover Letter Rule # 3 You cover letter should clearly show you have read the job advertisement. The way you do this is to pick the key criteria in the advertisement and point out how you meet this in your letter. Also use key words from the advertisement, throughout your resume cover letter. That way it has a better chance of being picked up in screening software. Cover Letter Rule # 4 Try to keep your cover letter to one page and three or four paragraphs. The only real exception to this rule is if you are asked to respond to an “expression of interest.” An expression of interest is a mini government selection criteria where you outline how you meet job criteria. Then your letter may run to two to three pages. Cover Letter Rule # 5 Don’t be boring. Try to keep your own voice. Cover Letter Rule # 6 Keep a logical format. I use “hook,” “book,” and “took.” “hook” :- specific and memorable reasons as to why you want the role “book” :- a coherent argument as to why you should be hired “took” :- what you want to happen as a result of an employer reading your letter Cover Letter Rule # 7 Be personal. If you have someone’s name use it. Ideally a cover letter should start with a title Ms, Mr or Mrs. The exception to this is when informality is invited. A first name is more acceptable in an informal email, perhaps if you already have had a conversation with the contact person. Cover Letter Rule # 8 Type it. This sounds so basic. But I have to say this next bit because I have been asked this question. Yes. An application in writing generally means typed. Cover Letter Rule # 9 Plain white paper please. Pretty pink perfumed pages or something similar are never a good idea. Your letter will be unique, but for the wrong reasons. Cover Letter Rule # 10 OK I’ve crammed a few things here into one rule. A cover letter should not be: a repeat of your resume a standard letter that you send out to everyone hard to read full of spelling and grammar mistakes

6 Of The Best Countries To Work In Construction - CareerMetis.com

6 Of The Best Countries To Work In Construction The construction sector is a very lucrative industry and contrary to popular belief, it has the happiest workforce. That’s thanks to the industry’s focus on fostering strong working relationships amongst colleagues and stakeholders.In addition, the construction sector plays a pivotal role to the growth of a nation’s economy. Think of the industry as the building blocks of either a community, a culture or a business.evalAll the popular cities that brings in tourism, jobs and enterprise would not exist if it weren’t for the construction sector.That’s why the sector is so important to us. If you choose to work in the construction sector, there are plenty of opportunities out there around the world.And if you’re brilliant networker and an extremely talented individual who can bring your expertise and value to any project, then you will be in demand from right across the globe.This article aims to share six countries where you can prosper in the construction sector. The countr ies mentioned in this list are in no particular order. But they should give you a brief insight into each country.1) U.K.evalSource: PexelsDespite what you hear in the news about the UK concerning Brexit and the shaky economy, the UK has a construction industry which has a future. The UK government recently announced plans to create more than 300,000 new homesover the next decade.evalAnd thanks to the introduction of the CSCS card back in 1995, the UK is actually one of the safest construction working environments across the whole of Europe. The sector in the UK is in high demand for staff, whether they are construction labourers, site managers and civil engineers. The UK is definitely suffering from a skills shortage. And because of this, a lot of construction projects that have not started.This is an excellent time for you to join the trade in the UK.2) CanadaPhoto Credit- Pixabay.comIf you’ve ever been to Toronto and visit the surrounding suburbs such as Woodbridge or Brampton, then you will immediately notice that they have a lot of construction projects going on.evalSome economic experts say that Canada is undergoinga housing bubble that is in a risk of bursting. But then again, there are someexperts that would disagree.Canada has many natural resources that have remained untouched and would add to their economy in the near future. And with their recent intake of immigrants, those newly built houses will definitely come into use.It is not hard to deny that Canada is steadily on the rise, and many people are looking emigrate to this country. 3) New Zealand Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comNew Zealand has been popular destination in attracting foreign talent. And theconstruction sector in this country is growing. And that’s down to two factors. The first factor is that Auckland, one of the major cities in New Zealand, has been a seeing a great deal of growth.And the second factor is that the earthquakes which hit Christchurch in 2010 and 2011 have damaged ma ny homes and commercial buildings. This has generated many significant construction projects, including rebuilding and development of a new infrastructure.With the population increasing thanks to the appeal of a better quality of life New Zealand offers, it definitely worth having a look at what the Kiwi’s have to offer. 4) Australia Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comNot too far from the previous country mentioned in this post is Australia. Now, Australia has seen a dramatic recovery in the construction sector.According to a report written inBusiness Insider, the estimated value of construction projects entering the pipeline back in July 2017 was $21.7 billion.Australia has seen major civil engineering projects being proposed and successfully approved. In June this year, an $8 billion wind farm was proposed off the south-east coast. In August, a new airport was proposed near Koo Wee Rup The land down under is showing a lot of promise for the construction industry, so do look out for opp ortunities there.5) U.A.E.When we think of United Arab Emirates Photo Credit -Pexel.comThe last country on this list is Malaysia. Like Dubai, there is a famous building that is associated with Malaysia and that is The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur With Malaysia, their country’s construction sector has gone from strength to strength. A whole host of new construction projects are currently underway.Back in 2015, theMalaysian government announced a 5 year plan. This plans aim to improve the sector in terms of safety and professionalism, environmental sustainability, quality control and productivity. In making improvement in these areas, sector will see an improvement foreign investment and build global business ties.Malaysia’s capital, KL, already gives us a glimpse their hyper-modern architecture and infrastructure. As well as their huge number of grand shopping centres. Just imagine when this vision is implemented throughout the country.Conclusion I am sure there are more count ries that have also have a strong construction sector. But these six countries at this time of writing are the ones to look out for.The important thing to keep in mind when it comes to identifying countries that have a strong or a booming construction sector is to look at the entire economy itself.Since the construction sector represent the building blocks of an economy, things like foreign investment and government initiative helps spur the sector.So keep your pulse on the latest news that is happening across the globe and do your best to build contacts as you never know where you might be in the world.

You Have Two Choices

You Have Two Choices As I see it, if you are unemployed you have two choiceswork or dont work. It may sound overly simple, it may even sound cruel. Take all the emotion, unfairness, the economy sucks and other excuses/reasons out of the equation and thats what you have, right? Why isnt it as simple as this? Not long ago, I received some comments asking for me to provide insight, advice, help for the 99ers (99ers are those people who have been unemployed for 99 weeks or longer and exhausted their unemployment) and for those people who are living on the edge of homelessness. The readers suggested that my advice on networking over coffee and attending professional association meetings/conferences which both require spending money (which these folks dont have) are not realistic.   I agree. Starting Your Job Search Right I primarily address the needs of those new to job search.   My belief is that if I can catch them early and get them on the right trail, it is sort of a form of preventative medicine.   The longer someone is out of work without appropriate treatment, the more severe the disease gets, so to speak. Living Below or Within Your Means I have never been on the edge of losing my home.   I HAVE lived through my husbands 18 months of job search. We had always lived meagerly, but we had to cut back even more.   We canceled our cable. We ate a lot of spaghetti. We played the shell game with our bill paying.   We got depressed.   It was horrible and I NEVER want to go back there. We did learn some valuable lessons and still strive to live within our means and pay off our credit cards (when we seldom use them). We hadnt had a lot of money coming in before this either.   I remember crying over the phone with my sister-in-law as I told her I hadnt bought any new underwear in over 5 years. The few I had left were either torn or the elastic was shot.   No- this isnt the same as almost losing our home, but I remember how helpless and hopeless I felt.   This is my point.   The longer this went on, the more we both spiraled into despair. Coping When you have to worry about basic needs, food and shelter, all our energy goes into figuring out how to survive and there is little energy left for anything else. I have heard that those who live in poverty have adopted coping strategies to help them through this.   For many of the long-term unemployed, this is their first experience, and most may not have developed their coping skills, which makes their situations even more overwhelming. Work or dont work. So, back to the 2 choices. There are jobs out there. Maybe not good ones or the ones you may want or ones that will pay all the bills. Think short-term, survival.   Some money coming in is better than no money coming in. The other option is to create a jobthere are lots of problems that need solving, services that need to be provided.   Think simple.   Think short term. Child care, dog walking, office cleaning, elder care, data entry, lawn care, handy personlook around.   I am suggesting simple, word of mouth advertising. Nothing complicated.   (Shhh, maybe under the table). Finding customers/clients requires hustle, sales, positive attitude. I know, this isnt easy, but it is a solution. (Read Are You in Survival Mode Yet) Barter for services you need such as a babysitter.   Call in a favor. Dont tell me you dont know anyonebecause thats not true.   I think what is closer to the truth is that you dont feel comfortable asking anyone.   Thats different. Dont be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help.   Moving forward, I hope youll see that building relationships is sort of important. So, for all those long-term unemployed, ask yourself this. Are you saying I cant, because.. or I will, because

Do You Staple a Resume? A Few Tips

Do You Staple a Resume? A Few TipsDo you staple a resume? Staple a resume is to tape the paper document in a specific order and put it away. The reason why most people don't staple their resumes, is that they are unsure of what their order should be.Your resume will look very unprofessional if you staple it. If you are not sure of your resume's structure, here are some tips to help you with it. Here is a look at the best way to staple a resume.First, we want to put together the first part of the resume in the right order. Start from the top. If you start your resume on the bottom of the page, you will find that the headings will come off the top and therefore, you won't have any headings. Make sure to make your headings come in the right order so that it looks great.If you have family members that you know well, go ahead and put them in their last name. If you don't have family in your last name, use initials instead. If you are putting together your resume with an employment agency, get their client number and put that in the document. It will help out when the resume is being typed up for printing.After you've created your resume, be sure to check out how much white space you have left in the document. It's a good idea to make sure there is plenty of white space because the main body of the resume will appear on the page. If you have a lot of blank space, it will be hard to fill in the information.One more tip when you're taping your resume is to get into the best grammar and formatting. Don't go for the trendy types of sentence structures. Stick to the plainer type of sentences that have an even rhythm to them.Another tip is to get your resume into the best form so that it can stand the test of time. There is nothing worse than making a job application and it looks like it was hand-crafted by a child. If you ever take a look at an old resume and find it too plain, you may want to give it another try.Your resume is your only chance to let potential employers know that you are interested in the position that you're applying for. It is your first impression of you. Before you apply for any job, you must make sure that you have it neat and professional. That way, the potential employer won't have to worry about being rejected.