The Smart Expat

It’s been a long process and a labour of love, but Louise Wiles and I finally wrapped up the Career Choice and the Accompanying Partner Survey Results earlier this summer and have begun to publicise them today.  We’re thrilled that the survey has already been nominated for an EMMA award (in the Thought Leadership category) by the Forum for Expatriate Management.  We’re feeling rather honoured to be mentioned on the same list as some of the heavyweights of the relocation industry!

Thank you to those of you who submitted responses.  A total of 312 accompanying partners located in 59 countries responded and gave us some great data to work with.  Here’s what you told us:

• While 78% of accompanying partners would like to work while on their current assignment, only 44% do.
• Unavailability of work permits inhibit many accompanying partners from working, but it’s by no means the only reason seeking employment while on assignment is difficult or impossible.
• Theoretical availability of work permits doesn’t mean its practical to get one.
• Other practical factors, such as language mastery, are more frequently cited as impediments than the lack of a legal right to work.
• Working accompanying partners report higher levels of fulfilment than non-working accompanying partners.

We think that the survey results can be used by organisations to help create a roadmap for more effective support of accompanying partners in the future.  It can be used by accompanying partners to help them understand what coming and also to help them identify and prepare for some of the issues they might confront.

If you’d like to see more details, Louise and I have made a summary of the results available on our new website http://www.accompanyingpartner.com  If you’ve got any thoughts on the survey or the results, please share them in the comments.

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