Building Your Career as an Expat: Leverage Your Multicultural Identity and Work

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Magali Toussaint, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

As someone who has lived and worked across multiple countries—from France to the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and now La Réunion—my own career journey has been shaped by the diverse cultures and experiences I’ve encountered along the way. I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with being an expat and embracing a multicultural identity.

Through Multies.org, I help people like you—whether you’re an expat, multipotentialite, or multicultural professional—transform your unique background into a career advantage. It’s not just about surviving in a globalized world; it’s about thriving in it. Your multicultural identity and diverse experiences are powerful tools that can help you build a meaningful and successful career, and with the right support, you can harness them to their full potential.

1. Embrace Your Multicultural Identity: Your Competitive Edge
Living in various cultures has taught me that the world is more interconnected than ever, and this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. As an expat or multicultural professional, you have a set of skills—adaptability, cultural intelligence, and flexibility—that are invaluable in today’s global job market. These aren’t just soft skills; they are the foundation of a successful career in a world that thrives on diversity.

Why Your Multicultural Identity Is a Strength:

Cultural Intelligence: You know how to communicate and collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds, a skill that’s essential in any international team.
Flexibility: You’ve learned to adapt to new environments, which makes you resilient and capable of handling challenges with a positive mindset.
Global Perspective: Your life experiences allow you to approach problems and solutions with a unique viewpoint, giving you a creative edge.
How Multies.org Can Help
At Multies.org, we understand how powerful your multicultural background is. I’ve personally experienced the growth that comes with embracing change and diversity, and I’m here to help you turn your multicultural experiences into a career advantage. By working with you one-on-one, I help you identify your core strengths and use them to shape your career path.

2. Build a Personal Brand That Reflects Your Global Experience
When I first started my career, I struggled to define myself within a traditional career mold. As a multipassionate professional with diverse interests, I realized that I couldn’t fit into just one category. Instead, I embraced the many facets of my career journey. I’ve learned that it’s not about narrowing down your options; it’s about integrating your diverse experiences into a brand that reflects who you truly are.

How to Build Your Personal Brand:

Tell Your Story: Your story is unique and valuable. Share how your multicultural experiences have shaped your career journey. Whether you’ve worked in different countries or collaborated with international teams, these experiences are your strength.
Highlight Your Key Skills: Showcase your ability to work across cultures, your adaptability, and your problem-solving skills—these are all essential qualities in today’s job market.
Focus on What You Value: As a multicultural professional, your values—such as inclusivity, creativity, and global collaboration—should be reflected in your personal brand.
How Multies.org Can Help
At Multies.org, we help you craft a personal brand that integrates your multicultural background into your career narrative. Together, we’ll build a brand that highlights your strengths and unique experiences, helping you attract the right opportunities and clients.

3. Leverage Your Global Network
Having lived and worked across multiple countries, I’ve built a network that spans the globe. Networking as an expat is different—you’re not just connecting with people in one place, but with professionals from all over the world. By leveraging your multicultural network, you can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship that you wouldn’t have access to otherwise.

How to Build and Leverage Your Network:

Join Expat Communities: Many cities have thriving expat communities where you can meet like-minded professionals, share job leads, and learn from one another.
Engage on LinkedIn: Be sure to showcase your international experience on LinkedIn and engage with professionals from different parts of the world.
Seek Mentorship: Find mentors who have experience navigating multicultural work environments and who can offer advice as you continue your career journey.
How Multies.org Can Help
At Multies.org, I provide coaching that helps you expand and leverage your global network. Together, we’ll identify key people to connect with and develop a strategy for making meaningful connections that can advance your career.

4. Customize Your Resume and Job Search Strategy for Global Employers
When I first moved to different countries for work, I had to learn how to adapt my resume and job search strategy to meet the expectations of local employers. Each country and culture has different norms, and understanding those is key to standing out in the job market.

Tips for Adapting Your Resume and Job Search:

Highlight International Experience: Whether it’s working abroad, leading cross-cultural teams, or managing international projects, be sure to feature these experiences on your resume.
Showcase Transferable Skills: Focus on skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability that are valued across borders.
Research Local Job Markets: Each country has its own job market dynamics. Understanding the local trends and the skills in demand will help you target the right job opportunities.
How Multies.org Can Help
At Multies.org, I help you tailor your resume and job search strategy for global employers. Through personalized coaching, I guide you on how to present your multicultural background effectively, ensuring you stand out to employers worldwide.

5. Overcome the Challenges of Working Abroad
As an expat, I’ve faced many of the same challenges you might be dealing with now. From language barriers to navigating workplace cultural differences, these challenges can be tough. However, I’ve learned that they are also opportunities to grow and expand your professional toolkit.

How to Overcome Common Expat Challenges:

Language Skills: Improve your language proficiency by taking classes or practicing with colleagues. It’s a key step in integrating into your new environment.
Workplace Culture Differences: Take time to learn about the workplace norms in your host country. Understanding these can make all the difference in your career success.
Legal and Visa Issues: Make sure you understand the legal requirements for working in your host country. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.
How Multies.org Can Help
I’ve been through these challenges myself, and I’m here to guide you. At Multies.org, we tackle these obstacles together. From cultural adaptation to visa advice, I provide coaching that helps you navigate the complexities of working abroad and turn challenges into growth opportunities.

6. Work with a Coach to Accelerate Your Career
If you’re looking to accelerate your career, work with a coach who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of being an expat or multicultural professional. At Multies.org, we offer coaching programs specifically designed for people like you—those who are navigating complex career paths and embracing diverse identities.

How a Coach Can Help You:

Strength-Based Career Evaluation: I’ll help you identify your unique strengths through the Strengthscope® Assessment, and show you how to apply them in your career.
Define Your Career Vision: Together, we’ll create a clear, actionable career vision that aligns with your multicultural identity.
Create a Personalized Career Plan: With a coach, you’ll develop a roadmap to achieve your professional goals, no matter where your journey takes you.
Take the Next Step
Ready to design a career that feels true to you? Start with a Strength-Based Career Evaluation to explore your strengths and create a clear roadmap for your future.

Discover Your Strengths: Find out what really drives you with the Strengthscope® Assessment.
Define Your Vision: Set meaningful goals for the career and life you want to create.
Take Action: Build a personalized plan and start taking steps toward your dream career today.
Take the Quiz: Ready to discover your strengths? Head to the Work with Us page on multies.org.

Your career doesn’t need to fit a mold. Let’s create something that’s uniquely you.

Warmly,
Magali Toussaint
Certified Career & Leadership Coach | Advocate for Expat and Multicultural Professionals at multies.org