Workplace Culture Abroad: Things Africans Get Wrong in Their First Job
From email tone to speaking up in meetings, workplace culture abroad can be very different. What surprised you in your first job abroad, and what advice would you give a newcomer?
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Tokunbo Central’s answer: experienced professionals abroad often mention these adjustments.
- Speak up in meetings: staying quiet out of respect can be read as having nothing to say. Share ideas, even briefly.
- Ask questions: asking for clarification is seen as competence, not weakness.
- Self-promotion is expected: keep a record of your wins and mention them in reviews.
- Email tone: short, polite and direct. Very formal language can sound distant.
- Boundaries: many workplaces respect working hours. Agree response times instead of replying at midnight.
- Feedback culture: criticism is usually about the work, not you.
- Know your rights: learn your contract, leave, overtime rules and how to raise concerns.
Your turn: what is one workplace rule you wish someone had told you on day one?
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