Two recent surveys – one conducted by NatWest International, another by InterNations – both highlighted a rising trend: more and more female British executives are looking to advance their careers abroad.
Preferred by companies
Furthermore, companies also want to hire female staff. Two years ago, a survey by Expacare, an international health insurance company, revealed that business leaders see single women who speak a foreign language as the best candidates for international roles.
Pros and cons
While acknowledging that more young professional women seek foreign assignments as part of their career development, Courtney Ellis-Jones of the Forum for Expatriate Management, warned that expatriate life can also be “frustrating, difficult and lonely”. However, Ms Ellis-Jones added: “The positives are vast, both professionally and personally. The chance to experience a new culture is a rich and rewarding one. Broadening your horizons to the way people work and interact develops a more passionate and sympathetic employee, which leads to better management.”
