Taking control over your future in this region is vital

On the one hand, market forces can be seen to conspire against the job seeker, presenting untold challenges to the career minded individual. Examples include market sector contractions, a shift in investment priorities creating industry voids and often, a softening in packages being offered.

Yet, the interesting thing is that markets have a tendency to correct themselves and within this region there is quite remarkable resilience. That said, career opportunities are somewhat like sitting on a pendulum, waiting to jump off at the right point in its swing. As the arm sweeps its arc, where it rests is often a matter of good fortune or perhaps a nice measure of serendipity.

Sector differences often manifest themselves as disparate packages being offered for similarly ranked positions. For example, it is quite often the case and the norm, to see senior executives within the food industry enjoy significant benefits over their engineering counterparts. These differences can be as high as 40%.

Sadly, we have also seen many positions seriously de-valued, often the result of well intended but poor hiring practice. Companies have often replaced their talent with cut-price alternatives in the belief that they are getting the same, but at a lower price. Ever heard the old salesman's adage 'low price - pay twice'?

Intra-country rivalry has also played its part in creating regional talent voids and, of concern, within burgeoning sectors such as construction and finance. The skills and talent deficit is of particular concern because many major projects, often funded through syndication to meet start-up or expansion plans require a new level of competence within their management teams.

Provenance of key staff is becoming more prominent in the investment and decision making process.

There is a regional shortage of top-end financial talent, especially at Chief Financial Officer level, a combination of legacy - displacement borne through the need to trim costs - and a limited supply of talent within the region.

Market forces have a rather interesting knock-on effect throughout the whole of the hiring and deployment chain. Market down turns can often place companies in fire fighting mode. Unfortunately, when companies reduce their headcount or replace staff with lower cost alternatives, they often create an unhealthy business platform.

A major problem with displacing staff is that they are forced to return home and leave the region altogether. Many home bases such as the UK are going through some remarkable changes with first class package offerings for middle to senior management positions up for grabs.

Once they have packed family and chattels on to the next flight out and into a new home turf with better offerings, it's incredibly difficult to attract them back to the region.

It's a fair point to say that markets will yield some excellent career opportunities in the short to medium term. If this is the case, then today's expat manager needs to work some way to mitigating the effect of change on his or her career.

Careers are relatively fluid and a good career position is one that enables the individual to grow professionally and develop personally within a stimulating environment. Of high importance, they should be paid according to their market value.

So you need to take better control over your future, and it is a good idea to look at a few of the datum points that should be monitored; personal growth, professional development, stimulation and remuneration. The moment you feel that things are beginning to slip, take a look at what is happening within the company and changes in the market.

Is there a shift in hiring policy? Are cost cutting measures being implemented? Are there any significant changes in the operating structure that may have an impact on your role?

These early warning signs are important to you. By keeping abreast of what is happening around you, occasionally checking your fit within the business and possible areas of uncertainty, it should enable you to take a calm and structured look at issues, before they become critical problems.

Planning and preparation is the key to negating and managing nasty surprises and by working around difficulties, there is a better chance that you will still be around to catch the market upswing.