Third Culture Professionals

Start of a new school and academic year. Some of the obstacles that students and professionals are faced with in the current job market.

Uncertainty in the job market: Career management at the forefront No two careers or people are the same. That’s why I believe in a personal approach. As a Business English Instructor and Career Consultant I help students and professionals uncover their unique strengths and turn them into opportunities for growth. My approach combines practical Business English t...

Happy Holiday Season

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Six tips and key takeaways on how to use ChatGPT for Cover Letters Third Culture Professionals provides tailor-made training and coaching in career development, soft skills, expatriation, cultural adaptability and Business English communication.

Career Advice Overload on Social Networks

Infobesity was a word I learned during my Masters in Learning Design. It’s simply “information overload”. During my Masters, I encountered it many times! I had to stay focused and find the right tools and resources to provide me with the relevant information and data to make informed decisions.

As a job seeker, when you scroll through masses of information on social media for advice on a particular subject, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of Information and advice that is available 24X7 from multiple channels and multiple sources.

This quest for online and immediate information can blur decision making and cause confusion. I see it all the time on the networks!

Examples:
How does an ATS Work?
How to design your CV?
Which Keywords?
The list is long…

As humans we can only integrate a certain amount of information and after a moment, to counteract that we relay on information that is closer to home i.e., our connections or an influencer.

My advice to job seekers is to carefully research the quality, experience and source of the information and advice.
Don't be impressed by branding! Do your research first!

Copyright © 2023 Third Culture Professionals. Photo: Pexels

4 Key Soft Skills for Effective Intercultural Communication

Working for many years in a multi-cultural environment, 4 key soft skills that I put on top of the list for effective Intercultural Communication are: self-awareness, empathy, active listening and relationship building.
© 2023 Third Culture Professionals

Preparing for an interview? 2 important questions to consider.

Tell me about yourself
How would you describe yourself?

The importance of politeness

I train a lot on the importance of soft skills such as the importance of being polite. A skill which you need all the time whether in a professional or personal context and especially in a multi-cultural context.

The definition from Cambridge Dictionary
“behaving in a way that is socially correct and shows understanding of and care for other people's feelings”:

In the business world, politeness is more than just good manners—it's a strategic asset. Here's why being polite is essential for success:

1. Building Trust: Politeness fosters trust. Clients and partners are more likely to trust and work with professionals who treat them with respect. Trust is the foundation of lasting business relationships.

2. Effective Communication: Politeness promotes clear communication. When people feel respected, they're more likely to listen, share ideas, and collaborate effectively. This reduces misunderstandings and boosts productivity.

3. Team Harmony: Politeness contributes to a positive work environment. When colleagues treat each other with courtesy, it enhances teamwork and boosts morale. A harmonious team is a more productive one.

4. Brand Image: Your company's reputation is shaped by how your employees interact with others. Politeness reflects well on your brand, attracting clients and customers who appreciate professionalism.

5. Conflict Resolution: Politeness equips you to resolve conflicts without damaging relationships. This skill is vital for preserving partnerships and avoiding costly disputes.

6. Global Reach: In a globalized business world, politeness transcends cultural differences. It's a universal language of respect that makes international business smoother and more successful.
In conclusion, politeness isn't just a nicety—it's a necessity for businesses aiming for success. By emphasizing politeness in your interactions, you can build trust, enhance communication, and create a positive business environment.

Photo: Pexels

Une petite pause en Haute-Savoie, France

En vacances en tant que patron ou auto-entrepreneur, quelques étapes et conseils à suivre pour bien réussir vos vacances.

-Restez en contact avec votre équipe, mais donnez-lui de l'autonomie
-S'entraîner à faire de petites pauses chaque jour
-Mettre en place les bonnes personnes et délégue
-Comprendre les capacités de votre équipe
-Considérez vos congés comme un "real holiday".

Job seekers and entrepreneurs: don’t let lack of immediate results discourage you.

There are times as a job seeker or an entrepreneur where you don’t see any results to your hard work. We all want immediate results, but there are many outside factors that we cannot control. When you start feeling downhearted due to no results and want to pack it all in, this is a red flag which you should counteract by getting inspiration and coaching elsewhere. The inspiration and coaching can come from several directions: friends, family, a though leader, a coach. The importance is to listen to your red flag alert and seek advice and encouragement straight away.

With the right kind of coaching and determination you can accomplish anything." Reese Witherspoon
Copyright © 2023 www.thirdcultureprofessionals.com
Photo: Pexels: Leeloo Thefirst

Are you looking for English speaking professsionals in France?

I am currently in contact with non-French speaking professionals living in France. Most of them have already a basic level in French as they are following intensive classes and are fully motivated to learn French. They are all experienced professionals coming from different industries and functions. The one thing they have all in common is their desire and motivation to find a job. However, it feels like an impossible quest to find a job in France if you don’t speak French. Sure, you can find a job as a nanny, bartender, or seasonal worker, but these are professionals who want to continue in their domain of expertise.

I know that it is already difficult for qualified French candidates to find work. It can be a long and stressful period, but without having a good level in French, it seems a mission impossible for others. Like French candidates, these candidates are trying hard to find a job. They explore every option available: full-time, temporary contracts and many are even open to changing careers where their soft skills are transferable.

Most, never get a reply to their application and when they do it is “no” reply. The few who have had a first call with the recruiter have been astonished. They applied to a job advertisement in English which fitted their expertise and asked for an advanced level in English and didn’t mention the need to speak French. During this first (and last) telephone interview, they found out that the recruiter doesn’t speak English and the interview ends as quickly as it starts.

This mismatch causes frustration and wastes opportunities.
If I am reaching out to you, it is not to complain but to address the problem and try to put in place something that can help these professionals to find a job that fits their experience and aspirations. If you have needs or know another company who recruits professionals living in France who are actively learning French, please send me a DM and join my network.

When you have a position that does not require “full proficiency in French” and requires an international profile and expertise, please contact me. I will happily try to match your needs with professionals in my network. I am doing this as a favour for these candidates, there is no financial transaction involved. I just want to help them find a job.

Photo: Pexels - Andrea Piacquadi

Communication skills: The power of observation and listening

Have you ever left a meeting or social event and felt that you’d talked too much! That no one else had the opportunity to give their opinion or you can’t remember their opinion!

Sometimes, talking too much is because of an over dimensioned ego, other times, it’s because you are in a situation where you’re feeling uncomfortable or anxious and you want to fill the void! This often happens when you are communicating in a second language, and you want to be “heard”.

When you feel that surge to fill the empty space, take time to observe others, let them talk, listen.
Listening to others is a key skill. Observing and understanding others’ emotions by their non-verbal cues is another. By applying this, you may see or sense things that others haven’t noticed.
We learn a lot from listening and observing even if we don’t share the same viewpoint at the start!