| There has always been a certain mystic, excitement, and aura about traveling and especially working internationally. International assignments typically offer a much greater degree of autonomy than other corporate positions. Simply because the individual is located away from headquarters, there is less daily oversight, but there are also higher expectations for accomplishing successful results. This is ideal for individuals who have a strong sense of achieving objectives and goals. The international assignment allows emergence in a new culture, geography, and language. In addition, it is ideally suited for the individual who loves the challenge of change, and is flexible enough to adapt to these changes, living abroad can be very rewarding. However, for people who need to have predictability, control, and calm, international assignments can be a potential problem. QUESTION: What types of employees are increasingly being chosen for expatriate assignments? What characteristics are firms seeking when selecting expatriates? |
