“When my initial career plan for Denmark didn’t work out, I felt quite lost,” says expat partner João Santos. “Speaking to a coach was a game changer for me. Now I have much more clarity about my future.”
Great expectations
“I arrived in Aalborg with high expectations, believing that I could continue on the same career path, which began 12 years ago in Porto and continued in Malmö,” says João, previously a Goods Flow Team leader with a multinational company. “My career had been a big part of my life, so when things didn’t work out, I found it very challenging. It was also winter, and freezing outside, so every day I sat at home, unsure of what I should do…”
A total revelation
“When I spoke to Ines Ahrens, my consultant from Global Connection, and told her how I was feeling, she suggested career coaching might be helpful. I must admit I was a bit sceptical about talking to a coach but if I could have known what I know now, I never would have hesitated! It was a complete revelation.”
Opportunity knocks
“With my coach Simone, who is amazing, I explored my lifelong interests and discussed possibilities. I was always excited for the next meeting and every time it gave me a huge boost,” says João. “In a way it wasn’t about ‘work’ but about me – what do I want to do? What are my core values? From talking to Simone, I also started to see my situation as an opportunity. Suddenly I had much more self belief that I could rebuild my life with no feelings of guilt.”
Identifying a goal
When friends had previously said: ‘Oh lucky you – now you can reinvent yourself’, to be honest it sounded so fluffy. I didn’t know where to start or what was really possible. But speaking with a coach like Simone, I was able to narrow down the parameters and identify a clear goal, something that I really wanted to do, and something that is achievable…”
Phase two begins
“So I now have an action plan that will help me achieve my goal of developing a more portable career. That means when my partner Tiago is relocated, no matter where we go in the world, I will be able to continue on my new career path without disruption. Having made that decision, I already feel much better about everything now, and much more motivated for every aspect of life.”
Photo: João Santos
All Global Connection’s corporate clients are leading multinationals. Due to some of their policies, we no longer use their name in public articles. However, expat partners signed in to our private Media & Network can see the multinational’s name.
