Building Your Career Abroad: Insights from Erica Yanney

This post was originally published on this site.

Navigating a new professional environment, especially in a different country, presents unique challenges and opportunities. In an enlightening Q&A, Erica Yanney shares her insights on understanding work culture, overcoming language barriers, and integrating into workplace communities. Her practical advice extends to tailoring resumes, building personal brands, and effective job searching strategies for foreign professionals. Whether you’re just starting your journey abroad or looking to deepen your integration, Erica’s guidance is invaluable for adapting and thriving in a new professional setting.

What should professionals new to a country initially focus on to understand the work culture there?

• “Observation and Adaptation: Spend time observing how colleagues interact, communicate, and conduct themselves in the workplace. Adapt to local norms and practices accordingly.
• Communication Style: Pay attention to directness, hierarchy, and formality in communication. Align your style with local norms.
• Hierarchy and Decision-Making: Learn about organizational structures and decision-making processes, whether centralized or decentralized.
• Work-Life Balance: Understand expectations around work hours and balance. Different cultures prioritize differently.
• Relationship Building: Invest time in building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, crucial in many work cultures.
• Attitude towards Authority: Understand attitudes towards authority figures and how they’re respected or challenged.
• Dress Code and Appearance: Familiarize yourself with workplace attire expectations, which can vary significantly across cultures.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural norms, values, and taboos to build rapport and avoid misunderstandings.
• Feedback and Criticism: Learn how feedback is given and received, whether direct or implicit.
• Training and Development: Take advantage of orientation programs to better understand local work culture and practices.

Focusing on these areas enables professionals to adapt effectively to their new work environment.”

As foreigners start getting familiar with the work culture, how can they effectively tackle language barriers in their workplaces?

“Nowadays we have tools like Google Translator and ChatGPT to help us with words and concepts we don’t understand. Have them readily accessible on your phone. In meeting contexts, you can quickly check words to clarify. 

When it comes to written communication, Grammarly is another helpful tool to catch mistakes. Just be aware that those tools are not perfect and many times it misunderstands the context and suggests something wrong. 

I recommend having a Business English Tutor. Depending on the importance of the communication, have your Business English Tutor review communication documents for you. When I was at the University, my tutor would revise my papers with me, and this was very helpful in my development. 

Beyond that, be in peace with your vulnerability as immigrants and ask clarifying questions whenever necessary to ensure complete understanding about tasks and assignments. We are what we are: foreigners adapting at a new country, we need some grace. Find supportive colleagues and avoid those with a competitive, critical,  and judging spirit who may have a negative attitude towards foreigners for this help.”

Once language issues are being managed, what’s the best way for immigrants to adapt to different communication styles and professional etiquette in their new environment?

“Observation remains key. Keep it human. Most humans speak the “human language.” Be authentic while also considerate and respectful of cultural differences. Flexibility is key in adapting. Allow yourself to adopt some new ways of communicating and being while also maintaining some key values and allowing your unique identity to show. 

This is a balance that you will figure out with time. You will need to experiment and see which boundaries feel comfortable and are effective at the same time. You are unique; your circumstances are unique, and there is no one recipe fits all.

Just avoid the trap of assimilation: abandoning your identity completely for the sake of fitting in. That leads to identity crisis, depression, and unhappiness. Find the right balance between transforming and remaining who you are at the core.”

What strategies can foreign professionals use to fully integrate and feel included in their workplace community?

“Integration and inclusion can be fostered through:

• Authenticity and Openness: Be comfortable with your identity and open to interactions. Smile, be friendly, and show willingness to engage with colleagues.
• Taking Initiative to Connect: Take the first step in building relationships. Reach out, participate in team activities, and demonstrate willingness to contribute positively to the workplace community.
• Cultural Understanding: Be understanding of cultural differences and demonstrate patience and empathy towards colleagues. Address misunderstandings with humility and a willingness to learn.
• Seeking Supportive Networks: Identify supportive colleagues and networks within the workplace. Avoid individuals with negative attitudes towards foreigners, prioritizing relationships with those who embrace diversity.

By following these strategies, foreign professionals can integrate successfully into their workplace communities.”

Tailoring Resumes and Personal Branding for the Local Job Market

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• If this will be your first work abroad, on the cover letter or resume, assure the hiring managers and HR professionals that you have a visa that allows you to work legally in the country. 
• Once you have had experience in the country, don’t mention your visa status to avoid bias. They will see that you have worked in the country already, so they can assume you have the required visa and authorization to work.”

After tailoring their experience, what key resume elements should foreigners focus on to align with local job market expectations?

• “Ensure you have all certifications required, or that you have an equivalent one in your country and can easily pursue the National equivalent.
• If this will be your first work abroad, on the cover letter or resume, assure the hiring managers and HR professionals that you have a Visa that allows you to work legally in the country. 
• Once you have had experience in the country, don’t mention your visa status to avoid bias. They will see that you have worked in the country already, so they can assume you have the required visa and authorization to work.”

With a tailored resume, how should immigrants approach building a personal brand in their new professional setting?

“Technical knowledge is country-neutral. Understand the knowledge and skills required and prove with real-life examples that you have a track-record of success in the required competencies. You will be hired by your talent, degrees, soft skills, emotional intelligence, leadership, and the proven successes of your career. Brand yourself as the ideal competent candidate for that company and you will have success.”

What common pitfalls in resume writing should immigrants be aware of and avoid when applying for jobs?

• “Not making your resume culturally relevant and fit.
• Not following the laws of the land for resumes.
• Not using metrics that are better understood by the culture.
• Having English mistakes in the resume.
• Not translating role and degree titles into something the culture can comprehend.
• Not displaying what is relevant for that company in terms of competencies and skills.
• Not focusing on results, and simply describing responsibilities.”