Glossary of Terms
Area Orientation
A practical visit throughout the new community accompanied by a trained counselor. Designed to introduce clients and their families to the community in which they will be living. It will familiarize them with their new community and provide an effective method for gaining an understanding of the physical and cultural environment of their host city. Services include an introduction into local resources necessary to fulfill daily living and working needs. Area orientations take place as soon as possible after the family arrives in the host location to establish residence.
Area Preview (Look See)
An introduction to the Area Orientation, services are designed to provide potential transferees and their families with a preliminary overview of the host city. The area preview serves as a support in the decision making process and is often done prior to the employee's acceptance of the position.
Check-ins
On-going contact with the client (transferee) to monitor service provided.
Client
Spouse / Partner (in Dual Career) or Transferee / Relocating Employee (in Destination Services) receiving relocation assistance.
Continuing Education Services
These services focus on a variety of educational choices for the spouse / partner of the client (transferee) by scheduling meetings with appropriate contacts at educational institutions and providing assistance through the enrollment process.
Corporate Client
Company initiating the referral.
Corporate Relocation
The process of moving an employee and his / her family to a different location within an organization. Relocation can be domestic (within a country) or global / international (from one country to another).
Cross-Cultural Training
These services focus on familiarizing the transferee and his / her family with the culture of their host country in comparison to the home culture, including basic issues such as communication, customs, traditions and social taboos. For the employee, training can also deal with doing business in the new culture. Services can be arranged either pre-departure, in the host country or both. Over all scope is to allow for quicker, more effective integration of the employee and his / her family into the local culture with as little "cultural shock" effect as possible. These culture specific services are normally presented in a seminar format but are tailored to the needs of the individual families.
Departure
Designed to expedite the employee's departure from the host country. Services include assistance with lease(s) termination, facilitating claims and / or repairs, disconnecting the utilities services, and getting deposit monies back for the company. Assistance with government documentation requirements and other departure arrangements will assure an efficient transition to the next assignment.
Destination Services
These services focus on easing the transition of the relocated employee and family and can include welcome packets, pre-move home search, area orientation, settling-in, temporary housing assistance, and departure services.
Dual Career
A couple with two careers. Relocation can significantly impact the career of a spouse / partner of a transferee, making dual career issues central to many relocation decisions.
Dual Career Job Search Assistance
Assisting the spouse or partner of the transferee by providing job search assistance, such as resumé development, job market information and contacts, effective job search strategies and on-going support.
Employee Relocation
See Corporate Relocation
Evaluation Form
Following the conclusion of services, clients (transferees and spouse / partner clients) are asked to complete an evaluation of the services received.
Executive Relocation Services
Relocation services with an emphasis on the unique needs of an executive.
Expatriate / Expat
An individual leaving her / his home country to relocate to another country.
Final Report (Dual Career)
Form to be filled out by the service provider upon completion of services to the client. It will include client's new employment information and must be submitted with the final invoice.
Follow-up
Services provided via email or telephone calls following the initial conclusion of their service (usually 4 to 6 weeks) to ensure that the transition is progressing well and to answer any questions that have surfaced.
Furniture Rental
Assistance with rental of furnishings for home.
Global Relocation
The process of moving an employee and his / her family from one country to another within an organization.
Goods Removal Management
Coordination with moving and storage companies for the removal of household goods. Services can include overseeing the removal process.
Home Search
After conducting an individualized needs assessment, appropriate residential properties are short listed for the employee to screen for consideration. Appointments with established, reputable real estate agents and landlords are arranged and co-coordinated to meet the needs and time constraints of the employee. Consultants may accompany clients during property viewing, to provide thorough familiarization with the local property market, the current real estate conditions and to provide an experienced expatriate point of view. The combined effort results in an efficient home finding effort, meeting the needs of the family while staying within company approved budgets. Once the property is selected, if necessary, assistance is provided with utilities.
Housing Price Survey
A current, comparative cost summary of different properties and property types in the destination city or area.
IDC
See Service Provider
Initial Packet (Dual Career)
Materials mailed to client after Intake conversation, including Job Search Assistance Manual, welcome letter and Service Provider / Advisor bio (if available).
Intake
Initial discussion with the client (transferee and / or spouse / partner) where available services are outlined and the professional background (Dual Career only) and specific needs of the client are defined.
International Relocation
See Global Relocation
Job Relocation
See Corporate Relocation
Job Search Services
The wide range of services offered by Options Resource Careers to help spouse / partner clients become re-employed as quickly as possible. Services are provided by experienced, knowledgeable job search advisors, preparing the client for a targeted, productive job search.
Mortgage Assistance
Assisting the employee in securing financing for the purchase of the home.
Partner Jobs
See Dual Career
Pre-Departure Briefing
Provides essential information on the practical aspects of living in a new location. Normally provided to the employee and his / her family in their current home city. For example, if someone is considering moving from San Francisco to Singapore, the pre-departure briefing would be provided to the family in San Francisco by a trained consultant with recent real life experience living in Singapore.
Red Flag
Any client issue that sparks concern, identified by Options Resource Careers staff or the service provider. Both service provider and Options Resource Careers manager will develop an action plan and closely monitor activities to ensure client satisfaction.
Referral
Service Order or Authorization from Corporate Client providing specific information regarding a relocating employee, spouse / partner, and family eligible to receive relocation assistance. Service parameters are specified, including length and type.
Referral Form (for Destination Services)
Completed by referring corporate client to provide (Advisor) information about the client (transferee), spouse / partner, and family (where applicable), including dates of departure, arrival, contact numbers and addresses, details relating to particular needs, and the length and type of service to be provided.
Referral Report (for Dual Career)
Form to be completed by the service provider to verify contact with the client and start of service. This will be submitted with the completed Service Options Form and first invoice to Options Resource Careers manager.
Relocation Management
The process of orchestrating a relocation from beginning to end. Options Resource Careers is a Relocation Management company offering a full range of services to oversee relocations.
Relocation Services
All of the services provided by Options Resource Careers to help ease the stress of relocation including Dual Career Job Search Assistance and Destination Services Worldwide.
Repatriation
These services support the employee and his / her dependents in reintegrating as quickly, smoothly and painlessly as possible into their home culture / country while allowing the employee to adapt and utilize the business and interpersonal skills developed while abroad.
School Counseling
Guidance to families as to which facilities would be available and would most likely meet the educational requirements and needs of their children. Includes arrangement of appointments to visit the selected schools as well as assistance with getting and completing the proper paperwork for the families to begin the application process, etc.
Service Options Form (Dual Career)
A tool for the Advisor to use to review available services and then for the client and service provider together to select and prioritize desired service elements to design an individualized service plan.
Service Provider / IDC (Destination Services)
Consultant hired (or contracted) and trained by Options Resource Careers to provide services to clients (transferees).
Service Provider / Job Search Advisor (Dual Career)
Consultant contracted and trained by Options Resource Careers to provide job search assistance services as outlined in the Options Resource Careers’ Programs.
Short-Term Assignments
Customized services for transferees on shorter assignments whose needs differ from those in permanent residence.
Spouse / Partner Career Assistance
See Job Search Services
Temporary Accommodations
Short-term housing normally either in a service apartment or hotel, prior to the permanent housing becoming available for occupancy.
Third Party
Relocation Services company which handles a variety of relocation issues for companies (with no or limited in-house relocation department) and may make referrals for service (either Destination Services or Dual Career).
Translation
Interpreting written communication such as forms, applications and contracts.
Utilities
Assistance with arrangements for utilities hookups and deposits.
Welcome Packet (Destination Services)
An extensive collection of screened and selected published materials, specific to the destination city / area. This kit forms a foundation for expanding the employee's understanding of the host location and culture.
Major Source: The International Relocation Associates (TIRA)
