Report on Orion China by Patricia Siwajak and Manvel Robinson

Orion China
A talent sourcing firm in Shanghai

Anyone who has ever thought about working overseas, as a contractor, full-time employee, or intern, would have benefited greatly from Brian and Patrick’s presentation. The two gentlemen spent more than 80% of their careers in the Asian and European markets and were able to give first hand information about their experience from both sides of the coin, previously as employees and now as recruiters. One of the primary points that stood out was from a statement made by Brian, “when thinking about working overseas you must define if your reasons are one of the three: cultural experience, exposure or compensation.” In addition, you should also consider opportunities within in your company that will allow international exposure; chances may be greater with your current company.

Working overseas requires similar characteristics that are needed for the everyday national workforce, but they may differ slightly. The first attribute Brian mentioned was being opened minded, which would allow one to grow, maneuver through small issues and is needed to refrain from petty hang-ups. The next trait for success was adaptability, when moving to another country there may be a drastic change from your everyday meals and language, both which can be tested or practiced in your homeland to identify such barriers. Humility and flexibility are additional qualities international employees need to uphold in their everyday workforce. This will allow you to establish a comfortable livelihood within your international work environment and the area in which you reside. Often, foreign employees are met with challenges to think longer before they react, vigorous assessment of the risk can avoid unforeseen culture clashes. The last personal trait considered necessary is relationship building, it is needed in any market, but starting or continuing a career in a new country it is essential more than ever to establish creditability and to obtain resources to continuously grow within the company.


Looking to become an expatriate? See below information to ponder.

Common characteristics of successful leaders in international business

• Possess a multicultural foundation; born, grew up and or schooling in different countries
• Diverse background
• Able to adapt to different cultures, this is necessary to be able to successfully manage, for example: the management style in the US is more direct whereas in China the management style is less direct but more complex.
• Coming from a developed country to work in a less developed country is tricky and provides a huge cultural shock. You need to look beyond yourself and look at the community you are joining. In some countries such as Japan a foreigner will always be a foreigner, it is tough to be accepted.
  

Issues for an expatriate explained by “The Iceberg Principle"

1. Rationale- visible

• Career achievement
• Expatriate benefits

2. Emotional challenge

• Prejudice
• Culture
• Time
• Tolerance
• Politics
• Ego
• Tolerance
• Family
• Language

3. Critical Success factors

• Technical and management experience (function specialist)
• International experience
• Multicultural mindset (means constant adjusting and measuring yourself and self awareness)
• Commitment to learn
• IQ- EQ and culture
• Willing to learn new language
• Willing to get yourself out there for possible "raw" exposure
• Patience and speed
• Guanxi building (relationship building is important everywhere it is overplayed in China) can be a time water- you need to approach the personal within business objectives within long term perspective
• There is a completely different way of looking at ethics in China though China is moving more towards corporate governance
• You don't need to take on 100% of the new culture though you might need to change the way you work. For example: in Hong Kong, the work day ends at 9pm.

Before sending your resume

• Understand why you want to work in China
• Is there an international opportunity within your current company?
• You can't go to China with the expectation of finding a job, you need to have the job before going there. There is too much local competition
• Be prepared for setbacks
• Realize you could possibly be spending time internationally without career advancement or benefits.