Question

What characteristics are present in the most promising candidates for international assignments? What tools are effective at identifying such candidates? Why is it also important to include family members when assessing candidates for international assignments?

Answer 1

Answer: The most promising candidates share the following characteristics: managerial competence, appropriate training, and adaptability to new situations. Because of the risk of expatriate failure, firms often devote considerable resources to selection and training. Firms use personality tests and interviews as part of its selection process. Firms may also use psychologists to help assess prospects and learn about family considerations. Self-assessment checklists help candidates probe their motivations for seeking a foreign transfer. The primary cause of expatriate failure is the inability of the managers and/or their spouses and families to adjust to the new locale, so it's important for firms to include family members in the selection process.