I got laid off a few years ago. Was working in sales, and hated it.

I had an interest in shipping and international trade. Had no background in that field, and no relevant qualifications (dropped out of university).

I went down to the port in my home city, walked into many doors, and handed in my resume. I was willing to do anything. One private grain export terminal which had recently opened was looking for workers, and offered me a job - a labourer position. Working for an hourly wage, doing low skilled stuff like maintaining hygiene (cleaning), unloading trucks, monitoring machinery etc. Spent most of my time shovelling rotten grain.

The company had a testing stand where the grain was tested for quality - I leant that. They were bringing online a container packing facility - I learnt how that worked and put together the operating and safety procedure for that. Fairly quickly I was put in charge of operations for the container packing and grain testing operations. I improved the speed and efficiency of both processes. I got to know the clients, firstly the truck drivers, then the traders, as I was on the phone to them quite often to given them updates or discuss any problems.

Then the company brought me onto the management staff in the logistics team. I was doing the logistics regarding booking containers and chartering ships. I met a few shipping agents, and told them I would love to work overseas one day.

One day I met the MD of one of the shipping agencies, and he told me of a position they had open in Indonesia. I applied and was not successful - biggest problem was lack of experience.

Continued at my job and after a year and a half got promoted twice to become Logistics Manager. Kept the guy from the shipping agency updated with what I was doing and that I was still interested in his company. We were by this time a fairly substantial client of theirs - we appointed them regularly.

My GM was aware of all of this, and encouraged me to do everything I could for an overseas posting.

One day I was on holiday in Phuket, and I got a phone call from the MD of the shipping agency - they had an opening for a position in Bangkok - was I interested? I booked a flight and went across to Bangkok for an interview.

2 days later I was offered the role. 2 months later I was on a plane to Bangkok to start my new job. Now I am the General Manager of the company's Thailand operation with more than 100 staff and 10 million US dollars p/a in revenue.

The whole process took about 5 years.