Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to the Marshall Islands to work or start a business is nothing like a classic expatriation to a major metropolis. You arrive in an archipelago of five islands and 29 atolls, in the heart of the Pacific between Hawaii and Australia, where the sea is everywhere, society is matrilineal, the Protestant religion is omnipresent, and community ties are extremely tight. In this environment, a strong CV isn’t enough: without a network, opportunities remain scarce and hard to access.
Good to know:
For an expat, building an effective network requires a deep understanding of the local culture and the use of global tools like LinkedIn. It is crucial to embed yourself in local communities, especially in Majuro and the other atolls. This approach is a medium- to long-term strategy that can turn an isolated assignment into a career springboard in the Pacific region.
Understanding the Terrain: Culture, Hierarchy, and Network Logic
Before talking about business cards or connection requests, you need to understand how information and opportunities flow in Marshallese society. Here, everything starts with community.
Society is organized into clans, the Bwij, in a matrilineal system where land—the heart of wealth and status—is passed down through the maternal line. Traditional chiefs (Iroij), clan heads (Alap), and workers (Rijerbal) still structure social life. In this context, personal relationships take precedence over written contracts, and a network is built not just with “professionals” but with families, churches, associations, and clubs.
Tip:
To network effectively, it’s essential to embrace key values such as respect for elders, solidarity, patience (jebōj), shared responsibility (menono), and humility (mijak, the “teachable” spirit). Given the highly collective culture, emphasize “we” over “I,” especially when describing professional achievements. In job interviews, it’s recommended to highlight team projects, community contributions, and support received from family or the village.
This cultural framework has a direct impact on networking: important decisions are rarely made alone, and often only after consulting with elders, community leaders, and even pastors. Negotiations are slow, direct confrontation is avoided, and refusals are phrased indirectly. A polite “yes” can mean “maybe,” silence can signal agreement, hesitation, or simple respect. Reading non-verbal cues becomes a real professional skill.
Adopting the Right Communication Style to Build Trust
In a country where storytelling (bwebwenato) comes more naturally than answering closed-ended questions, the way you make contact can be the difference between a promising relationship and an invisible wall.
Marshallese people prefer indirect, gentle communication, where putting someone on the spot is avoided. Saying “no” outright is rare. Pauses in conversation are frequent and appreciated as time to think. A steady but not intense gaze is preferred over prolonged eye contact, which can be seen as aggressive. In some Pacific contexts, staring is indeed considered rude.
Caution:
For an expat, it’s crucial to slow down and invest time in informal, sincere conversations (family, origins, community life, celebrations like kemem). These exchanges build the first layer of trust needed before moving on to professional topics.
In meetings, active listening is fundamental. Interrupting, especially an elder or a supervisor, is very poorly received. Critical feedback should be delivered tactfully, emphasizing collaboration and a shared search for solutions. Remembering that in the Marshall Islands, the stability of the relationship often matters more than the immediate efficiency of the project helps adjust your stance.
Social Life, Business Life: How Relationships Intertwine
In Majuro, social life and professional life are constantly intertwined. The capital concentrates most government offices, businesses, and institutions (College of the Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands Community College, Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Islands Visitors Authority, etc.), but also informal meeting spots.
Expatriates and local professionals cross paths at a few key hubs: restaurants like Tide Table or Marshall Islands Resort (MIR), bars like Sunset Bar, clubs or nightlife spots, and also on nearby islets like Eneko or Enemanit during weekend outings. These spaces often serve as “informal coworking spaces,” given the lack of dedicated facilities.
Example:
In a territory with low crime despite some alcohol-related issues, mobility and meeting people are easy. The expat community, though limited in number, is primarily active in specific sectors: health, education, development, or the environment through international programs; as well as pilots, tuna fishing crew, or specialized entrepreneurs, particularly in the offshore sector.
So this is nothing like an anonymous job market: here, everyone quickly knows everyone, and your reputation—positive or negative—spreads fast. Keeping your commitments, arriving on time (even if “island time” tolerates a 10- to 15-minute delay), respecting codes of politeness, and thanking people after a meeting are all little details that, taken together, build or destroy trust.
Using LinkedIn Smartly in a Country Without a “Big Market”
Even though the Marshall Islands are far from major economic hubs, they are not immune to the global shift toward remote work. Globally, LinkedIn boasts over 690 million users, and every minute, three people are hired through the platform. It’s also estimated that about 85% of jobs are found through networking. Even in a small country, ignoring this tool would be a strategic mistake.
For an expat already there or planning to go, LinkedIn serves as a business card, an opportunity radar, and a gateway to regional networks (Micronesia, Guam, Hawai‘i, Australia, etc.). There are many features to leverage.
Optimizing Your Profile for the Region and Remote Work
The first step is to anchor your profile in the local reality while positioning yourself in the global market. The profile location only allows one postal code, but nothing prevents you from mentioning the Marshall Islands—and more specifically Majuro—in your summary, work experiences, or job titles. You can also indicate other target geographies in the description (“based in the Marshall Islands, open to collaborations in the Pacific and remote work”).
14
A professional photo on an optimized profile increases views by a factor of 14.
It’s also recommended to use a custom URL, carefully select your skills, and gather recommendations and endorsements, especially from managers or colleagues. In a fragmented market, these proofs of reliability are as valuable as a degree.
A simple comparison helps gauge the effects of a few basic optimizations.
| LinkedIn Profile Element | Estimated Impact on Visibility (Global) |
|---|---|
| Professional photo | 14x more profile views |
| Certifications listed | 6x more views compared to a profile without |
| Clear, results-oriented headline | + higher likelihood of appearing at the top of relevant searches |
| Location and geographic keywords | Better ranking in local and regional searches |
| Recommendations and endorsements | Improved internal profile “SEO” and perceived credibility |
For expats who work or aim for remote positions, it’s useful to add skills explicitly related to this mode: asynchronous communication, remote project management, distributed team facilitation. Many companies—like Slack, Zoom, HubSpot, Automattic, or GitLab—recruit 100% online talent, and the global transition to remote work has created an unprecedented worldwide talent market.
Using Search, Groups, and Events
LinkedIn allows targeting contacts by keywords and location. Even though the pool of profiles directly based in the Marshall Islands is limited, it’s worth searching for people connected to the country: employees of organizations active in the archipelago, members of the diaspora, consultants who have worked there, and so on. You can also use the “People You May Know” feature and save searches to build a steady stream of new contacts.
Targeted Groups and Communities
Specialized online communities are strategic relays to connect your Marshall Islands anchor to a broader professional market.
Remote Work & Digital Nomadism
Target groups focused on remote work and digital nomadism to highlight your geographic flexibility.
Specialized Sectors
Engage in communities for specific sectors like tech, cybersecurity, or sustainable development.
Regional LinkedIn Communities
Use regional tech groups or communities of Pacific professionals as relays to expand your network.
Finally, LinkedIn events and professional newsletters allow you to maintain a regular presence, even without being on the ground. For an expat in the Marshall Islands, this is a way to compensate for the relative isolation of the country by staying connected to the major global conversations in your field.
Anchoring Your Network in the Local Reality: Chambers of Commerce, Clubs, and Associations
While LinkedIn is the backbone of a global network, local credibility comes from integration into local structures. In the Marshall Islands, certain players play a central role for professionals.
The Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce, based in Majuro, is one of these pillars. It’s a non-political NGO that brings together about 40 businesses employing some 1,800 Marshallese, who in turn support nearly 9,700 people. It serves as a voice for the private sector, organizes forums with ministers or infrastructure officials (energy, water, public works), and helps develop and disseminate economic policy documents. It also welcomes volunteers and accepts donations, which can be a good entry point for a newcomer eager to contribute.
Getting involved—whether by attending meetings, participating in working groups, or offering expertise—lets you meet a concentrated cross-section of major economic players in a short time. It’s also a way to understand government priorities, infrastructure challenges (dependence on imports, logistical constraints, strict environmental requirements), and spot niche opportunities.
Clubs and associations round out this picture. The Mieco Beach Yacht Club, founded in 2004, brings together boaters and sailing enthusiasts and runs a daily radio net (Yokwe Net). The Marshalls Billfish Club has been organizing sport fishing tournaments almost every month in Majuro since 1983. Local colleges and universities, through their student associations and clubs, also create many opportunities for cross-generational exchange.
A simple table helps visualize some key places or structures to target upon arrival.
| Structure / Place | Primary Role for Networking |
|---|---|
| Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce | Formal hub for the private sector, interface with government, access to local entrepreneurs |
| Boating and fishing clubs (Mieco Beach Yacht Club, Marshalls Billfish Club) | Cross-cutting networks (business, travelers, residents), informal meetings with decision-makers |
| Colleges and universities (CMI, MICC…) | Networks of young talent, faculty, community and tech projects |
| Restaurants / hotels (Tide Table, MIR, Sunset Bar, etc.) | Informal “coworking,” business meetings, expat presence |
| Local NGOs and churches | Community anchoring, trust-building, access to social leaders |
Leveraging a Booming Tech Ecosystem
One might think the archipelago is far from major digital trends, but the reality is more nuanced. An emerging and collaborative tech scene is taking shape, with a proliferation of meetups, conferences, and innovation programs.
500
The 2022 edition of the Marshall Islands Tech Innovators Meetup brought together more than 500 participants, 28 exhibiting startups, and 72 pitch submissions.
The Marshall Islands Tech Association plays a structuring role. According to an internal survey, 92% of its members expanded their professional circle through the association, 68% attribute part of their success to their involvement, and active members have a 37% higher chance of reaching leadership positions. The association organizes monthly meetups, a major annual conference, specialized workshops, and mentorship programs.
Figures from the local tech community illustrate how these events have become career accelerators.
| Indicator (Marshall Islands Tech Scene) | Reported Value |
|---|---|
| Active tech meetup groups in the country | > 15, doubled in 3 years |
| Share of tech pros who consider meetups & conferences “crucial” | > 60% |
| Increase in Marshallese participation at major tech events (2022) | +25% |
| Members of the Marshall Islands Tech Meetup Group | > 800 |
| Members who expanded their network through this meetup | 92% |
| Members who found a job through this channel | 38% |
| Community college tech students who formed lasting ties | 92% |
| Tech mentees who saw an increase in “meaningful” connections after mentorship | +72% |
For an expat in the digital field, participating in these events is almost essential, if only because they concentrate in a few days what would otherwise be difficult to build over months of isolated meetings. Preparing an “elevator pitch,” arriving early, targeting a few speakers to meet, and volunteering at hackathons are all ways to become visible quickly.
Beyond personal benefit, contributing—for example, by leading a workshop, co-authoring a local blog post, or mentoring students—also strengthens your legitimacy and shows you’re there to build something with the community, not just to “consume” opportunities.
Community Engagement Advice
Tapping into Diaspora and Regional Networks
One of the sometimes underestimated assets of the Marshall Islands is the size of its diaspora, particularly in the United States (Arkansas, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands). The Compact of Free Association allows Marshallese to live and work in the U.S. without a visa, which has fostered significant migration flows. In return, remittances account for over 12% of the national GDP.
Tip:
For an expat, Marshallese communities established outside Majuro (like in Little Rock or Honolulu) are valuable relays. Organized as NGOs, such as the Marshallese Education Initiative, or as associations, they facilitate links to larger hubs. Understanding how they operate, especially during major celebrations like Constitution Day commemorations in Springfield, can open doors for developing transnational projects, finding partners, or identifying mentors comfortable in both cultural worlds.
On another scale, regional organizations like the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC) or Micronesian business networks create bridges between island economies and larger markets. Getting listed, participating in forums or trade missions is a good way to increase the density of your network without leaving the archipelago.
Managing Legal and Operational Specificities Without Damaging the Relationship
The Marshall Islands have strong legal particularities, especially regarding land ownership. Foreigners cannot own land; they can only lease the use of it, which requires entering into negotiations with families, traditional chiefs, and sometimes public authorities. These discussions are long, intertwine customary and modern law, and rarely take place on a purely contractual level.
Good to know:
In this context, a project’s success depends on the support of a local ally (lawyer, partner, “cultural liaison”). A well-chosen Marshallese partner is essential to identify the right interlocutors, organize meetings, negotiate concessions, and present the project in a way that it is seen as beneficial to the community, not as extracting external value.
Sectors subject to strong environmental constraints—coastline, lagoon, reefs—are also particularly sensitive. Climate change is an existential issue for the archipelago; any infrastructure project is scrutinized, sometimes contested. Again, the key lies not only in regulatory compliance but in the ability to build trust-based relationships with NGOs, traditional authorities, and local communities.
Networking Through Service: Volunteering, Mentoring, Collective Projects
One of the most effective ways to integrate is to truly get involved in projects of general interest. Concrete examples show how this works.
Example:
The Marshall Islands Ministry of Health, supported by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Pacific Islands Health Officers Association, organized a massive tuberculosis screening and treatment campaign on Majuro Atoll. The project mobilized volunteers (clinicians, nurses, lab and radiology technicians, epidemiologists) whose transportation, accommodation, and per diem were covered, in exchange for at least three weeks of intensive unpaid work. Teams combined international experts, local staff, NGOs, and multilateral agencies.
For a health professional, participating in such an operation is clearly a humanitarian commitment, but it’s also a powerful networking lever. Working side by side for weeks creates lasting bonds that go far beyond what a few business lunches can produce.
85
Percentage of participants who felt mentoring was decisive in their success, according to the Marshall Islands Skills Development Program.
In this type of engagement, a few principles help build solid relationships: clarify expectations from the start, stay consistent in exchanges, listen as much as you speak, acknowledge your own limitations, and explicitly thank those who give you their time or advice. It is precisely this consistency between words and actions that, according to many studies on business trust, distinguishes lasting partnerships from superficial collaborations.
Using “General” Social Networks for the First Step
Alongside LinkedIn, Facebook groups play an important role in social and professional life. In the Marshall Islands, they often serve as informal job boards, mutual aid platforms, and event organization spaces. Even before arriving, it’s worthwhile to join expat groups, post an introductory message, briefly explain your project (multi-year assignment, local job search, remote work from Majuro), and mention what you’d like to learn about (housing, schools, administrative procedures, promising sectors).
Tip:
This approach lets you gather information and set the stage for initial informal meetings, say over coffee or a snorkeling outing. It’s advisable to systematically convert these first exchanges into LinkedIn connections to gradually consolidate and expand your professional network.
More “lifestyle” apps like Bumble BFF can also help you meet people outside your immediate professional circle. In a small society, it’s not uncommon for your beach neighbor to also be a policy maker, a business owner, or a community leader; compartmentalizing “pro” and “personal” too strictly doesn’t make much sense.
Navigating Taboos and Daily Codes to Avoid Losing Face
Networking isn’t just about events and platforms; it also plays out in everyday micro-gestures that can open or close doors.
In the Marshall Islands, certain practices are highly codified. When entering a home, you remove your shoes. When everyone is sitting on mats, you avoid stepping over people’s legs and you go around; doing otherwise is deeply offensive. You ask where to sit, as some spots are reserved, associated with the head, status, or symbolic meanings. You don’t touch children’s heads, you don’t click your tongue, and you don’t joke by banging violently on a door.
Caution:
In interactions, it’s frowned upon to display negative facial expressions like pronounced frowning or to turn your back on a speaker. Offers of food and drink should be accepted with at least a taste, or declined with great tact. It’s advisable to avoid sensitive topics such as domestic violence or certain aspects of death. Public displays of affection between men and women are to be avoided, unlike signs of friendship like women holding hands, which are accepted.
Respecting these codes has a very pragmatic dimension: by avoiding awkwardness, you put your interlocutors at ease and show that you take their culture seriously. It’s often this kind of detail, more than mastery of macroeconomic concepts, that determines the depth of the relationships you can build.
Building a Sustainable Networking Routine
Beyond the discovery phase, the key is to turn networking effort into a habit. Given the limited size of the ecosystem, the goal isn’t to accumulate contacts, but to cultivate a small constellation of truly active relationships.
Tip:
Adopt a pragmatic approach by establishing a few weekly rituals: publish relevant content (e.g., three times a week), engage thoughtfully with other professionals’ posts, send a limited number of personalized connection requests to truly relevant contacts (5 to 7 per week), and regularly participate in events from one or two key organizations like a chamber of commerce, a tech association, or a sector-specific club.
Over a six-month period, this consistency eventually produces tangible results. Studies on remote work and professional networks show that it’s not the raw number of contacts that matters, but the density of meaningful connections—people who can recommend you, involve you in projects, or introduce you to other circles.
Keeping a simple tracking table—even on a spreadsheet—of people you’ve met, events attended, dates of last contact, and potential collaboration leads can help structure this effort. In an environment where interactions are often informal, this little extra method helps keep the momentum from fading.
Thinking of Your Network as a Bridge, Not an Island
Developing a professional network in the Marshall Islands doesn’t mean cutting yourself off from the rest of the world; quite the opposite. The value of this network lies precisely in its ability to serve as a bridge: a bridge between the local and the global, between island communities and metropolises, between traditional sectors (fishing, agriculture, tourism) and emerging industries (tech, cybersecurity, renewable energy).
Good to know:
To turn an overseas assignment into a shared story, it’s essential to integrate digital tools (LinkedIn, mentoring platforms, videoconferencing) and local structures (chambers, universities, associations) with patience and consistency, all while respecting Marshallese culture and being transparent about your intentions.
In an archipelago where a proverb reminds us that “the canoe moves forward when everyone paddles together,” the network is not a collection of business cards but a shared capacity to advance collective projects. For the expat who embraces this game, the Marshall Islands then offer far more than an exotic line on a CV: a living laboratory of what a truly international and relational career can look like on a human scale.
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
