Nowadays, it is common for several international companies to select certain employees, offering them the opportunity to become expatriates. This is often a difficult decision to make, depending on the length of time they will reside in the new location, the country to which they will relocate and of course, their circumstances, such as having a family.
These companies know that adjusting or adapting to life abroad and a new culture can be a big challenge, so they must take responsibility and provide the employee with the necessary assistance. There are common obstacles that most expatriates share, as you can read in our article 9 things that happen to every expatriate.
Here are some tips to help companies reduce the challenges that the candidate may face in their relocation.
1. Evaluate the candidate in advance
As mentioned above, there are common difficulties that expatriates may experience. For this reason, it's important to determine if the professional is willing and prepared to live abroad by assessing different areas such as certain skills and abilities needed for the job in question. This assessment can be as simple as a questionnaire where the employee and their family's lifestyle and priorities are revealed, thus knowing their strengths and the possible challenges they may face in the new location.
2. Offer time and space to make the decision
Considering the particular situation that each family may have, such as the couple's professional life, it's important to give the candidate the necessary time to organize themselves and make a decision regarding their departure. This can help them feel confident and prepared for the changes they will experience in the new location.
As a company, it's also necessary to provide accessible work and personal opportunities to facilitate their adaptation and thus, the success of their relocation.
3. Maintain good communication during the process
If the candidate has a family, getting their partner and children to adapt to this big change will be the key to a successful relocation. Therefore, it's important to involve all family members, helping them to prepare before the move and maintain an agreement on the priorities and objectives of the job assignment.
For this, you can visit our article 8 tips for BEFORE moving to another country, where we share with you all the steps regarding documentation and packing, among other issues to consider.
4. Preventing the stress of cultural changes
One of the most complicated aspects of moving abroad is adapting to the new culture, customs, and even the country's language. If possible, the family or the employee in question can attend intercultural training, which is a useful way to learn about the new country and develop skills to better understand the culture in which they will be living.
5. Support to speed up their adaptation
This decision involves not only changes in the employee's environment, but also psychological changes. It's essential to consider the whole family, providing them with the necessary support and information for each member to adapt and develop their lives in the new environment, and also encouraging them to interact with other expatriates or locals. This will help them settle in and start a new home.
Read our article with the best tips for adjusting as a family to an international move, which can help the candidate to lighten the pressure and make a positive experience for their family.
Remember that the best way to support expatriate employees and prevent culture shock is to prepare carefully and in advance for the changes they’re about to face.
