Indeed Hiring Lab, a global research institute committed to advancing the knowledge of human resource and talent management professionals worldwide, has released new research analysing global job search patterns. The study found that three global labour destinations, the U.S., the U.K., and Canada attract the greatest search interest from job seekers from all over the world. The research also found that of the four emerging BRIC countries (Brazil, India, Russia and China) only India is effectively attracting talent from around the world.
Led by Indeed Economist and Associate Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University, Tara M. Sinclair, PhD, the report provides an overview of global job seeker mobility, detailing exclusive insights into the patterns of global job seekers in 55 countries and economies.
The United States, United Kingdom and Canada, the major migration centres, receive the greatest mix of job seekers from other countries followed closely by India. The US in particular received searches from all other countries studied while the majority of searches to the UK stemmed from Asian and European countries. External searches to Canada were led by the Middle East and Asia.
In terms of desirability, a ranking of locations based on the total number of external searchers, the UK is revealed as the third most desirable job market worldwide behind India and the US. Canada is shown to be the fourth most desirable destination amongst job seekers globally, though receives 16% fewer searches than the UK.
EU workforce mobility
Despite recent statistics showing low rates of mobility within the EU, the report indicates strong search links between member countries. After the US and India, Ireland, France and Spain make up the top five international searches to the UK, with both France and Italy joining the US, Canada and South Africa in top searches from the UK.
This unrealised intent is significant against a backdrop of widespread concern regarding unemployment in Europe, spurred by significant policy changes around the highly skilled visa route, annual cap on number of skilled workers and closure of the post-study work visa. These close search links, which paint a forward-looking view of the labour market, point to a significant impact on the jobs market if the UK were to pull out of the EU.
Flexible working attraction
The UK is highlighted as the top source for international searches for flexible jobs. The recent extension of the right to request flexible working for all UK employees reflects the global emphasis that workers place on this aspect of their job. This trend runs far deeper than a domestic desire to improve work-life balance, to encompass a change in mobility patterns including mobility for short-term assignments.
Additional findings include:
- There is strong intra-regional search interest within the EU and the Middle East, regions with economic and political unions, and much less within Latin America and Asia who do not
- Saudi Arabia had the highest Movers Index, signifying that it had the largest share of people looking to move (65%)
- Of the four giant emerging or BRIC countries – China, India, Russia, Brazil – only India is effectively attracting talent from around the world. Today India is the top job search destination from the US, number 2 from Australia, number 2 from Saudi Arabia, number 2 from Singapore. Brazil, Russia, and China are not major job search destinations from any country
- 9% of UK workers are seeking positions in other markets. Accounting is the top search term for UK residents seeking jobs in France, while hotel and marketing are the most popular searches in Italy, and pharmacist tops the search rankings for those seeking work in Ireland.
Dr. Sinclair commented “This research is a fascinating look at the search patterns of job seekers all over the world. The movement of a global workforce can help economies confront fluctuations in unemployment, distributing skilled workers where they’re needed most. This research adds to our understanding of intended mobility, helping employers target the portions of the global workforce that are relevant to their jobs.”
“Every country across the globe is engaged in a global battle to attract and retain the very best international talent. The mismatch between skills and job vacancies is regularly positioned at the heart of the debate when facing the EU’s mass unemployment challenge,” adds David Ruddick, VP International Markets, Indeed.
“The disparity between job search and actual job movement is an intriguing insight into jobseeker intent, and shows the potential that can be tapped if governments are able to implement the visa and migration policies that will help people find, retain and move jobs more easily. The growth of the global economy depends on a more vigorous and structured approach to international workforce mobility.”
For additional data related to the key findings, as well as detailed profiles of cross-border job search across 26 countries, please click the following link to view the full report: http://www.indeed.co.uk/hire/hiring-lab/July-2014
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