Form Realistic Career Expectations
Mark's expectations for his career were naive and he could have formed my realistic hopes by doing research into the issue as well as looking at the situation at his company. Research suggests that one of the most devastating experiences of the repatriate is being placed in a "holding pattern" on return from the foreign assignment (Murray, 1978). Yet, Mark thought that his situation would be only temporary and that he would soon be back on track for a senior management position in Singapore. He had not factored in the business conditions back home or that fact that few new openings ever materialize there. He also knew from his earlier rejection for a job he had applied for in Singapore, that the best person doesn't necessarily get the job in the world of corporate politics in a large organization. At the very least, many executives experience disillusionment due to other executives, who did not take foreign assignments, being promoted above them (Henry and Lusch, 1982). Perhaps, in Mark's case, he just didn't want to face the obvious; a senior executive position at his company would not be available for some time, if ever.
Linda mistakenly believed that she would be able to easily resume her banking career once she returned to Singapore. Yet, the reality was that there were few banking jobs in Singapore and reentering the job market was going to be very challenging. She should have done her homework so that she understood the job market and so that she would know how challenging...
He then didn't understand how hard going back could be after being away from Singapore for so long. and, both he and his wife didn't do basic career due diligence in understanding opportunities that would be available to them once they returned.
Bibliography
Adler, N.J. (2002). International dimensions of organizational behaviour (4th ed.). South-Western College Publishing.
Andreas Weber's reward for success in an international assignment. http://www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415396882/resources/3.2.pdf
Harvey, M. & R. Lusch (1982, December). Executive Stress Associated with Expatriation and Repatriation Proceedings. Academy of International Business.
Longatan, N. (2009, March 25). Re-entry shock and the expatriate experience. http://workabroadtravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/reentry_shock_and_the_expatriate_experience
Murray, J.A. (1973), International personnel repatriation: cultural shock in reverse. MSU Business Topics, Vol. 21 No.3, pp.59-66.
Stroh, K.L., Gregersen H.B. & Black, J.S. (1998). Closing the gap: Expectations vs. reality among repatriates. Journal of World Business, 33, 111-124
Tung, R.L. (1988). Career issues in international assignments. Academy of Management Executive, Vol. 1, No. 1,241-244.
