Women who want to move up the corporate ladder fast might consider packing their bags and moving to, say, China. That's the advice of Stacie Nevadomski Berdan and C. Perry. Yeatman in their book Get Ahead by Going Abroad: A Women's Guide to Fast-Track Career Success.
When Nevadomski Berdan was a junior account executive at Burson-Marsteller, she took a post in Asia--the day after her wedding. The effect on her career was, she says, remarkable. She flew up the ladder and tripled her salary in three years. By 34, she was leading the company's fourth-largest revenue-generating client and was named partner.
Berdan and Yeatman found many similar stories while conducting more than 50 in-depth interviews with women who worked abroad. The reasons? There's less competition for jobs in upper management. Also, employees hone their problem-solving skills by overcoming small challenges on a daily basis. (Try going grocery shopping in India when you don't speak the language or know how to get to the store.)
Most important, international employees become fluent in the way business is done abroad, a particularly valuable asset in the age of globalization
The number of women working abroad is increasing. About 400,000 to 500,000 American employees are transferred overseas annually. Of that, 30 per cent to 35 per cent are women, says Berdan. That's up from 10 per cent a decade ago.
Berdan recently chatted with Forbes.com about how to get that first job abroad and why it will help women get to the top.
Forbes.com: Why does working abroad specifically help women accelerate their careers?
Stacie Nevadomski Berdan: It broadens their capabilities and gives them more responsibility sooner. That's because there's often less competition. In places like New York or Chicago, there are hundreds of like-minded M.B.A.s in corporations and a lot of those people have similar backgrounds. As they get higher up, the available slots are fewer. Overseas--even if it's a smaller market like Belgium or Chile--the revenue stream is less, so not as many people want to live and work there.
Those who do get the chance to run an office or a site much sooner than they would here. That's particularly valuable because the lack of line and management experience is often a major barrier to making it to the top.
You say that women are particularly suited to work overseas because of their skill set. What are those skills and why are they in demand?
It's a big generalization, but if you accept that men and women are different, you know that there is an innate feminine style that sociologists talk about. There are five skills that are reasons for their success.
- Women tend to be adaptable. We have a fluid style that allows us to go with the flow and appreciate local differences and knowledge. We understand there is more than one way to get the job done. Many of us who worked abroad saw people crash and burn because they went in with a rigid approach.
- Communication skills are critical. It's more than talking and listening. It's non-verbal interaction and sensing what's gong on. That doesn't come through clearly if you're not paying attention. Can you think of any place more important to have those skills [than a place where you] don't speak the language?
- Women tend to build teams in relationships. Many people call it a nurturing style. That works well when you're in a foreign environment, because you don't have all the answers.
- Grace under pressure is essential. Things happen on local time not necessarily when you want it to get done. You really have to take the time to get to know your people, your team and politics. All of those things come slowly. You're not going to have success overnight.
- Be open to diversity. Women have been the minority, so they're much more open to it.
Are there certain countries women should consider now more than others?
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It's very much based on industry. Certain things matter to different industries. Companies will likely send you to a place that's not so expensive if you're lower-level.
But there are four countries that today and tomorrow will be places to be where you will have the most impact: India, Russia, Brazil and China. Brazil is one of the top financial markets. It's got a lot of natural resources and it's a huge market. Brazil is one of most populous nations in the world. India has tremendous natural resources. China is an economic superpower now, according to many experts.
How does someone go about landing that job abroad?
Do research to learn where the multinational companies are and where are they growing. Focus your job search on these companies. If you're already working at a large company, take steps to go overseas. Tell your supervisor and have it in your annual review. Also, tell as many people as often as possible, so that when a position opens up, managers think of you as a candidate.
Moving there on your own is also a possibility. If you have friends living in a country you want to be in or if you studied abroad, use those networks. There are logistics though. You need to figure out how to get a visa. Also, make sure you have a minimum of three months' income in the bank.
Is there a recommended amount of time to stay abroad?
Three years is the minimum to get the benefit. The first year you're figuring things out. The second year you're moving further, but by the third year, you're sailing. You've networked, built relationships and you're an asset. You also have to give a lot of consideration to how to go back to headquarters. Plan for it at least 12 months out. For some people, it's a let-down to return to the States. It helps to have a great job waiting for you.
This isn't a piece of cake, though. What are the challenges women should expect?
You have to really like diversity, because you're the different one. That includes everything from business meetings to shopping in the grocery store. That can be thrilling, yet it can also be quite tiresome. Every now and then I just wanted a great cheeseburger and a chat with my friends from college. You can get burned out.
Being an American in some places is tricky. Also, being a woman is challenging. People you work with accept you're the best--why else would a company send you? But sexual harassment laws vary by country. When I was in Asia, they accepted me in a business-meeting room. They respected my authority. But when it was over, they wanted me to sleep with them. They thought I was part of the package. When I'd say no, they wouldn't push it.
Yes, laws protect foreigners, but you're still a woman and physically at a disadvantage. You have to be smart and be careful. I once had a male client who locked me in his room. I was dumb and should never have gone to his room. Luckily, his assistant knew what he was up to and followed us up there.
Mothers and women thinking of having kids are reading this, saying they can't do it because of their families. You say it's easier to work and raise a family abroad. Why?
The management of a household is significantly cheaper in an overseas market. Getting a nanny or a housekeeper is a lot more affordable. And in many countries, they give more paid maternity leave.
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