Taking the biggest step - the story of my international experience and why you should do it too!

Desde Edimburgo hasta Madrid - my journey to the land of sangria, paella and Salsa!

Making the decision to spend an extended period of time away from home is never easy - there's a lot to consider! Things such as, 'What if I can't adapt to the culture?', 'What if I don't like living there but I can't go home?' and 'What if I don't make any friends?' were some of my main worries when I was moving abroad. 

I was born and raised in a small village in Fife called Auchtermuchty, home to the Proclaimers (the twins that brought you that infamous chant about walking 500 miles and then 500 more just to be the man who... you know the one!) and a place where nothing exciting ever happens! I spent the majority of my childhood running muddy-wellied across fields and through forests, and if you'd told me then what I'd have done by the time I was 22, I'd probably have laughed you right out of town!

I moved to The Big City when I was 18 to come to study at Heriot Watt University. Even though it was only an hours' drive across the Firth of Forth, it was still a big deal. I'd never lived away from home before and I was so used to being a country bumpkin that the thought of living in such a bustling and busy city liked Edinburgh really scared me!

I had chosen to study Spanish Translation, which meant that during my third year I was going to be living abroad as part of the ERASMUS programme - which, if you haven't heard of it, is an EU exchange programme which allows thousands of students from across the EU to study abroad for an academic year! 

When the time came for me to choose where I wanted to go, I decided to choose Madrid. I'd done my research, spoken to other students who'd previously gone there and realised that it was the best choice for me. The city offered me everything I needed - culture, restaurants & bars, entertainment and a buzzing nightlife, as well as quick transport routes to the university and an airport with direct flights across Europe for travelling at weekends and during holidays!

I decided that before I moved there, I should probably go across for a weekend mini-break and scope it out beforehand. So in April 2014, I went to Madrid for the first time. My emotions were flying - would I like it? Could I see myself living there? Was it going to be everything I was hoping for?

The answer to those questions? YES! The moment I stepped out of the metro station in Puerta del Sol, I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. The architecture was beautiful, the sun was shining and there was even a Mariachi band playing nearby (which I later learned are there almost every night!). During my first trip to Madrid I did all the tourist routes from the Royal Palace, along Gran Vía and down to Retiro park, as well as looking at a couple of apartments. I even visited my future university to check it out and see if I'd like it!

When September 2014 rolled around and the time had come for me to make my permanent move to Madrid, I was so excited even though I was terrified at the same time! I didn't have a place to stay, I hadn't worked out my university timetable and even worse - I was flying solo! Saying goodbye to my family and friends was really difficult, but they were so supportive and reminded me that it was only for a year! 

I remember when I walked off the plane and the 30 degree heat hit me like a brick wall. I had 2 suitcases weighing what felt like 50 tons between them, as well as a backpack with dodgy straps... and only my 2 wee hands to carry it all! I got a taxi to my hotel, and then flopped down on my bed.

For the next few days I met up with the other girls that were doing ERASMUS in Madrid with me, and we found a flat very close to the city centre and 10 minutes walk from our metro stop to uni. Our landlady was lovely and she helped us with every question we had - big or small! I sorted out my SIM card and figured out how to pay my bills. It all seemed very surreal, and I was still figuring out how I felt about it! But all I needed to do when I was worried or scared was pick up the phone and call home - and all my worries melted away!

Uni was great - I met lots of lovely people, and made lifelong friends. I learned a lot and my Spanish improved tenfold. I began to realise that I was loving living abroad, and Madrid began to become a second home to me. A few months after I'd moved there, I was speaking to my Mum on Skype, and she told me that she'd never seen me looking so healthy and happy. Since moving to Madrid I'd forgotten all about my initial worries, and I'd settled into my life there. 

I've been back from Madrid for over a year now, and I really miss the life I had there and everything about it! Thinking about my experience in Madrid just makes me want to travel more, and it's opened up my eyes to what living abroad can be like! There's really nothing like it! Madrid became a second home to me, and leaving there in June 2015 was far more difficult than it was to move there in the first place.

The experience of living in Madrid gave me so much. I learned how to adapt to a completely new culture; I made lifelong friends and improved my language skills; I became more independent and achieved something I never thought I could... And most importantly, I learned that even though it might seem like the most daunting thing ever to up-sticks and move to another country where they don't speak your language and don't have the same culture as you, it's really not the end of the world! You learn to live with the things you miss, and you learn to adapt and change to deal with your new surroundings. Your family and friends are always just a phone call away, and sometimes they'll even visit you! After a while, you forget why you were scared in the first place, and you start to wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

If you asked me if I'd ever do it again, the answer would be YES! And if you asked me if I'd recommend living abroad, I'd ask you why you've never done it before! 

So, if you've ever thought about making an international move but are worried about the implications, or if you just want to find out more about what opportunities are waiting for you, please get in touch and let me know! I specialise in working with professionals who want to gain more experience and improve their lives by making an international move, and you'd be amazed to find out just how many fantastic opportunities are available to you! The hardest part is making the first step, but with the right support behind you and the right opportunity, then you too could be heading off to start your new life abroad

Worry is only temporary, but the experiences you have and the memories you make will last forever.

 

THINK Charity

Here at Think Global Recruitment, we take corporate social responsibility very seriously.  With a vision of improving lives, we are always looking for ways to help others.

This year, we have already sponsored a number of events and last month, six, brave members of our team took part in a 135ft abseil off Murrayfield Stadium.  It was a great day and with a target of £600, they managed to raise £790.50 for the Stroke Association.  That is 132% of the original target and all for a fantastic cause!  Here's a photo of our team suited and booted in their abseil gear - hair nets included!

Over the next year (we have all split up into small teams) we are hoping to raise £2,500 for a charity called B1G1.  This is a micro-finance charity that supports people starting their own business.  It operates in many countries around the world and we have already donated enough money to provide 240 days of education support to disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe, hired a rickshaw for a month for 30 drivers in India, provided a lady in India with a sewing machine to set up a tailoring business and provided 1 life education program to a disadvantaged person in South Africa.  We will be running a number of events to raise money and more than likely take part in some silly activities (like climbing the dizzying heights of Edinburgh's rugby stadium and jumping off)...

We are really hoping to make a difference and improve some more lives this year so wish us luck!!

Our Top 10 Things to do in the Channel Islands!

As you may know, our Managing Director has been touring the globe this, so far with stops across the UK, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Germany to name but a few!  The other week, she packed her bags again and headed down to the beautiful islands of Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Islands and returned with a ton of jobs!  We thought that we would share with you, our top 10 things to do in these less-well-known accountancy hubs!

1. Explore the surrounding islands

There are a number of small islands that make up the Channel Islands.  Full of breathtaking landscapes, a mixture of British and French culture and the best seafood you'll find in the UK, the Channel Islands are the perfect destination for a spot of island hoping!  Ferries are regular between the islands and there is so much to explore.  From Herm - the island with no cars, to Jersey and Guernsey - the two most populated islands, steeped in history and vibrant bars.

2. Soak up the history of WW2 in Jersey's War Tunnels

Learn about the dark history of the German Occupation of Jersey during World War 2.  The deep tunnels have been converted into an underground collection of galleries and information about the truly horrifying events that took place in the 1940s.

http://www.jerseywartunnels.com/

3. Don your wetsuit and take to the sea! 

Test your resilience at Jersey Seasport Centre where you can choose from a range of activities such as jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, banana rides and many more!  The Channel Islands are infamous for their range of water sports.  Book your spot here: http://www.jerseyseasport.com/ 

4. Splurge at the shops!

There are many well-known high-street shops in Saint Heilier and a handful of local shops.  There are two main markets in Jersey so there really is something for everyone!  You will find souvenir and gift shops on just about every beach with lots of homemade treasure for you to take away.

5. Relax on one of the Channel Islands' many sandy beaches

Guernsey beaches are said to be the nicest within the British Isles.  Vazon Bay has won the title of 'Britain's Cleanest Beach' so is definitely worth a visit.  With warm temperatures in the summer, these beautiful landscapes are the perfect locations for building sandcastles and enjoying an ice cream! 

6. Indulge in a scrumptious meal in Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is a walled city, ideally located in the north western corner of France and has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in Europe!  Being a seaport city, the food is mostly-as expected- locally sourced seafood!  There are frequent ferries from both Jersey and Guernsey over to this fantastic city in France.

7. Come face to face with Orangutans at Durrell Wildlife Park

This zoological park is a must visit to anyone on the island of Jersey!  The park does tremendous work to protect endangered species and is an excellent day out!  The zoo is home to a gorilla, lemurs, meerkats, frogs, iguanas, snakes and many more!  Find out more here: http://www.durrell.org/wildlife-park/

8. Watch the sunset at Corbiere Lighthouse

Take in the stunning views from Jersey's most south west coast.  At certain times of the year you can experience a guided tour around the inside of the lighthouse which is iconic to Jersey's landscape.  Or, if you're not feeling brave enough to cross the causeway before the tide comes back in, there is a nearby car park which the locals say is the best place to watch the sunset and get a bag of chips!

9. Party the night away in Jersey

For quite a compact island, Jersey has a surprisingly vibrant array of nightlife,  There are plenty of local bars and nightclubs in the island's capital Saint Helier.  Big name DJ's have been known to visit the islands.  One of the most popular hang outs is said to be Chambers Bar which is known for having live music, good food and plenty of wine!  http://www.everyoneschambers.com/

10. Pray at the Little Chapel

Guernsey's Little Chapel is said to be "the smallest functioning chapel in Europe, if not the world".  It was created by Brother Deodat in 1914 and based on the Grotto and Basillica at Lourdes, the Rosary Basillica.  This beautiful chapel is decorated with seashells and small pieces of broken china.  It's so small that there is only room for around eight people, it's perfect for a photo opportunity while exploring the island!  http://www.thelittlechapel.org/

Have you heard about our Workshop?

Want to know what can go wrong in the interview process or even at the beginning when you first apply?  Here is a short video that may explain more.

By request, we already have a workshop organised in Southampton for Monday 15th June.  If you think this is of interest for Southampton or any other location (we like to go on tour), then please contact us.

Filming and editing was carried out by one of our fantastically, multi-talented consultants - Roger Edwardson, see more of his work here: redwardson.tumblr.com 

If you would like to register, please contact Emma Maloy on emaloy@thinkgr.com or 0131 260 5850

We can't wait to see you there!

The Outcome of Living and Working in Thailand

Following on from our previous post from Daniel who lived in Vienna, we've asked another one of our team to get involved and tell us about his year-long adventure living and working in Thailand!  From the locals walking their pet elephants to the enhanced career opportunities, Kevin had a fantastic time and now that he's back, he wants to encourage others to go overseas.  Talking about his experience he said:

"Gaining that information from each country on how their cultures and how their businesses work, and how people interact with each other...  It definitely grew me as a person and the experience that I gained was incredible"

See what else he had to say here:

Don't forget, you can submit your own video for the opportunity to win the prize of £1,000 (or equivalent in your currency)!

See the below post for guidelines on how to enter the competition or alternatively email Emma: emaloy@thinkgr.com for further details!

What is a move, to live and work in Vienna like?

Think Global Recruitment does Videos!

We don't know if you've heard but we are very excited to be launching a brand new website in the summer!  While the designers are working hard on pulling ideas together and doing all of the technical stuff, we have opened our first video competition!  Video is the next big thing and we'd love to share your overseas stories through this medium on our new site.  By doing this short video, you will be inspiring other accountants to improve their lives by making a move too!  So if you want to scream and shout about what a fantastic time that you've had, living and working overseas, please do enter our competition (did we mention that you'll also be in with a chance of winning £1,000?)!

Maybe you're a bit shy or don't know what to say?  We've listed questions and guidelines below and asked one of our very own international experts to record a video about his time overseas.  Here's Daniel, telling us about his time in Vienna:

How do I enter? 

Simple, just set aside ten minutes to answer the following questions (in 3 minutes or less please - we know that there is so much to say!):

1. Where did you move to and from, and what made you make this international move?
2. What are the best things about your new location?
3. How has the move assisted your career?

Then what?

• We will be using the best videos to inspire other accountants who are thinking of making an overseas move
• Once you have recorded your video (can be done on a webcam, tablet, smartphone) use Dropbox to send the compressed video to emaloy@thinkgr.com and we will send a receipt once we have received it!
• The winning video will be judged on how innovative, inspiring and informative it is

We can't wait to see your videos!

If you have any questions, feel free to email, Emma: emaloy@thinkgr.com 

*By entering this competition you are consenting to the use of your video on our soon to launch website and social media.  Normal competition rules apply.

WHO BETTER TO PROVIDE TIPS ON YOUR JOB APPLICATIONS?

Next Stop... Southampton!

Abigail Stevens, Managing Director, Think Global Recruitment, will be visiting Southampton next month to provide a free workshop to trainee and qualified Chartered Accountants on how to make the very best job applications, from CV submission to interview preparation and follow up.  Abigail has almost 20 years' experience in assisting accountants to secure new positions throughout the globe.  In our video interview (below) she provides an overview of what attendees will get from the workshop and why she is doing this.  It's all about Improving Lives!

What? - A CV and Interview Preparation Workshop

Where? - Hotel Mercure, Southampton Dolphin Centre

When? - 12th May 2015 - 6pm-8pm

Cost? - FREE to all trainee and qualified Chartered Accountants

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

Places are limited so please contact Emma Maloy at Think Global Recruitment: emaloy@thinkgr.com to reserve yours and please do spread the word! 

..............................................................................................

FAQs
The workshop will answer the following and more!

• How long should my CV be?
• Should I include experience that I have that is irrelevant to my chosen career?
• How do I make my application stand out?
• What are the differences between a face to face, video or phone interview?
• What is a competency question and how do I deliver my answers?
• What is a technical interview question?
• What do prospective employers look for at interview?
• How do I come across better and win the role over other applicants?
• What messages should I make sure I get across at interview?
• What questions should I and shouldn't I ask at interview?
• What reasons do employers typically give for rejected job applications?

And many more!  We look forward to seeing you there on the 12th!

Leah's Story: enjoying the island lifestyle of the Isle of Man

Philippines - St Kitts (2011) - Isle of Man (2014)

In 2011, Leah moved from the Philippines to the romantic, paradise island of St Kitts where she worked a 3 year contract with a Big 4 accountancy firm.  As her contract came to a close, Leah got in touch with Think Global Recruitment for a second time to further her overseas adventures.  Leah is now based in the Isle of Man, just off the coast of England, where she is thoroughly enjoying the new style of island life.  We caught up with Leah to ask her a few questions about her time overseas to hear what she had to say.

What motivated your original move overseas?

I was looking to gain international exposure and the chance for career progression, moving overseas was an experience that I had always wanted to gain.  I really enjoy training and different office cultures and moving overseas provided me with this. 

In the Philippines, the hours are crazy.  Because it is such a big work load, it was sometimes quite difficult to learn everything - it was so fast paced, you do things so quickly so that you can move onto the next task so it can be quite hard to take it all in.  Somehow, I learned to manage my time, but I still yearned for a better work-life balance.

A lot of my friends have left the Philippines and so I only really see them on Facebook!

What were your concerns with making an international move? 

I had no idea what to expect from the culture but I wanted to be adventurous.  When I first moved to St Kitts, I was the only Filipino in my firm.  While I was looking for somewhere to stay, I lived in the Marriott, I made friends with a Filipino chef - it was nice to have another Filipino there.

On the Isle of Man there is a huge Filipino community so it's really nice knowing that your fellow countrymen are there when you are so far away, it's very comforting.

How long has it taken you to settle into the Isle of Man?

I arrived about a week ago but I already feel settled, the estate agents were very quick at helping me find a flat and I'm moving on Friday!

Abigail (Managing Director - Think Global Recruitment) was kind enough to put me in contact with another girl who she has assisted in moving from the Philippines, she was supposed to meet me at the airport but sadly the weather was too bad.  We meet up regularly now and we are friends.

Did anything disappoint you about your locations?

The only disappointment that I've had so far is that my husband is not here yet! He is currently

applying for his visa so he should be here soon.

In the Philippines, there are so many shops but I hardly had enough money to buy all that I really wanted.  It was the opposite in St Kitts - I was able to save as there were very limited shops!  Most of the shopping had to be done online which is quite difficult if you are getting the wrong sizes and have to send things back.

The Isle of Man is so close to London and I will be going there for a training course in a few weeks' time so I am really looking forward to the shops!  I'm not going to eat for the next week so that I can save money!

What are the main benefits of making an international move?

The work life balance on the Isle of Man is amazing!  In the Philippines I used to feel guilty leaving my work on time, even during the not-so-busy season.  I think the longest I stayed there was three days straight, in the client.  On the Isle of Man, the latest I have to stay is 5.30pm so I have a lot of spare time now!  Though I expect that I may have to spend more time when we're really into our busy season.  My officemates here though, assure me that it will not be as crazy as what I had. 

My firm, they're really into people developing, they always set goals and follow up on them to check your progress.  They are very serious about it and it's nice to know that they are always looking out for you.

The work experience I have had has been amazing, things that I have learned have really helped me to understand my profession, the way they do things here are much different to back home.

There is also the added bonus that internet speed is much faster than the Philippines!

What are the benefits of working with Think Global Recruitment?

I worked with Abigail, the managing director, she has a way with words.  She used her knowledge and experience to coach me for my interviews.  She helped and gave loads of details about how many people were in my firm on the Isle of Man and made sure that I would be able to answer all of the questions that they asked me.

Abigail was really nice to me throughout the process, she really listened to what I wanted.  I had no idea she was the founder of Think Global Recruitment, she is very humble.

Do you have any advice for other CAs who are considering the move?

Do your research, see if there is a community there, look for people who have made the move too, they really can help you settle faster. 

Find someone to look after you and tell you all about the local area - the things you can do and the things that you cannot do (like the shops in St Kitts) you also need to know what to pack etc.,

Since speaking with Leah, her husband has arrived on the Isle of Man and they have been busy working and exploring!  It was lovely to chat to her and hear about her experiences.  Please do get in touch if you would like to contribute to our blog!

Think Global Recruitment - Improving Lives Annual Survey

"International Experience makes me a Citizen of the World"

Each year, Think Global Recruitment conducts primary research in the form of an overseas survey to analyse the experiences of each accountant that they assist in their overseas move.  This year, over 100 participants took part in the survey and the aim of this report is to present; what is motivating international moves, the best elements of international moves and further interesting comments that participants have shared.

The survey was completed anonymously but participants were asked to state where they moved from and where they moved to.  Countries included; Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, New Zealand, the UK and Channel Islands.

Why move overseas?

When asked, "what is the main factor that prompted your desire to work overseas", the vast majority of participants claimed that work experience, followed closely by lifestyle was their biggest reason for the move.

Other reasons that were given included: moving to somewhere more family friendly, experience another culture, close proximity to other countries, learn a new language and improved weather.

Interestingly, only 12.93% were motivated to make the move because of money.

"Besides the work experience, visit beautiful places and increase culture"

The response to the question, "what was the best thing about the move?" indicated that lifestyle (36.54%) and work experience (25.96%) were the two most highly rated aspects of working and living overseas.  A significant drop to 14.42% brings money in as the third most populous answer. Other answers included; "a mix of lifestyle, money, culture and change" and "a better living level".

Living and working overseas gives enhanced access to travel and the opportunity to visit countries that might normally be difficult or out of reach.  One participant said, in reference to the positive aspects of their time overseas, "ability to travel to several European countries'.  Using Europe as an example, flights are reasonably priced and most countries can be visited with a short journey.  For someone who has lived in the USA all of their life, they may not get the opportunity to explore Europe because cost and travel time can make it quite difficult.

"Quicker progression overseas means that when you return, it is a higher level than you would have achieved had you stayed in your original location"

An extraordinary 85.29% of participants agreed that working overseas helps with long-term career development.  Only 1.96% of participants claimed that working overseas may not help long-term career development.

An almost even amount of participants agreed on each of the three following statements:

• International experience is increasingly sought after in management positions (32.43%)
• International experience shows that I am adaptable to change (30.81%)
• International experience makes you a more rounded person (31.89%)

When the participants were asked if they would consider taking another role in their (new) location 75.73% said yes, 4.85% said no, 13.59% said they were unsure and finally 5.83% said other answers such as, "I would love to work in a different location to gain more working experience and experience another culture" and "I am planning to make this my permanent home.".

Following on from these statistics, the participants were asked if they believe that they made the right decision to move to their new location when they did.  A phenomenal result of 87.25% of participants claimed that they did make the right decision to move.  Only, 0.98% said that they did not, 6.86% said they were unsure and 4.9% gave other answers such as; "Could have moved here many years sooner".

Overall, it is clear that the biggest motivating factors for moving overseas are work experience and lifestyle.  This strongly reflects Think Global Recruitment's vision of Improving Lives.  Living and working overseas not only enhances world, cultural and personal experience but it is hugely recognised as a desirable feature when going through a recruitment process.  Working overseas gives massive exposure to different working environments and proves to employers that their candidates are independent and willing to go the extra mile.  It is fantastic to be able to report that so many people believe that they made the right decision in moving overseas.

Further Information:

The participants were asked if there was anything else they would like to add.  Here are just a few of the comments that were made:

"Just do it!"

"If you are given the opportunity to relocate, take it. It is rewarding and character building."

"It's always a plus to gain international experience"

"Move forward always"

"The decision to move was to gain the work experience, very happy that I did"

"Move to Australia has been very positive for the following reasons:

• Financially much better off
• Necessity to work overtime is an irregular occurrence more often than not
• If you have a strong educational background, chances are your job prospects should be superior 
• Quality of life is much better, great weather, cost of living much lower "

"It's really great to live and work here in the UK because of the working lifestyle, hospitable people and healthy environment to live in. I must say I am delighted to have worked with Think Global Recruitment during the employment process."

"Relocation definitely helped my career progression. The international experience gained is invaluable. In addition, I was able to identify best practice and applied it on my engagements subsequently. On a personal level, the work-life balance and the financial part was way above my expectations."

"It has been a great learning experience for many aspects, well recommended."

"The greatest part about working in a new place is seeing how others work, approach problems and develop solutions."

"The world is so big that you find opportunities almost everywhere, if you are really keen to make it. The important this is that you must be ready to design your life and then you can start to look after the new location. So basically, the first question is 'What do I want?', then the second one is: 'Where can I find it?' That's it."

"Cultural diversity is really a gain / enrichment in personal development."

"Think Global Recruitment are the best people in helping professionals relocate and start new careers internationally"

"It's great to have exposure to other cultures and diversity is an awesome experience" 

"It is an incredible experience. The time zones and distance to travel home were one of the downsides. But travel opportunities were in abundance, it was awesome making friends from across the globe and I certainly expanded my work experience and skills."  

From the Philippines to the UK, Ericson, CPA...

I started with my career as an auditor with one of the Big 4 audit firms in the Philippines in 2009. I have worked for more than 5 years and have progressed through the ranks from an Audit Associate to an Assistant Manager in 2014.  For the past five years, I was assigned in handling multiple engagements for different listed and non-listed clients from various industry sectors. Furthermore, I helped deliver the trainings to the local firm.

In June 2014, I started looking for opportunities abroad.  I know that I was ready to move overseas and be in the next level of my career to gain new experience. There were job openings advertised on the website and I was contacted by Michael Black, one of the international consultants of Think Global Recruitment. At first, I was asked for my top 3 locations where I want to move abroad. I asked Michael to look for job opportunities in the New Zealand, Singapore and in the UK. We have agreed on what suitable role my current profile would fit to. In July 2014, there was an opportunity with a Top Ten Firm in the UK. Then on the 13^th of August 2014, Michael called me to tell me about the good news. I was offered a job as an Audit Executive in their Birmingham office.

Think Global Recruitment was very helpful throughout the recruitment. They do not just give out your resume to the different employers but they are always with you in “every step of the way”. They are very informative and give you tips and research about your prospective employer. I also like the pre and post evaluation calls after every interviews. This helps the applicant to know what went well and what are the things that could be improved on.  Moreover, The UK is 7 hours behind the Philippines. Think Global Recruitment was really accommodating when it comes to your schedule. I am very thankful for Think Global Recruitment and Michael for helping me all the way through the process.

I am currently preparing to move in the UK by the end of the month, I am a bit scared but more of being excited to move in the UK and grow in my profession. I know that this will give me the experience that benefit me personally, professionally and financially.  I know l will make a difference. For those who want to experience a global move in their career, follow your thoughts and dreams. There are a lot of opportunities waiting for you.

Contributed by Ericson CPA

Making an International Move - What our Team Think

Are you considering an overseas move but a little uncertain? Do you want to make a move but you’re not sure where to go?

To celebrate the return of our Accountancy Worldwide Forum in South Africa, October 2014, I have started digging through our files and tracing down candidates that we have assisted in their international move to find out their thoughts on the process, the locations and what they are up to now.

While I’m doing this, I thought it would be interesting to look at the people that sit next to me every day – what are their thoughts on moving overseas? Where have they lived? What makes them interesting? And finally, what advice would they give to someone who is considering an international move?

From Austria to India, New York to Bermuda, Thailand to Australia, Germany to South Africa, our team have all lived overseas and that’s what makes us experts! Before I begin, I will give you a brief overview of the team members that I have spoken to, where they went and how long for.

Abigail Stevens, Managing Director, Sydney

While backpacking through Australia, Abigail fell in love with Sydney so she got sponsorship and decided to live and work there for three years. 

Alistair Mills, Recruitment Manager, Melbourne

Alistair was made redundant during the recession and wanted to try something new. He had a friend who traveled to Australia and loved it so it seemed like a good place to go. Alistair worked in Melbourne for 1 year.

Calum Smith, Recruitment Consultant, New York

Calum had always wanted to work in New York and got the opportunity straight after university, he had no plans at the time and thought that there was no better time than then to experience the city! Calum lived in New York for 4 months.

Daniel Scott, Recruitment Consultant, Austria & Spain

Daniel lived in Austria and Spain for 7 months each. Though it was compulsory for his university course, he fell in love with both and stayed a little bit longer. He really didn't want to return home after his time was up!

Kevin Dillon, Recruitment Consultant, Thailand & South Carolina

Kevin lived in South Carolina for 6 months due to his university course, he had always wanted to experience life in the USA and enjoyed living and working on the beach while he was there! After finishing university he said that he always wanted to travel and so he moved to Thailand to teach English and stayed there for 1 year before returning to the UK to begin his career with Think Global Recruitment.

Lara Caswell, Administrator and PA to Directors, Mozambique & South Africa

Lara decided that she was fed up of living in the UK, she wanted to encounter something new and begin an adventure. So, she moved to southern Africa where she ended up living and working in various locations for seven years!

Michael Black, Recruitment Consultant, Colorado

Michael lived in Colorado for 6 months during the skiing season, his cousin lived in Denver and so he had a connection there. He had always wanted to work and live abroad so this was his opportunity.

Roger Edwardson, Recruitment Consultant, Belgium & Austria

Roger lived in both Belgium and Austria for six months each as part of his university course. Because he was studying languages, he was really keen to get involved with this aspect of his degree, it was a chance to live in his target area and immerse himself in a different culture. 

Emma Maloy, Marketing Assistant, Germany

I lived in Germany for nearly five years in two different locations. The reason I moved was due to family commitments. I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to experience a similar, yet very different, way of life and given the chance to go back - I would take it in a heartbeat! 

The general consensus when I asked why everyone moved over seas came down to:

‘I wanted to try something new’

And why shouldn't you? One of our newest recruiters, Kevin Dillon, commented on his time in Thailand stating,

‘I wanted to travel before starting my career and especially somewhere that I didn't speak the language, I wanted to challenge myself.’

Referring back to my last blog, I stated the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and this is exactly what he did. I guess this is what we all did...

Of course if you’re moving away from home, no matter how long your stay, you will always have concerns niggling at the back of your mind. I know that my biggest concern when I moved to Germany was the fact that I was leaving all of my friends behind, not knowing if I would get the chance to see them again and knowing that I would have to make new friends and adapt to a new, very strange environment. It was truly terrifying but incredibly exciting. Here’s what some of our team members had to say about their concerns:

Alistair Mills, Melbourne –‘I went on my own so I was nervous about meeting new people and settling in. I arrived in Melbourne with just a back pack so it was a little overwhelming however I had a new place to live and a group of friends in no time. It forces you out of your comfort zone and really gets the best out of you. It’s a big decision and of course it’s a little daunting but ultimately really rewarding.’

Abigail Stevens, Sydney –‘Before going I knew nothing about Australia at all, except for what I learnt from Home and Away! I didn't realise there would be big modern cities and it would be a great place to take my career forward. I therefore only had Australia on my itinerary for a three month stop over – I ended up staying three years!’

Michael Black, Colorado –‘I was worried about the altitude (9,000 feet) and being away from the folks, but I fell in with a great group of guys and settled in very quickly.'

Calum Smith, New York –‘No concerns whatsoever – just a lot of excitement at the thought of it!’

We all have our concerns when making such a dramatic, life changing decision, we are only human after all (except maybe Calum – who didn't seem to be nervous at all). At Think Global Recruitment we go out of our way to help anyone who is worried or concerned about their move, we want them to feel safe in the fact that they are making one of the best decisions they will ever make.

Moving on to my next question for the group, did their move meet their expectations? Every single person said no. It exceeded them. It’s hard to envision what it will be like when you are literally stepping into the unknown, you know it’s going to be scary, you know it’s going to be exciting and you know that if it all goes wrong – you can come home but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, you have no idea. 

When I asked the team what disappointed them about their move, Kevin mentioned that the size of beer cans in America are considerably smaller than the UK and Alistair noted that Australian TV is rubbish. Both huge deciding factors when moving overseas! On a serious note, nothing was really disappointing. It's such a fantastic experience that the highs most definitely exceed the lows.

So what advice would our experts offer to those considering a move…

Alistair Mills, Melbourne -‘Go for it! It’s an amazing experience and something that you will look back on with great memories for years to come! From a practical sense, make sure you research the location and find a role that you will be able to do comfortably! Use a recruiter to make sure you have some help with each stage of the way and to secure you the best deal!’

Abigail Stevens, Sydney -‘Do it! It will give you amazing life experiences and friends for life. You will become a more rounded individual with increased knowledge and confidence.’

prolonged her visit) –

Calum Smith, New York – ‘Embrace it – go with a completely open mind and just take every experience in, good or bad! I would also recommend immersing yourself in the local culture wherever you go!’

Daniel Scott, Austria & Spain – ‘My one piece of advice is if you get the opportunity to travel and experience a new culture or new environment, DO IT!’

Kevin Dillon, Thailand & South Carolina – 'Buy the ticket and take the ride! Go head first into each and every situation and do things out with your comfort zone on a regular basis. Try and integrate into the local community and culture as much as you can, you’re not going to like everything but at least you can say that you tried. If there’s anything that you couldn't or wouldn't do at home that you've wanted to do then this is your opportunity!’

Lara Caswell, Mozambique & South Africa - ‘Throw yourself into it wholeheartedly, to this date it is the most exciting, rewarding thing I have ever done!’

Michael Black, Colorado – ‘Do it! It’s a great thing to do, build your confidence and experience; I wish I had made the move sooner as I did so much growing up when I was there.’

Roger Edwardson, Austria & Belgium – ‘Make sure you do research on the location and try and visit there beforehand to get a taste of the culture. Also make sure you talk to locals and don’t be afraid to ask for help.’

Everyone was so enthusiastic about living overseas that when I asked if they could open a Think Global Recruitment office in another country, would they? Everyone said yes.

Obviously our moves have given us the experience needed to be able to advise others on living overseas but how else has it enhanced our careers? I believe that it gives you edge, makes you stand out from the crowd, people are instantly interested in you because you have done something different.

Daniel Scott, Austria & Spain - 'You learn a lot about yourself and also a lot about how to handle situations and interact with people on a different level to what you would at home'

Roger Edwardson, Belgium & Austria - 'My time overseas improved my language skills and gave me a great sense of independence'.

Abigail Stevens, Sydney - 'I know about living and working overseas first hand and now help others to Improve their Lives by doing the same. I believe I gained the confidence to run my own business through the overseas move. I am used to being out with my comfort zone and meeting new people and this really helped.'

I must admit, when I initially typed the questions into an email, I expected that everyone would have vastly different answers, how could they be the same when we all traveled to opposite ends of the globe? We all returned home, not one of us wanted to come back and every single person has had the best time that they could have imagined. I would personally advise every single person to take the plunge and live in another country, experience the culture, the beauty and the excitement. Whether it’s for three months or three years, you will not regret it.

So, there’s a little bit more about our team, if you have been placed by us (or would like to be) and would love to share your story, get in touch!

By Emma Maloy, Marketing Assistant

Stop Being Comfortable

The other day I was having coffee with one of my closest friends. We talked about how we met when he first moved to Scotland a few years previous and how little English he spoke.

As ignorant as it sounds, I've never really taken into consideration how difficult that must have been for him. He was in a strange country, miles away from home, knowing no one and unable to speak the language. It sounds like a nightmare. There must have been many times he considered returning home to his safety net – where he speaks the language, knows the people and is familiar with his surroundings. He was literally miles out of his comfort zone.

As humans we are naturally trepidatious of the unknown. We are content living in our metaphorical bubbles of what we know, whether that is staying in the job we hate because we’re good at it, living in a location we’re bored of because it’s easier than moving, or eating the same dish off the menu from the same restaurant we go to every Friday because we’re worried that if we choose something else it might not measure up. Why?

Because we’re comfortable.

Going back to my friend, words probably can’t describe how uncomfortable he was when he moved to the UK. However, he persevered and I would like to add that he has now been here for five years, he’s fluent in English, he has a lovely Scottish girlfriend who he has been with for coming up to three years and he is working in his dream job.

How did he get to this point? He stepped out of his comfort zone, he made himself interesting, valuable and overall he gained confidence.

In honour of my friend, I think everyone should do something they wouldn't normally do. Ask a stranger how their day is. Take a different route home from work. Move to the other side of the world. The chances are great that you will feel better within yourself for doing so, even if the initial step is testing.

At Think Global Recruitment we specialise in placing Chartered Accountants in jobs all over the globe – maybe it’s time to look at your possibilities. Check out our vast list of locations and pack your bags, our incredibly experienced consultants work closely with candidates to ensure they have the best possible chance of getting the job offer they desire.

Working overseas is hugely beneficial to your career, it gives you confidence and experience, it makes you interesting. It will change your life.

By Emma Maloy, Marketing Assistant

This beautiful city I live in...

I have always said that I live in the best city in the UK and one of the best 2 cities to live in the world! To confirm this Edinburgh has won lots of awards. The most recent being The Top Gobal City. It is interesting that some many people considering a move to the UK always think of London first. London is a great city to visit, vibrant with so much history.. but hey that could also be a description of Edinburgh. Edinburgh then has the added bonus of stunning countryside, hills and lochs very nearby.

Not been to Edinburgh? Surf the internet to see more. Visit the numerous photography and tourism web sites. My favourite pictures are by Angus McComiskey a local photographer with amazing talent. He really captures the true beauty and vibrance of everywhere he photographs.

Guess which other city I love to live in and received the Judges Selection for Most Outstanding Global Entry... Sydney of course!

How right they are!

I believe in living where you want to work and not really letting work dictate where you live. Although I can definately see at some point in a career its worth sacrificing a period of time to live somewhere not perfect to gain the right experience.

This is why I have not got to a point in my life where I will be splitting my living between these two great cities, with the added benefit of being able to visit cities on both sides of the world on route or from the cities I am based in. I can not wait!

If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would you choose and why?