Global professionals on the move report

Copyright © Hydrogen Group plc. All rights reserved
Global
professionals
on the move
#GPMREPORT

Now in its sixth year the report finds that global
mobility continues to rise.The report explores the
challenges that this poses for both companies and
professionals.
For companies – it is designed to help generate
understanding around what motivates global
professionals.
For candidates – it provides valuable insights from
both the research and case studies as to what to
consider when they approach their first or next
international opportunity.
Summary
countries
worked in
E S
106
countries
worked in
235
million
working
overseas

Sourcing the right talent:
overcoming the skills gap
Demand for talent remains high with
global skills gaps not just isolated
to emerging markets. Whilst 90% of
those who are or have worked abroad
would consider relocating again,
within specific sectors there are some
real challenges on the horizon.
0 1
Alwayswantedtoworkabroad
30+years
21-30years
11-20years
6-10years
3-5years
1-2years
1%
2%
12%
15%
22%
12% 12%
24%
48%
The percentage of
companies globally
that are hiring skilled
professionals
Figures courtesy of Towers Watson
At what stage of your career
did you start thinking
about relocating?

19%
17%
16%
14%
11%
Professionals motivated
most by career enhancement
When asked about motivations
to relocate, interesting enough,
both those currently abroad and
those who had worked abroad
ranked them in the same order.
0 2
Career prospects
Earning potential
New experiences
Personal
development
Quality of life
Top motivations for working abroad

Overcoming
relocation barriers
Reflecting the fact
professionals are relocating
to a wider geography, visas/
work permits and language
were among the top barriers to
relocating overseas. ‘Family,
friends and relationships’
scored as the biggest reason
professionals returned home.
0 3
Reasons for returning home
Professionals wanting to work abroad in the future
Professionals that are currently working abroad
10% Language barrier
12% Language barrier
14% Job opportunities
15% No perceived barrier
16% Visa / work permit
15% Relocation package
18% Job opportunities
22% Better job
opportunities at home
26% Secondment ended
34% Family
reasons
Top barriers to finding a job abroad

Once again, our survey found that
most people would be willing to
go anywhere in the world so long
as the opportunity was right.
Lifestyle dominates
international destinations
0 4
Job prospects
Lifestyle
Culture
Top barriers to finding a job abroadTop attractions to working abroad
Top 10 relocation countries
0 1 U S A --
0 2 A U S T R A L I A 03
0 3 U K 02
0 4 S I N G A P O R E 07
0 5 C A N A D A --
--
- - S W I T Z E R L A N D 04
- - U A E 09
0 8 I T A L Y NEW
0 9 S P A I N 10
1 0 G E R MA N Y 06
Position Country Change
from
2014

London tops city destinations
Top 10 most desirable relocation cities
London New York Sydney Dubai
Melbourne Perth BerlinAbu Dhabi
Singapore
San Francisco
0 1 0 4
0 7 0 8 0 9 1 0
0 5
0 6
0 2 0 3
10%
4%
3%
3%
6%
5%
3%
3%
2% 2%
0 5

93%
Professionals stay
longer overseas
In this year’s report we found
that professionals were staying
abroad for longer. The number of
respondents who had relocated for
6-10+ years was up 7% on last year.
0 6
Respondents with
international work experience
that said it allowed them
to expand their networks
How long do they stay?
Those currently abroad
11%
25%
30%
34%
<1yr
1-4yrs
5-9yrs
>10yrs

30%
2 years +
The short-term
contract challenge
Whilst 67% of respondents would
consider taking a contract overseas,
the main sticking point against
short-term contracts was a lack of
employment security and stability.
Length of contract professionals
would move for
0 7
Length of
assignment
Stability
and security
Relocating
family
43%
29%
28%
Top three reasons why people
do not to take a contract role

UK 01
USA 02
France 03
Germany 04
Swit’land 05
Australia 06
Spain 07
Singapore 08
Italy 09
China 10
Student
mobility
proﬁle
97%
Top motivations for
students to work abroad
International experience
is important for career
development
58%Personal
development
Career prospects
New
experiences
Top destinations
for students
Biggest barrier
for students:
FAMILY/FRIENDS
The future of
professional mobility
For the first time, this edition
of the report separated
responses from students to
understand better their views
on international experience.
0 8

Headhunting
on the rise
This year’s survey shows
that 26% of those currently
working overseas were
head-hunted, up 6% on
last year. One reason
that headhunters and
recruiters remain popular
is the level of insight and
understanding they can
provide to both candidates
and companies.
0 9
37%
25%
14% 12% 9%
3%
Headhunted /
recruitment
consultancy
Employer
directly
Advertisement
Friend /
colleague
Other
Social
networks
How professionals found
their job abroad

Click here to download
the full report...

Twitter: @hydrogengroup
Google+: +hydrogengroup
LinkedIn: hydrogen group
Website: www.hydrogengroup.com
Research by: Hydrogen Group and ESCP Europe
Designed and produced by: Hydrogen Group
Additional imagery courtesy of www.shutterstock.com
Hydrogen is a global recruiter solving the talent shortages of some of the world’s
leading organisations. We make it our business to understand our clients and their
markets, advising them on their resourcing needs, whether for a highly specialised role
or to meet large scale requirements arising from a project within their business.
Hydrogen’s success is built on the ability of our consultants to find experienced,
high quality professionals no matter where they are in the world. We form lasting
relationships with our candidates, having a positive impact throughout their career.
www.hydrogengroup.com
ESCP Europe is the world’s oldest business school. Founded in Paris in
1819, the School provides postgraduate and executive-level business
education at five European campuses (Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid and
Torino), and globally via a broad network of academic partners.
www.escpeurope.eu

Global professionals on the move report

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (18)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (19)

Similar to Global professionals on the move report

Similar to Global professionals on the move report (20)

More from Hydrogen Group

More from Hydrogen Group (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Global professionals on the move report