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Re-entering the workforce after a longer career break. Women around the world share their experience
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More Blog Posts
Career Success for Expats: Unlocking Career Success After Moving Abroad
Moving to a new country for work can be both challenging and rewarding. A recent academic study titled „Exploring the Determinants of Career Success After Expatriation: A Focus on Job Fit, Career Adaptability, and Expatriate Type“ sheds light on the factors that influence career success for expats. I have summarized some of the key learnings from this study in today’s post. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning an international career or moving countries to advance your career.
Are You Moving Abroad and Need to Update Your Resume for the US Job Market?
This article guides expats in adapting their resumes for the US job market, highlighting key differences from German resumes. It covers essential adjustments such as omitting personal information, emphasizing achievements, and using concise summaries. Additionally, it underscores the importance of reflecting on career goals and integrating international experience.
Finding Peace in Limbo: Thriving While Waiting for Your Work Permit as the accompanying spouse
Waiting for a work visa can feel like an endless rollercoaster of emotions. The uncertainty and impatience can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure if a work permit will ever materialize. However, this limbo phase can also be an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Why Couple Contracting is Crucial for Expat Couples
Living abroad brings unique challenges that can shift dynamics within a relationship unexpectedly. From adjusting to a new culture to managing career changes or redefined roles due to local constraints, these transitions can strain a partnership without clear communication and agreed-upon expectations. It might sound wired to formulate a contract with a loved one. However, many appreciate this tool since it supports be more clear and active in our way of communicating with our partner. Let’s get started and learn more about what couple contracts entail and how to set one up for yourself. Further down I am also sharing a free template with you to get the process started.
Female Expats and Their Perspectives on International Assignments
Female Expats and Their Perspectives on International Assignments Text by: Kate von Knobloch The distribution of genders in international assignments reveals that parity is still
Career planning for expatriate partners involves navigating unique challenges and opportunities
Career planning for expatriate partners involves navigating unique challenges and opportunities.
Why Expat Partners Especially Need Help with Crafting a Compelling Pitch and CV
In this blog post, we explore the unique challenges expat partners face in creating effective CVs and pitches, especially when dealing with career gaps. Drawing from personal experiences and professional expertise, the post introduces the CV Lab, a tailored program designed to help expat partners craft compelling, authentic CVs and LinkedIn profiles. It emphasizes the importance of confidently communicating one’s professional story, transforming perceived gaps into strengths.
Working on your LinkedIn profile is no fun – yet it’s essential
What to expect from this article: Learn more about the importance of LinkedIn in the job hunting process and how you can utilise this platform even if you are not keen on including Social Media in your career planning process.
Paving a Successful Career Path Abroad: How „New Roots“ Can Guide You
Embracing a new beginning abroad is no easy feat, especially when it comes to restarting or reinventing your career in unfamiliar territories. Discover how the “New Roots” program stands as a beacon of support and guidance, nurturing expat partners to forge successful career paths in a new country.
How Expatriate Partners Can Navigate Career Identity Transitions: Key Insights and Solutions
Discover key findings from a new study that looks at how expat partners manage their careers while living abroad. This information is important for anyone thinking about moving overseas and for companies that want to support their international staff.
Flourishing Abroad: Introducing the „New Roots“ Expat Partner Support Program
Discover the „New Roots“ program, your sanctuary of support and enrichment as you begin your life in a new country. Designed specifically for expat partners, this program will assist you in adapting to new cultures and building a fulfilling life in your new home. Read on to explore how I can help you navigate this exciting journey.
What do we know about expat partner career?
What do you actually know about expat partners and career planning? Numerous extensive academic studies have dealt with the question of how the career of partners who go abroad for a certain period of time for the partner’s job is affected. In this article, I’ll give you a quick run-through of some of the hot topics that are known about this.
Quick Steps to Re-enter the workforce
Re-entering the job market after a longer career break can be a daunting task. Many people who take time off from their careers for various reasons such as raising a family, caring for a loved one, or pursuing further education can find it difficult to re-enter the workforce. This is because the job market is constantly evolving, and the skills and experience that were once valuable may no longer be relevant. However, there are ways to succeed in re-entering the job market and I am sharing them here in this blog post and in my free guide book.
Changing values in the job market 2023
The beginning of the year is always a time for reflection and it is therefore not surprising that many people also consider whether their current job or employer still suits them. In today’s blog post, I summarize a few interesting facts from a Europe-wide HR study on changing core values of employees. This will give you a good feeling of where you stand compared to others – even when you are thinking about re-entering the job market, these facts are very helpful to get a feeling for the new value construct of the job market 2023.
The secret ingredient that turns a profession into a vocation
In psychology, many scholars have already addressed the question of what the difference is between a profession and a vocation and why people who are lucky enough to have found their vocation are so much more fulfilled in their lives. In this blog post, I’ll give you insight into the fundamental distinction between a profession and a vocation, and let you in on the secret ingredient discovered through research that turns a profession into a vocation.
Turning a hobby into a profession: A check in 2-years later
In this blog post, our first role model Leonie looks back on her professional path over the last two years and allows us to have a peek into her personal journey to turn a hobby into a profession. She shares her learnings as well her passion projects for 2023. As many of you loved this portrait I am so happy to be able to present a follow up to you!
How repatriation triggers an identity shift affecting your career plans
What happens to my own self-perception when we pack our bags as a family and move back to our Passport Country? For many women, especially those who had paused their career, this moment is often the impulse to re-enter the labor market as a matter of course. For many, the question arises: what does the move mean for myself? For my career plans and personal future? In this blog post, I provide insights into what changes from a psychological perspective and what the return to work means.
When preparation becomes a form of procrastination
Have you ever asked yourself if you are really taking the right approach to your job search? In this blog post, I’ll address the two most common strategic mistakes I observe as a career coach and invite you on a little journey of reflection.
Create your own Clarity Circle
In this blog post, I will provide you with a great coaching exercise to help you reflecting on your WHY concerning your next professional step. In case you are thinking about re-entering the workforce or switching roles but are not yet fully clear on what this new profession looks like this is a great tool to kick off the thought process.
The big entry ticket: What enables a smooth re-entry?
How do women land a job after a long career break? Is it by sending out traditional CVs to recruiters? I was curious to learn more about it, especially when there is a rather non-linear CV involved. So I interviewed women around the globe and asked them straight away. In this blog post, I am sharing two strategies that worked for many of them. You can also download the full study for free including all 5 essential access strategies. What will be your approach?
The Career Decision Tree Model
In this blog post, I present you with a new career concept about decisive and influencing factors on female careers around the globe. This model called, the career decision tree model, is also a great starting point to reflect on your own career decisions and I will show you how to work with it in this blog post.
The emotional rollercoaster of a career break
A career break is a phase in life that is always associated with self-doubt and uncertainty. Often women make their peace with this time after they have re-entered the labor market and have found for themselves that they have enjoyed the best of both worlds. Only in retrospect are many women very grateful for this time and at peace with their decision. In this blog post, I am sharing the emotional rollercoaster of women around the globe with long career breaks. Read about Lisa, who re-entered the workforce after 7 years and learn from her personal approach.
Why do women decide to leave the 9 to 5
About 62% of the workforce has taken a career break in their professional history at some point (LinkedIn, 2022). While in the past, career breaks have been a huge stigma and often led to career breakers not re-entering the workforce at all, we are experiencing a new era. But why is it that especially female employees, committed to their profession and boosting recognition and acknowledgment, are deciding to take a career break? In this blog post, I am shedding some light on the reasons for taking a career break and its implications.
Why career coaching is so essential in times of new work
As a coach, I have seen a visible increase in the need to explore different career options. While some clients are finally planning to tackle going back to work after a long break, other clients are seeking a shift in their current career feeling their skills and values are not matched with their current profession. During the pandemic the buzzword „The great resignation“ came up, illustrating the global need for creating a new work-life balance. In this article, I will highlight some interesting global facts around the topic of the great resignation and explore why coaching is such an essential tool for employees (and potential employees) to gain realignment with their careers.
A Different Approach to Everyday Life: A Return to One’s Own Values Abroad
Living abroad not only opens up a completely new view of the country and its people. The perception of worldwide cultural differences also does something to one’s own ideas. What is desirable? What belongs to the things that are absolutely necessary and what are things that are considered absolutely necessary in one culture and play no role at all elsewhere? This becomes very vivid if you make yourself aware of an everyday situation in a very concrete way. In this article, I look at the different designs of children’s rooms around the world and what this has to do with a return to our basic instincts.
Alltag anders: Die Rückbesinnung auf eigene Werte im Ausland
Das Leben im Ausland eröffnen einem nicht nur eine vollkommen neue Sicht auf Land und Leute. Die Wahrnehmung von weltweiten Kulturunterschieden macht auch etwas mit den eigenen Vorstellungen. Was ist erstrebenswert? Was gehört zu den Dingen die man unbedingt braucht und was sind Dinge die in einem Kulturkreis als unbedingt notwendig angesehen werden und woanders überhaupt keine Rolle spielen? Ganz plastisch wird das wenn man sich einmal ganz konkret an einer Alltagssituation bewusst macht. In diesem Artikel widme ich mich der unterschiedlichen Ausgestaltung von Kinderzimmern weltweit und was das mit dem Zurückbesinnen auf unseren Urinstinkt zu tun hat.
Why less families decide to move abroad
Are families less willed to move abroad in this world of uncertainty? How will expat assignments change within the next year? How to make the decision of moving abroad or working from home in another country? This article is shedding some light on the future of global mobility in the world we are living in right now.
The effect of giving yourself an A
What happens when you pretend the best case scenario already happened? Sharing a fun and compelling coaching exercise called „giving yourself an A“
The 4 types of Female Expats
How differently do women approach the concept of a career abroad? What traits can be assigned to the various international CVs? I spoke with 30 female breadwinners who have made it abroad and identified 4 types that have emerged time and again. In this article, I discuss each type and show what you can learn from them.
How to answer the question „What do you do?“
If you struggle to answer this question in an authentic and short way this blog post is perfect for you. Learn about how to start prepping your introduction.
Mum guilt – How much time should I spend with my child to be a good mum?
You know this nagging feeling when you are spending time apart from your baby? The feeling of guilt that might come over you when you invest in a babysitter just to do something for yourself? The often painful decision to leave your child to daycare to go back to work. In this article, I want to introduce you to the concept behind called mum guilt. You will learn that it is universal and you will learn how changing your approach on HOW you spend time with your kid can make all the difference.
Don’t turn your hobby into a profession
Often it sounds very obvious when you are thinking about how you could go on professionally: Why not simply turn your hobby into a profession? In this blog post, you’ll learn about the importance of passion in choosing a career and why losing the magic of a hobby can end badly.
How to use the new LinkedIn Career Break feature
Everything you need to know about LinkedIn’s new Career Break feature. My personal assessment of the function and a step-by-step guide with further information on the topic of re-entry.
How to cope with rejections while job hunting
Dealing with rejections creates a downward spiral of negative self talk. Here are my 5 tips to stop this process and focus on what you can control.
What are your signature strengths?
Our professional life and private life are closely connected. When we are unhappy with our career we are most likely also bringing that to the kitchen table back home. In this blog post, I am introducing the concept of signature strengths, how to reveal those strengths and what they have to do with you being not really happy with your current job situation.
Do the next right thing – Role Model portrait Mireille
I am delighted to introduce you to our Role Model of the month: Mireille. In this portrait, we will learn how everything unfolded in hindsight. While there was confusion in mixed feelings in the midst of the expatriate experience, all her small steps lead to her having a job and family life she is very happy about. Learn about the important ingredient of networking and finding the common threat in your life.
The future of female expatriation – the prospect of an international career path
In the course of my Female Expat Study, I asked women around the world about their international careers. Finally, I wanted to find out what their personal outlook is on the international job market for women. Will it become more and more normal to see women in leadership positions? Will companies send more women abroad or will they continue to see women as too much of a risk?
In this blog post, I give insight into how many women are currently being sent abroad at all and let the women themselves have their say with their view of the future.
Stop canceling on events last minute – about the destructive effect of not being committed
We say yes to dates and events only to end up not going. We read our social media feed only to find that reading is no longer the right word – we casually notice it while our finger is already scrolling on to the next post without us noticing. What happens when we stop being committed? What is the long term effect of this habit and how can we change when the world around us it at war?
The aimless & spoiled expat spouse – an opinion piece
A few years ago I read an article in a renowned German newspaper about women who move abroad for their husband’s careers and give up their careers to do so. The article was written in a tone that made it clear that the reality of this situation was not fully grasped by the authors. There was a lot written about self-sacrifice, betrayal of emancipation, and throwing away one’s identity. These are points that are certainly felt partially by expat partners, but they do not reflect the real motivation and situation in all its complexity. I have then written an opinion piece that has lost nothing of its relevance to this day.
Therefore, in this blog post I would like to point out the other side and draw a counter-draft to the image of the spoiled partner abroad.
Who performs better at work? Men or women?
In literature, the question has been raised whether women are so underrepresented in international assignments only because their work performance is not equivalent to that of men. So, let’s have a look at the facts and hear what female expats working abroad are having to say about their perceived work performance compared to men.
How to write a CV when re-entering the workforce
6 tips to improve your CV when you are re-entering the workforce after parental leave and living abroad
Role Model Story Nadejda: Having career aspirations despite parenthood and moving countries
Born and raised in Moldova, Nadejda and her family (2 pre-school children) moved to Germany in the midst of the pandemic. She put her corporate career on hold and used the relocation period as an opportunity to pursue a MBA in Germany. Read about having career aspirations despite parenthood and moving countries.
Should I stay or should I go?
The pandemic is entering a new phase. How do I know that? The fact that more women are approaching me again who are faced with the decision of whether or not to move abroad tells me the world starts spinning again. For a long time, companies froze and suspended their international assignments. Now it seems to start slowly again and especially women from Europe with possible assignments to America are just approaching me. So I thought it would be a good time to talk about this crucial phase of the decision-making process.
The 4 different types of expat partners
In this blog post, I will paint a picture of the accompanying partner trying to summarize different study findings. It will help you to get a feeling for the wide range of personalities of the expat partners.
Your path to a purposeful career
Finding your purpose. It’s become a bit of a buzzword, hasn’t it? An entire generation (and now parts of previous generations as well) are striving for a job that not only offers an attractive paycheck but is also fulfilling and singing. In other words, it has a purpose.
But what is a career led by purpose and how do I find it? I will answer these questions in this blog post.
Overcoming bureaucracy and the long path to find professional purpose abroad – Role Model Story Patricia
I would like to present you today, at Christmas time, a very special Role Model Story. It is a story that shows what happens when you persistently work on your goal and keep a profound fear behind you. It is a beautiful, emotional, touching story and I am very happy and proud that the protagonist this time is a friend of mine. Let’s start with this wonderful role model portrait.
What is your vision for 2022?
Have you manifested your goals for 2022 yet? Learn about helpful steps to visualize your goals and learn all about creating a vision board in this blog post.
Can you have it all? A global career and a happy family?
There are several potential reasons, why the vast majority of expats sent abroad by companies are still men. One of the often-mentioned myths is the question of balancing motherhood and a global career. In this article, you will learn about the different family models Female Expats choose and the essential parameters to make it possible in the first place.
The threat of expatriation for the expat spouse
An international relocation presents varying degrees of threat or challenge to expatriate spouses‘ happiness. In this blog post, I explain why that is and reveal the key ingredient to master the journey of moving countries with a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
Why do women move abroad?
What makes women seek a life abroad? What drives them? What is their motivation to pack their bags and move their whole life to the other side of the world?
I was curious to know more about that. So I asked 30 female breadwinners to share with me their own story and motivation. This question is part of my Female Expat Study that is published on this blog in October 2021.
Do you often question your own abilities? Watch out for the Impostor syndrome!
Do you sometimes feel out of place? Do you think others would be better suited for the task? Do you often question your own abilities? If you answered yes to these questions, it’s time to show you the concept of Impostor Syndrome. In this blog post, I’ll explain what Imposter Syndrome is, why it plays a significant role, especially in the expat community, and how you can leave it behind and rush into work or re-enter the job market with joy and confidence.
Is the grass greener on the other side?
I am thrilled to finally share with you my latest research on the Female Expat. After months of work (and a steep learning curve on conducting academic research), I am proud to present the result in the form of a free epaper to download. In this blog post, I will share key insights and why this study is relevant to you when accompanying your partner on an assignment abroad.
Your 5 step process to take your own career serious while living a global family life
Prioritizing yourself and your own projects is anything but a no-brainer. In this blog post, I share my 5 tips to make it happen, talk about Intensive Mothering and invite you to an intensive coaching session.
What do spouses work when moving abroad?
Learn how many expat partners are working abroad, the question of having a work permit or not and what to do when Plan A of continuing your former career does not work out.
Do you have your priorities straight?
In this blog post, I introduce a short coaching tool you can use to reflect on your priorities. This way you can prioritize what your next professional step should include and what should be put on the back burner unexpectedly.
The global glass ceiling of the Female Expat
The percentage of female expats is raising but it is still far away from gender parity. I was interested to learn more about the reasons behind it and came across the concept of the global glass ceiling which I will explain in more detail in this post.
This is a small glimpse into my upcoming study of the „Thriving Female Expat! which will be published in October 2021 and which you can access here soon.
The biggest challenges for the expat partner to work abroad
This blog post offers a well-structured overview of the most common challenges when moving abroad as a family for the accompanying partner and her own career plans. Knowing about the most common challenges will help you to prepare, to better understand the situation and the investment you are making and gives you a better position for negotiations with your partner and your partner’s company.
Wake me up BEFORE September ends
Why September is the best month to get back on track with your work goals and how to find a community to tackle your next step together.
The Protean Career
In the literature, a distinction is often made between the typical male and straight career path (alpha career) and the typical female, more volatile career path (beta career). Indeed, to this day, women face additional constraints and challenges in career planning. This article briefly describes the Protean Career – where women define their own definition of a successful career.
Conscious expatriation Michaela’s role model story
I am happy to present to you another Role Model Story today. This time a story without countless obstacles, several career changes, or identity crises. This story is less about the side of tears and more about how it can be and what you can do to get more ease in your life.
Repatriation with Kids
During summer many families are relocating to a different country. In this guest blog post, Anne is giving valuable insights into the psychological aspect and provides tips and tricks from her own experiences.
Favorite Places in Munich
What to do, where to eat, and how to meet other amazing expats. A guest blog from the website queen Eleanor sharing her favorite spots in the city.
Role Model Story Flor: A dream job 9 years in the making
Our Role Model Flor has a lot to offer: she grew up in Venezuela and is currently living in Germany with her American husband. She raised 3 children far away from home, couldn’t continue her profession as a lawyer abroad, was searching for herself without the professional label for a long time, and finally found her dream job shortly before her family will move from Germany to the USA in the middle of a pandemic. Flor has so much to share with us. She tells us what it was like for her to be at home with three small children and the knowledge that her own career fulfillment was so far away. She also shares about the long application process that finally provided her with her dream job and reveals her secret ingredient
Why some assignments fail
Not every posting ends happily. Many secondments fail, affecting not only corporate projects but also, especially in the long term, family and personal satisfaction. In this blog post, I would like to share a few insights that I was able to find in the course of my research on this topic. I like to refer to academic studies and large-scale studies and I am glad that there have been more studies on this topic especially in the last 20 years. If you want to look more into the topic feel free to check out this info box. In this box, I put the names of some papers and studies that I consider relevant.
I know I am a much more fun mum when I have my own project – Role Model Story of Marloes
Together with her two kids (now 6 & 8 years old) Marloes and her husband moved from the Netherlands to Taiwan. Back in the Netherlands Marloes worked as a consultant and it was their first international move. In this role model portrait, Marloes is reflecting on her path from a corporate working mum in the Netherlands to distributing fun & supportive workbooks for children moving abroad as an entrepreneur.
The New Post Pandemic Workplace – implications for the expat partner and international career couple
In this blog post, I share with you possible changes due to COVID-19 and how you can respond and benefit as the expat partners. Make yourself ready for a new work culture
6 Pillars of creating a career abroad
In this blog post I would like to go into the 6 pillars I recommend every expat partner to build. I address each of these pillars in my 1:1 coaching sessions and in the regular Mastermind groups.
Bye-Bye VUCA – hello BANI
Are you already freaking out after reading the headline? Has this headline created a fear of missing out (FOMO)? Well, the BANI model is gaining more traction right now and I wanted to clear some confusion you might have.
The power of having your own project – Luise’s Role Model Story
Meet Luise, a German social entrepreneur with lots of experience in living abroad and creating your own pursuit of happiness!
The WHY & HOW to approach strangers abroad
This blog post is all about making acquaintances abroad. I share the great TED Talk from a 75 year old Harvard study on the value of relationships on our happiness and health, share tips from the SharetheLove community and introduce you to the great Kio who shows you how to approach strangers. Life is too short for loneliness. Get proactive and inspired by all these great resources!
Finding friends abroad – how to connect with other expat families
Family and friends are the most important pillars in our lives. While we can take some of our family with us on our expat adventure, our friendships stay behind. So I was very happy when Dzhangar from Matchfamilies contacted me. His app that connects expat families was exactly the solution for the phase when you realize that you miss friends but don’t know what to do about it.
Becoming a teacher abroad – Andrea‘ story
In this expat partner role model story Andrea shares her approach to become a certified teacher for German as a foreign language during her time in Japan. A profession that she is now continuing after moving back to Germany.
My problem with Coaching
An open and honest clarification about the coaching profession and my attitude towards it.
Do’s and Don’ts on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is THE essential social media platform when you want to change career paths. I know Instagram is more fun but LinkedIn is a way better time investment. In this blog post, I share the 4 Do’s and Don’ts I when it comes to your activity on LinkedIn. Let’s get right into it.
The 1-year repatriation milestone: A personal reflection & tips
My phone remembered me that we left our apartment in Chicago exactly one year ago. After a typical Covid Weekend (meaning you are only able to recharge your batteries to 60%) I want to take the time to reflect on this past year and how my expatriate experience helped me navigate through this year.
The complexity of being an International Career Couple
I recently had the pleasure of talking to Jannie Aasted Skov-Hansen and Paul Vanderbroeck about their new book „The International Career Couple Handbook“. Reading the title alone, you will get a good sense of what the book is all about and it is a great additional resource when planning your adventures abroad. So as it is just a perfect fit for the SharetheLove audience and I really enjoyed reading it I want to tell you more about it in this blog post. I will introduce you to the definition of International Career Couples and explain to you why this book is very helpful even when you are currently NOT in a Dual-Career relationship right now.
Role Model Story: Preparing against all odds
Another episode of the expat partner role model series about the identity crisis after losing your career and creating a new path forward. Farsana was born in Afghanistan and emigrated to Germany as a child. moved to Azerbaijan, then to Lebanon and shifted her career as a lawyer online.
Future Workforce
What might the future of work look like and what would that mean for me and my career plans? I give insight into an interesting PWC study and explain what you can do for yourself today. There is also a fun quiz that will show you what corporate culture you are longing for!
How does your child feel about this international lifestyle?
For this post I invited an expert in the field of Third-Culture-Kids (TCK). Ann Wöste sharges her knowledge about how to care for our beloved children abroad.
Bring back the Structure to your life
Free planner to download to structure your month, week, daily todos but all aligned with your goals during your time abroad. Gain empowerment through becoming active again.
Modern Expatriation & Global Careerists
Also, besides COVID-19, the global war for talent is ongoing. Companies are still operating on a global scale and need qualified and experienced employees to master the task. In a very interesting piece, Yvonne McNulty, one of the best-known researchers in the field of expatriate management, is shedding light on what is changing in expat recruitment. In this blog post, I am sharing some insights from this study and explain the effects on the accompanying family and especially the expat partner.
From Hobby to Profession – Expat Partner Role Model Story
SharetheLove shares stories from successful expat partner around the world. This time, the amazing photographer Leonie shares her story of how her hobby became her profession
Rediscovering your intuition abroad
When your career plans abroad have not worked out: Listen to your intuition and pause your busy mind. Here is my personal story of my life abroad.
Global Mobility Trends in times of COVID-19
We are living in times of great uncertainty. COVID-19 has basically impacted all aspects of life including the way we work and travel. In this blog post, I shed light on the global mobility trends 2020/2021 and how the pandemic will hit the Global Mobility sector regarding expat management. As a coach of expat partners, I always follow the global mobility industry closely. So here are my observations!
The 21st-century motherhood dilemma – an opinion piece
The struggle of getting childcare in Gemany and the constant justification of a mother of a 9-months old. An opinion piece with the invitation to support each other.
RETURNSHIP – THE CAREER BREAK SOLUTION?
Many women are looking for the second act in their life after caring for the children for decades. Other women are already struggling with returning to work after only a couple of years of the career paths. No matter the lengths away from the workplace, many women have two things in common: they are highly educated but lacking the network and the confidence to get back on track after a career hiatus.
How to land a job during a pandemic
Since COVID19, women have reached out to me asking whether they should still apply for jobs. They hesitated to send out resumes and continue investing time and energy into looking for opportunities. In this blog post, I am talking about was has and was has NOT changed since COVID19 and how to prepare for the competitive journey of getting your dream job.
THE CONCEPT OF INTENSIVE MOTHERING
Most mothers struggle with juggling the different roles in their life. How to enjoy work while also caring for children? How to deal with public opinions about being a good mother? How to encounter colleagues at work who diminish your level of commitment? Many academic papers are researching the manifold challenges of motherhood. Today, I want to introduce you to the concept of intensive mothering and its effect on the working mothers‘ experiences focusing on the paper by Lamar and Forbes (published April 2020) called „A phenomenological investigation into the role of intensive mothering in working mothers‘ career experiences.“
Motherhood & Career Planning – Deciding on a family model
Becoming a mother most likely creates a shift in your perspectives and your priorities in life. Like with any other major life change it offers the possibility to reflect on the path behind and provokes the question of What next? While mother AND father are facing a new era, it is especially challenging for the one who pauses a career and becomes the major caregiver. In this blog post, I reflect on the different family models and how to decide what’s best for you.
Moving countries during an epidemic
5 weeks in our very own repatriation journey I want to take the chance and reflect. How does it feel to move back to your home country? How does someone adjust to a culture that is familiar but distant at the same time? Oh, and yes, let’s not forget that we are all trying to create a new normal in times of Covid19.
Should I still send out job applications? How hiring is affected by Covid19
Covid19 is affecting all layers of our daily lives obviously not sparring out employment. As this website focuses on the professional journey of expat partners, I want to address the questions you might have right now:
Does it still make sense to apply for jobs?
Are there even job listings?
What can I do to increase my chances of becoming employed?
How expat families are coping with the coronavirus
2020 had a rough start in terms of global news. The outbreak of the coronavirus was one of them. The sheer amount of media coverage (on all levels of quality) and the uncertainty that the virus outbreak brought to many lives also affected expat families around the globe but specifically those closer to the area of origin. I was wondering, how expat families are coping with the challenge, how they made their decision on whether to stay or to go „home“, and what they have learned from the current situation.
Mastering the international move
Moving overseas is a stressful time, especially when the two Cs (Children & Container) are involved. With our own move shortly ahead, I want to summarize all the tips and tricks I received from other experienced expats and that helped me the last time we have moved countries. This list of tips is tailored to families moving with a container. Often there are professional moving companies involved and while that is a huge help in can also lead to many misunderstandings and hiccups along the way.
Repatriation is a bitch
Repatriation is one of the most underrated and intense phases of the whole process of temporarily living abroad. In this blog post, I want to show why that is, what you can do to prepare, and what you can expect. As always, I have used a mixture of academic papers, articles, and personal stories from within the expat community to create a valuable and comprehensive resource for you.
Life abroad: Perception vs. Reality
The perception of our lives abroad often differs tremendously from reality. While life abroad definitely brings along a lot of joy, happiness, opportunities and exciting experiences, it also comes with a price tag. Like everything in life, there are two sides to a coin.
The idea of us sitting along the pool sipping a margarita might feel far away for you. For your friends and family back home, this might be the picture that they have in their heads.
I am grateful for…
Thanksgiving is around the corner reminding us to get together and reflect on what we are thankful for. As a German and vegetarian, the traditional version of Thanksgiving is not really my turf. However, it’s a great time for reflection and creating awareness of how lucky we are despite the daily stress we might have.
The biggest gift of living abroad
A column about the biggest gift of living abroad and the joy of expatriation.
Internations Business Solutions Study 2019
Recently, InterNations Business Solutions published its new survey about expats around the world. This time they dedicated a whole section to the relocation spouse and presented her demographics, personal situation, needs, and wishes for their time abroad.
With over 1,300 relocation spouses interviewed, it is one of the most comprehensive surveys out there. That’s why I find it highly relevant to talk about the results – so let’s have look inside.
EXPAT PARTNER CAREER PLANNING: HOPE & DISILLUSION
Recently I stumbled upon one of the best, recent academic papers about Dual-Career Planning in expatriation. The paper „Expatriated dual-career partners: hope and disillusionment“ by Agnieszka Kierner perfectly illustrates how hope vanishes when career goals are not met during an international assignment.
Stepping outside your comfort zone
Every once in awhile, we get triggered to step out our own comfort zone. For me personally, this often involves public speaking or sales pitches. Those are things that are just not meeting my core strengths. While others love to present themselves, I prefer to put the content in the spotlight instead of me as a person. However, when you are seeking to grow personally and professionally, stepping outside the comfort zone is a vital method and can’t be neglected!