Case study International career coaching – supporting spouses of managers working abroad

Initial Position

In the course of an expanding global economy, an increasing number of employees and executives are nowadays working abroad. It is well known that the presence and satisfaction of accompanying partners abroad is a main condition for an overall successful foreign assignment. However, accompanying partners have to tackle a number of obstacles: they have to negotiate their way within a new environment and local culture, establish new contacts and, last but not least, find a job. As for dual career couples, spouses are no longer willing to abandon own career plans in favor of a foreign assignment of their partner. If they do not see options for their own career, their partner will lack the necessary support for going abroad. Studies show considerable losses and costs for multinational companies in case of failing foreign assignments.

Procedure

As a program manager of the company Net Expat, I support accompanying partners of expatriate managers to realize their own career plans at the location Frankfurt. In the context of a dual career planning, Net Expat is specialized in coaching job-searching relatives of expatriate executives. Net Expat is the only company delivering this kind of service in Europe with its headquarter in Brussels. Our service covers more than 40countries, further locations are in London, Paris, The Hague, and Dublin, and is widely used by many multinational companies.

6 different Net Expat programs support accompanying partners to find a job that meets their expectations in regard to their own professional career abroad, i.e.

• Job Search Coaching Program: An intensive coaching for two months helps clients to successfully apply on the German job market. Together we work on adapting the resume, application forms and strategies to German standards and look for efficient job search strategies. Clients receive a list with potential employers and are supported in applying for a work permit.
  
• Career Program: This program contains all steps of the job-search coaching program. In addition, we actively search for potential jobs and offer access to our specific database. PC, printer, internet access and email account are provided. Clients are supported in all administrative procedures. The program is rounded off with an intensive preparation for job interviews (with the means of role-playing) as well as intercultural training.

• Social Integration Program: Designed for expatriate partners who do not wish to or cannot work in the new host country, but are interested in staying socially active, the objective of the program is to provide partners with advice and guidance for a successful social integration.

Result

Net Expat has a high success rate supporting career plans of accompanying spouses: 83% of the clients find a job within 3 months. Due to the professional help and experience, accompanying partners feel unburdened and personally motivated to cope with the strenuous situation of changing to another country, residence, job, school. For personal feedback and relevant articles see the newsletters of Net Expat.

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