Working Abroad: The Pros and Cons for Your Career

As headhunters, we often find ourselves in a unique position. On one hand, we support Italian candidates returning from abroad; on the other, we meet Italian professionals eager for opportunities in other countries. Some seek a permanent move, while others aim to gain valuable experience to leverage back in Italy. In general, international experience is an excellent way to enrich your worldview and develop a global mindset.

If you have been fortunate enough to study abroad or gain work experience early in your career, you will more naturally see life outside Italy as a viable option, giving you access to a broader job market. For those looking to make a strategic career move, understanding how to position yourself is key to improving career marketability.

The Pros: Why You Should Work Abroad

• Language Fluency : You'll acquire a fluent, professional command of a foreign language, a skill that's in high demand.
• Mental Flexibility and Resilience : Living and working with different cultures forces you to adapt, pushing you out of your comfort zone and building confidence.
• Enhanced People Skills : Being deprived of your existing network means you have to build one from scratch, which can dramatically improve your relational skills and empathy.
• A Boost in Proactivity : Many job markets instill a proactive spirit that gives you a competitive edge. The field of talent acquisition, for instance, highly values candidates with this drive.
• A Global Network : The relationships you build abroad are invaluable and can be leveraged back in Italy”a clear advantage over those who have never left.
• Advanced Methodologies : Especially in technical fields, working abroad often exposes you to more advanced methodologies. This expertise can be highly sought after back home, particularly in specialized areas like international executive recruitment.
• Financial Advantages : Salaries abroad are often higher. Even with a higher cost of living, this can translate into significant savings and a better quality of life upon your return.

The Cons: The Challenges of Working Abroad

• Distance from Loved Ones : If you're not used to being away from your family and friends, you'll have to learn to manage long-distance relationships.
• The "Newcomer" Challenge : At the beginning, you'll have to work harder to prove yourself, and the line between your work and private life might become blurred.
• Cultural Adjustments : You'll have to come to terms with new ways of thinking and living, which can affect your well-being and stress levels.
• Rebuilding Your Network : Returning to Italy might mean starting from scratch to build a professional network, requiring extra effort to catch up to peers who stayed.
• The Salary Shock : Upon returning, you might find salaries disappointing compared to what you earned abroad, making adjustment difficult.
• Being "Too Expensive" : Some companies might see your profile as "out of budget" and exclude you from the selection process. This can be a particular challenge in a c-suite executive search.
• Corporate Culture Clash : If you're used to a flat management structure, you might find some traditional Italian companies to be hierarchical and less dynamic.

Making an Informed Decision

Making the decision to work abroad”or to return home”is a pivotal moment in your career. It requires a blend of bold ambition and careful planning. By facing diverse life experiences and pushing yourself to adapt, you return home not just with new skills, but with a structured problem-solving ability and a resilient, global mindset that will set you apart for the rest of your professional life.

As you chart your next steps, understanding the mechanics of the executive job market gives you a distinct advantage. Knowing what top-tier companies look for in their leaders is invaluable. To gain insight into the high standards that define today's premier industries and better position yourself for success, we invite you to explore our professional services.