New opportunities and challenges can be found everywhere, however, the best place for career growth in your field might no longer be on your doorstep. Cross border job search can be a huge undertaking and can present challenges on both professional and personal levels.
 
Resumes/CVs
It is likely that your Resume/CV will be viewed digitally, making length less of an issue, therefore your global resume/CV doesn’t have to be confined to one page. However most Resumes/CVs will eventually be printed, so remember to check the size of paper used in your target country when formatting. The amount of personal information provided on a Resume/CV will vary by region, certain information such as hobbies and interests are expected to be included in most cultures. If you are looking at a move to the UK or Asia remember to Anglicise the words to British spelling and the opposite if you are looking for positions in the Americas.
  
International Telephone Interviews
Some people love them, others hate them. Whether you are a fan of telephone interviews or not, the key is preparation. Differences in time zones may present the biggest challenge. You need to be able to accommodate the company’s business hours, so make sure you are fresh and mentally alert regardless of time. Creating a crib sheet to refer to during the interview of your key skills, experiences and strengths in relation to the job description can be incredibly beneficial - it allows you to organize your thoughts. This prepatory work can be also be used for personal marketing in your LinkedIn profile or elevator pitches in the future.
 
Cultural Transitions
We frequently overlook the impact of cultural transition upon careers, sometimes resulting in a lack of assimilation that may derail the career opportunity. Expecting people in another country to understand out cultural mannerisms and behaviors just because you share a language can be a huge mistake. Read up on local fashion and culture, and maybe invest in a local slang dictionary. In addition, returning home after several years can be more challenging than a move to another culture - in is crucial to expect changes and differences and to plan time to deal with reverse culture shock.
 
 
This article was written by Sarah Wright, Marketing Assistant at the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).

BlueSteps is the exclusive service of the AESC that puts senior executives on the radar screen of over 6,000 executive search professionals in over 70 countries. Be visible, and be considered for up to 50,000 opportunities handled by AESC search firms every year. Find out more at www.BlueSteps.com.