If you want to work abroad, show you have the dedication and drive to manage in different countries and cultures.

Global assignments not only open a door to new professional and cultural experiences — they also have the potential to elevate your project career.Nearly 6 in 10 organizations use global assignments to develop senior leaders,according to a 2014 survey by PwC.

Whether you’re pining after a global project in your existingorganization or looking externally for an international opportunity, thesethree steps will help you put the first stamp in your project passport.

1. Don’t wait for an invitation.
Managers aren’t mind readers. So the first step toward landing a global assignment is to express your interest. Find opportunities during check-ins and performance reviews to let HR, as well as program and project leaders, know about your desire to work abroad.

“Explain how your interests align with the company’s prospects,” says Andre Choma, PMP, PMI-RMP, engineering manager at Capital Realty, Curitiba,Brazil. “Then ask: ‘What would it take for me get a global assignment, whatskills do you need to see?’ There may not be an opportunity right at that time,but this will help you become top of mind when one comes up.”

2. Develop a global network.
The right professional connections can help you learn how to land — andlead — an international assignment. For instance, an experienced globalassignments leader can help you understand how project management maturity candiffer from one region to the next. If you show you’re a quick study, he or shewill be more likely to recommend you for a global project in the future.

If your organization doesn’t offer international assignments, joingroups or participate in discussions on LinkedIn to connect with practitionerswho can point you toward global opportunities.

“I learned a lot from global project managers,” says Renato Varella,operations manager, BP, Houston, Texas, USA and a former IT infrastructureproject manager at Shell. “These are folks who are well-versed on the company’sproject management framework, that know processes and how the interface toother teams works. So just by paying close attention, you will learn a lot.”

3. Start small.
Attach yourself to an existing global project by contributing remotelyas a liaison. It can help you build the relevant experience — and positiverecommendations —managers will look for when they’re staffing the next globalproject.

Offer to research local government regulations or tax issues for anexisting international initiative. Do whatever it takes to get involved inglobal project meetings and obtain first-hand knowledge of what’s happening onthe ground, Mr. Varella says.

“You will gain experience and get exposed to the wider organization, sowhen the time comes to take on the global role, you will have necessaryexperience dealing with global teams,” he says.

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DexNova Consulting
Dexnova Consulting Limited is the first and only Nigerian Company to be registered as a Project Management consultant by Project Management Institute (PMI), a global professional body for project management. PMI Registered Consultants are project management consultants and experts who operate in nearly every corner of the world across several industries. With our expertise and professionalism, we have trained hundreds of people in project management over the years and recorded a high success rate in passing the PMP professional exams. Why not learn from the professionals!

We will train and equip you to pass the PMP® exams and other professional certification exams on your first attempt and gain valuable skills which will build your career ad international relevance.

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