1. Benefit from professional development

Many professionals will find that the training and work experience they gain at an overseas company – even if it is an affiliate to their present employer – will expand their horizons and range of expertise. Very useful for long-term career development.

2. Improve your communication skills

Regardless of your career path, employers look for candidates who are able to communicate clearly. Investing the time to live abroad will give you the opportunity to perfect your communication skills. You will broaden your interpersonal and communication spectrum so you can be properly understood by an international audience of colleagues and clients.

3. Gain insights into another culture

Once you understand the nuances behind a culture, you begin to understand its significance to the people who come from there. You may read or hear about another country, but learning to interact successfully is key. Comprehension can also expose you to foreign books, films, art and music you would otherwise have missed out on.

4. Be a self-starter

Moving abroad and finding work clearly demonstrates motivation, initiative, independence, maturity and adaptability. These attributes are undoubtedly extremely valuable to employers. Hiring managers will see that you are not afraid to get out of your comfort zone and face fresh challenges. This is exactly what the best companies are looking for.

5. Get a global mind-set

International firms want employees who can think on a global scale. Going abroad will open your mind to how people from other countries perceive the world. You will be able to carry out and market professional services from a completely different perspective. Hiring managers see people who have travelled to different countries as open-minded and capable of thinking ‘outside the box’.

6. Develop a global network of contacts

The world is increasingly interconnected, and many of us experience this on a daily basis through social networking online. Working abroad gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people in your field on an international level so even when you decide to move back to your home country, you can continue to nurture these relationships from afar whilst you all advance up the career ladder.

7. Earn a higher salary

Even excluding tax factors, professionals overseas tend to be paid more than their counterparts back home. An extra allowance is provided to help with relocating and settling in to a new country and this often includes items such as accommodation, work permits, medical cover and other perks.

8. Enjoy travel opportunities

A bonus of working abroad is that you have an opportunity to travel further afield. For example, if you are working in the Cayman Islands, it’s possible to travel easily to the United States, South America and other islands in the Caribbean. These experiences broaden your horizons yet further.

9. Experience personal growth

Not to be under-estimated. As a result of living abroad, you will grow as a person. This is because the perspectives and values that you have inherited from your homeland will be upgraded for a more holistic perspective that encompasses different viewpoints.

Living abroad is challenging as it pushes you beyond your comfort zone both physically and mentally. However, it is also be very rewarding as you begin to overcome these challenges, realise you can achieve more and experience profound personal development.

10. Improve your future prospects

The competitive job market, exacerbated by the last global downturn, has made employers very selective. In today’s job market, companies prefer hiring candidates who possess a wide range of skills and extensive work experience. Experience of working abroad attracts employers as it showcases your capability to adapt and perform.

Your future is what you make of it now.

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See also: Earn a Better Salary in Tax-free Bermuda, BVI & Cayman Islands

If you are a lawyer or chartered accountant and interested in working in the Bermuda/Caribbean region, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site also includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.

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