Adaptability: a key employability skill

 

In 2017, I published the article ADAPTABILITY: A LESSON TO LEARN FROM THIRD CULTURE KIDS. Today, seven years later, the following are some of the key challenges that I continue to observe within the expat community while they adjust to new cultures, work environments, and social dynamics.  The following also includes some tips on how to thrive in a new environment. 

1. Cultural Adaptability

Expats frequently relocate to countries with distinct cultural norms, work ethics, and social structures. Employers highly value individuals who can navigate these differences smoothly. Adaptability in this context includes:

Cultural intelligence (CQ): Understanding and appreciating cultural differences to build better relationships and communication.

Emotional resilience: Being able to cope with the frustrations of cultural adjustment, from language barriers to differing workplace hierarchies and expectations.

Openness to diversity: Employers often seek candidates who can thrive in multicultural environments and bring fresh perspectives/think creatively to the team and organisation.

2. Flexibility in Professional Roles

Expats are often required to take on roles that may differ from those they held in their home country, sometimes involving unfamiliar industries, job scopes, or management styles. This involves:

Willingness to learn: Expats who demonstrate continuous learning and openness to new methodologies or business practices stand out to employers and co-workers.

Versatility: Being able to adjust to different tasks, functions, and responsibility, sometimes outside one’s usual expertise. Often, this can imply having less responsibility to start with but if seen in a positive manner as a learning curve and integration, it can be a door opener to other opportunities.

Critical thinking skills: In dynamic environments, the ability to adjust and solve unforeseen problems is critical, such as bringing your home country market knowledge to the table.

3. Networking and Relationship Building

Building a new professional and social network is another challenge expats face. Adaptability in networking includes:

Communication skills: Expats who adapt their communication style depending on the situation (e.g., formal vs. informal communication) are more successful in creating strong professional relationships.

Proactivity and openness: The ability to identify and establish local networks, attend industry events, and integrate into the local community.

Empathy and listening: The capacity to understand and listen to different viewpoints helps expats navigate both workplace and personal relationships, fostering collaboration and trust.

Successful relationship building often leads to faster professional integration, mentorship/sponsorship opportunities, and career advancement.

4. Emotional and Psychological Adaptability

Moving abroad and adjusting to a new life can bring emotional and psychological challenges.

Stress management: Managing the stresses of relocation, isolation, and homesickness.

Self-motivation: Expats who remain motivated in challenging environments are more likely to succeed professionally. Once the honeymoon phase is over, what do you do to remain motivated while taking care of your well-being?

Work-life balance: Adjusting to different societal norms around work-life balance, which might affect both productivity and job satisfaction.

5. Language and Communication Skills

Learning the local language: This is one of the most important aspects. If you can’t exchange with others, you will always feel like you are left out/on the side, not part of the discussion. Even a basic proficiency in the local language can improve day-to-day interactions, professional relationships, and personal integration. It also shows your interest in adapting and integrating. Be confident in your capacity to learn the language.

Adaptable communication styles: Adjusting communication techniques based on cultural preferences, such as high-context vs. low-context communication cultures, is essential for effective teamwork and leadership.

For expats, adaptability is not just an added bonus but a core competence that directly influences employability. Being adaptable makes it easier to transition into new roles, overcome cultural barriers, make friends, and integrate.

Copyright © 2024 Third Culture Professionals

Pexels: Oleksandr P

 


Brid is a native English speaker, fluent in French, a graduate in both International Business Communication and in Instructional Design. She is also accredited (TEFL) to teach English as a foreign language. Her professional experience spans over 20 years in an international environment, working in CAC 40 communication groups and as a consultant in Executive Search.