Expatriates recruitment and selection for long-term international assignments

Abstract

The increase of long-term international assignments requires more attention for the preparation of these foreign assignments, especially on the recruitment and selection process of expatriates. This article explores how the recruitment and selection process of expatriates is developed in Portuguese companies, examining the main criteria on recruitment and selection of expatriates’ decision to send international assignments. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 42 expatriates from nine Portuguese companies. The findings show that the most important criteria are: (1) trust, (2) years in service, (3) previous technical and language competences, (4) organisational knowledge and, (5) availability. Based on the findings, the article discusses in detail the main theoretical and managerial implications. Suggestions for further research are also presented.