Making the move abroad a partnership

The term "trailing spouse" is an unflattering one, evoking an image of a flustered wife juggling a flurry of children, pets and suitcases, in the wake of a dynamic husband and his exciting new career overseas.

But that image is changing. Even the term itself is being replaced by "accompanying partner"; a much more complimentary phrase, acknowledging that the wife is a major contributor to the success of the move and the assignment.

Surveys have shown that a major reason for foreign assignment failure is spousal and familial discontent. As the majority of today's families are dual career, many global organisations are having to become more proactive in their support, and are realising that self-employment and "portable careers" offer a flexible and practical solution.

Posh spouse: Victoria Beckham, seen arriving in LA with her husband David last year.

The main obstacles faced by the "accompanying partner" are:

• lack of work permit

• language issues

• cultural issues

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• lack of jobs available

• incompatible certification/training

• lack of transferable skills.

In recent years, the dual career issue has been the main motivator for raising the profile and demand for improved spousal support. Some organisations are already pro-active, offering things such as:

• language training

• career counselling

• finance for retraining

• financing for travel to international conferences and other events

• membership of professional support and networking groups

• connection with peer networks like women's organisations and expatriate clubs

• pre-assignment training for families

• meeting families pre-departure

• researching local opportunities for working spouses.

Multinational organisations are also making increasing use of independent providers such as Guildford-based A Brave New World (ABNW), which provides a fresh approach to the career development of expatriate spouses, offering individualised career coaching by coaches with extensive expatriate experience.

Katie Slater, joint director of ABNW, said: "We have developed a programme that fully complements the unique needs of expatriate women, and use a combination of unique coaching tools to help our expatriate clients."

One of the tools ABNW often uses is ICCS (Intelligent Career Card Sorts) a highly interactive, visual and thought- provoking exercise which helps identify the key areas that are important to the individual, in terms not only of their career but their personal and life needs. The method allows the client to assess subjectively what they want to get out of their career and explore the options.

ABNW client Margaret had accompanied her husband for 10 years on expatriate assignments. On several postings she obtained a work permit and taught at international schools; when she could not secure a work permit, she did voluntary work. On her return to the UK she knew she wanted a change of career, but was lacking in confidence and self belief, and so decided to embark on a career coaching programme with ABNW.

Through one-to-one coaching sessions Margaret explored her motivators, values, strengths and skills, which gave her a true picture of what she really wanted do, and the opportunities available to her.

The programme encouraged Margaret to explore her key skills and strengths, develop a number of possible careers which she wanted to pursue, research opportunities and develop a list of network of contacts that could help with her job search.

She decided that she wanted to pursue a role in HR, and secured a job with a large multinational organisation as a counsellor for incoming expatriates, advising them on housing, schooling, medical and cultural issues.

Margaret said: "I never thought I would ever do anything different. I was like a lost child, not knowing where to look. I can't believe that I am now doing something I want to do and enjoy. The career coaching really boosted my self-belief and confidence."

Jo Parfitt, a mobile career specialist and author of A Career In Your Suitcase, is a firm believer in career coaching. "Once you have someone to keep you on track and to whom you can ask questions and be answerable, you have the best chance of success.

"They can network for you, find connections, help with your CV, interview skills and your confidence," says Jo.

When organisations are pro-active, employing a forward-thinking attitude and service providers such as A Brave New World it translates into a "win-win situation".

The "accompanying partner" gains clarity and focus in their career options, self-confidence and self-awareness, the ability to create a realistic future career plan, and skills and knowledge on CV presentation, interview techniques and networking. The organisation gains a happily established employee family, a highly motivated employee - and a successfully completed assignment.