Get Ahead by Going Abroad: A Woman's Guide to Fast-track Career Success

by C. Perry Yeatman, Stacie Nevadomski Berdan

As companies expand their international operations, smart women who are prepared to pursue opportunities overseas can dramatically accelerate their careers, enjoying high-profile projects, bigger promotions, and impressive financial rewards. Get Ahead by Going Abroad is the go-to resource that reveals how women, single or married, can leverage this trend to showcase their skills and move up quickly on their own terms. Written by two women who did so with huge success, the book is packed with candid, instructive anecdotes and examples from their own and others' experiences, and step-by-step guidance for securing and succeeding in an international position. Yeatman and Berdan show how women at every level can benefit from an overseas young professionals seeking to break out from the pack, mid-career women interested in new challenges with increased responsibility, or senior executives in pursuit of positions in executive management. Get Ahead by Going Abroad helps you get further, faster—and have fun along the way. It gives you the strategies to land the assignment, thrive in the job, and enjoy the lifestyle abroad.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Ebb]

I really enjoyed the book and the stories given by the six women the book focused on. The only disappointment I had with the book was the lack of variety in the careers of the women. All but one of the women in the book were businesswomen. It would have been interesting to have heard from women in different fields like science, technology, and the arts. I studied abroad in Thailand and England as an undergrad so I was very interested in learning how women obtained positions in foreign countries like these. It's a goal I've had for a long time but with a History degree I could not relate to the women's professional business strategies to getting abroad but I did enjoy their stories and advice on living as an expat. I only wish that the careers represented in the book had been more diverse.

[Tamara Spell]

This book is specifically written to women who are climbing the corporate ladder. Of the examples given, one woman is a journalist, but the rest are executives or aspiring executives. That's a great career path, but it's certainly not the only 'successful' career path that women can take. For example, I lived in Abu Dhabi and worked there as a veterinarian, and large portions of this book were not relevant to me at all. Nor was it completely applicable to the many women I met there working as: physicians, nurses, engineers, or teachers/professors. I wish there would have been more variety in terms of the women who were interviewed.
On the positive side, there are plenty of checklists that are helpful to anyone moving abroad, and there are some good stories.

[Kourtney]

I think this book had helpful advice, but since it's about 10 years out of date, and most of the women's experiences were in the 90's, it's not as helpful as it would have been when it first came out. It still had some good advice, but it would probably be better to find a more updated book.

[Cynthia Yeatman]

A fun, fast and really helpful read. A decade old now but still packed with insightful and practical information for all those considering international careers.

[Stephanie]

I really enjoyed this! I wish there was a "And here's a job for you!" coupon at the back of the book, ugh. There were lots of inspirational stories in here about women who made their international dreams come true -- that said, I began to feel like a failure when some women were VP or something ridiculous at 27 in Asia! Like ummm, I'm just trying to get *A* job abroad, and I'm already in my '30s.

That said, there weren't too many solid resources offered for readers, like websites or other books or organizations to check out. The bottom line they emphasized was "Network," which is true, but when most of your connections are tenuous anyway (like me), I'm not sure how helpful this book was.

However, it *is* keeping my dream alive, so that's a definite positive. I would love to learn about similar books.

[Highjump]

it is marketed as an advice book for young professionals but is really more of a memoir/victory lap for the profiled women. It really lacked the current information about emerging markets and negotiating tactics I was looking for.

[Lauren]

Pretty timely for where I am (or want to be) in my career at the moment. A decent guide, although more geared towards the private-sector than I may be - I'm definitely in the right mindset right now.

[Kate Welsh]

Encouraging and inspiring short stories from women who have traveled abroad, usually later in their careers, to women interested in traveling abroad. Gives so much to look forward to:-)

[Nura Yusof]

A happy coincidence finding this book. Especially liked the chapter when the ladies recounted the various cultural/language gaffes they experienced during their stays overseas. LOL.