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Globalization and technological advancements made migration easier. As the world seems to be getting smaller, more countries are opening up their labor markets for foreign workers.
Inspired with the success stories of those who found a better life abroad, many Filipinos think that the greener pasture is outside the Philippines. However, not all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who try their luck overseas end up triumphant. So what does it take to succeed overseas? Is it loads of training on a particular field, years of work experience or a degree in a reputable university?
Surprisingly, consultants of international recruitment of expatriate workers for international companies worldwide said that people who were able to settle and adjust well in their new life and jobs in a foreign country are not the ones who have impressive educational and professional background. Rather they are the ones who have excellent attitude.
Neil Jacobs of Young Samuel Chambers (YSC), a group of business psychologists, describes a successful expatriate candidate as the one who is adaptable and have a naturally positive mindset. So if you plan to accept a job offer in Dubai or are thinking of immigrating to New Zealand, you should prepare yourself for all the changes and challenges that you are sure to encounter in your new environment.
Being ready and able to cope with life as a foreign worker is said to be more important than making sure that you are qualified for the position.
It is also important for OFWs to have an open mind and welcome the changes that come with migrating. International recruiters advised expatriate workers to be concern not just with the new job they will have abroad but the new life they will lead there.
Recruiters cited a culture shock cycle that is said to be experienced by all expatriates before they start adapting to their new surroundings. Foreign workers who successfully survive this cycle end up happy and accomplished global employees.
The first cycle is when expatriates gladly embrace everything about the place they moved into, the good as well as the bad. They see their life overseas as exciting and thrilling rather than dreadful and scary.
Then after this period comes the realization that their new environment is so different from the ones they are used to. They start to miss their old life and then the dark clouds moved in, making them feel negative and doubtful, even angry.
This stage can make or break the career of an OFW. Those who cannot overcome the homesickness and boredom may end up going home or be a lousy OFW while those who fight the negativity by staying optimistic survives the cycle and eventually adapts to the changes.
To succeed, OFWs should take everything as a challenge and have a positive outlook by ignoring minor discomforts and see every difficulty they may encounter as a chance for learning.
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