•85 % agreed going overseas accelerated their careers
•78 % agreed it had a significant impact on compensation
•71 % agreed they were given increased responsibility earlier in their careers because of their international experience
•53 % agreed an international experience is one of the best ways to break through the glass ceiling
One of the most underreported ways that globalization is impacting today’s workforce is the sharp rise in the number of U.S. companies seeking Americans with international experience. According to the Society of Human Resource Management, 69% of major American companies are planning to increase the number of people they send abroad this year – up from 21 % just two years ago.
“Globalization is changing the way the world works. People with international skills and experience are in increasingly greater demand. Since most Americans don’t have them, those who do are at a distinct advantage, particularly women,” say Yeatman and Berdan.
Throughout the book, more than 40 female executives contribute first-hand accounts, candid and instructive anecdotes and step-by-step guidance for securing and succeeding in an international position. Some of the many topics covered in GET AHEAD BY GOING ABROAD include:
•Landing that first overseas assignment
•Adjusting to a new culture
•Making the most of your assignment
•Returning successfully or moving on to another exciting overseas posting
Yeatman, who hop scotched across three continents during her 17-year international career, states, “I was a twenty-five-year-old account executive making $25,000 a year when I accepted my first job overseas. Just ten years later, I returned to the U.S. as a vice president in one of the world’s largest consumer products companies, making more than twentyfold what I had when I left. It never would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone abroad.”
Berdan adds, “In my three years in Asia, I grew both professionally and personally. From managing the cultural divide to managing multiple currencies, cultures, and business protocols I faced challenges I’d never encountered before. My business savvy, management skills, and stature within the company increased quickly, as did my title and salary.”
