The Pros and Cons of Working for an International Company

Interested in working for an international company but worried that it might not be the right fit for you? I recently interviewed an employee of an international company and put together this list of pros and cons for you to consider when you are deciding whether or not to apply to work for an international company. 

Pro: Growth and Job Opportunities

Working for an international company allows you the opportunity to grow and have access to job positions that might not exist at a domestic company. These opportunities can vary from assisting with translation needs during a conference call at your home office to traveling to an out-of-the country office and assisting with any company needs there. 

Pro: Travel

Do you love to travel? If you’ve ever thought about wanting to pick up and move to another country but weren’t ready to make such a drastic commitment, working for an international company might just be the answer. 

By working for an international company, you have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world. Working for an international company doesn’t necessarily mean you have to move to a new country. Instead, you could travel for business trips to the international and domestic offices your company has.

Pro: Experiencing Other Cultures

Lastly, working for an international company provides you with the opportunity to work with other cultures and gain diversity in your workplace. By working with an international company, you will be able to experience firsthand different styles of working in other cultures and might even adopt some new styles of work yourself. 

Con: Time Zones

While there are many advantages to working for an international company, there can still be some disadvantages as well. For example, one downside that many people don’t consider is time zones. 

While most people in America only experience up to a 3-hour time difference across the states, the difference between London and New York, for example, is 5 hours. This means you might have to prepare your work duties for the day in a timely manner for your out of country co-workers. Additionally, you may have to be available for conference calls and business meetings at all hours of the night. 

Con: Cultural Differences

While having diversity in the workplace can be an advantage, it can also be a hindrance because of the vastly different work styles. For example, there could be job conflicts based on the way the office in Australia handles a project versus how an office in Charlotte handles the same task. This is something that can be challenging at times but should not be a deal-breaker when considering a job opportunity with an international company. 

At the end of the day, my interviewee loves his job and enjoys the advantages and challenges of working for an international company. “Working for my company has allowed me to make connects with multiple clients in different states and countries from the comfort of my office in Charlotte. While at first, it was a different atmosphere to adjust to, it didn’t take me long to settle in and learn to deal with time changes, different work styles, and diversity.”

At SeiferFlatow, we are the best source for legal help for international businesses. Whether you are starting a new company or need help with business litigation, we are here for you. Contact us today at 704-512-0606.