Nearly half of HR professionals around the world cite career prospects as their main reason for moving overseas.

15 March 2006

AMSTERDAM - Nearly half of HR professionals around the world cite career prospects as their main reason for moving overseas. 

According to a new survey by Robert Half Finance and Accounting, 45 percent of HR professionals would move abroad to enhance their careers. The research showed that two in five of the global careerists don't explore options within their own companies first and nearly three in four would find intercultural training useful.

The survey, which was conducted with 1,800 finance and HR professionals in 11 countries around the world, showed that HR working in France and Germany especially gave career enhancement as their main reason for moving abroad.

Opportunity to travel

However, those working in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands and the UK see a move overseas more as an opportunity to travel and see the world than for career reasons.  

Does HR seek opportunities internally first?

HR and finance professionals in Germany are the most likely to look internally for opportunities, with 78 per cent saying they would do so before making a move. HR professionals in Luxemburg are the least likely to explore internal options first.

Is intercultural training useful?

The research reveals that nearly three in four finance and HR professionals believe that training on intercultural behaviour would be useful when trying to understand cultural differences.  However, HR in Holland are the least concerned about intercultural training with only 33 percent agreeing. Their counterparts in Germany and Ireland find it the most useful, with 87 percent of respondents in each country in accord.

When is the best time to go?

The survey also indicates that 41 percent of finance and HR professionals believe that the best time to live abroad is after a couple of years of work and before settling down, followed by those who believe the best time is after their studies have finished.  

[Copyright Expatica 2006]