Hit your stride fast with these tips after a job stint abroad

In this series, manpower correspondent Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career.

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Q Is overseas experience really valued by employers in Singapore? What can you do if it puts you at a disadvantage?

A Broadly speaking, overseas experience matters for roles that require working with teams or clients beyond Singapore’s shores, says Ms Neha Thakkar, chief innovation officer at MyMoveAbroad, a consultancy for expatriation issues.

These issues include coordinating across countries, navigating different regulatory environments or shaping commercial strategies for diverse markets, adds Ms Thakkar, who has worked in more than 10 countries.

The extent to which overseas exposure is valued depends on the specifics of one’s role and industry.

"For leadership tracks, regional strategy roles, global business development and any role that demands cultural dexterity, overseas experience can shift from ‘nice to have’ to ‘expected’," said Ms Thakkar.

Returning home after a stint overseas is not without risk.

But this can be mitigated.

“Without a deliberate plan, professionals may return to roles that don’t reflect the growth they gained overseas,” says Ms Thakkar.