By Mustafa Shafawi
Posted: 22 March 2011 1107 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's workers are stretching their horizons as the search for jobs goes global.
According to a survey by recruitment firm Kelly Services, almost nine in 10 Singaporean respondents are willing to switch to more suitable jobs.
And more than five in 10 Singaporean respondents are even prepared to relocate to another country or continent in order to secure their preferred position.
Gen Y (aged 18-29) and Gen X (aged 30-47) workers are more footloose than their baby boomer (aged 48-65) counterparts, including being more willing to travel across the globe for the right job.
The most desirable destination for globetrotting Singaporean job-seekers is elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region (41 per cent), well ahead of Europe (26 per cent), North America (16 per cent), Middle East (five per cent), and South America (two per cent).
Those working in science, and oil & gas, are the most prepared to relocate to other countries for work (77 per cent and 63 per cent respectively).
The survey says the overwhelming factor preventing people from moving abroad for a job is "family and friends," (59 per cent), followed by the cost of moving (20 per cent), language barriers (nine per cent), and cultural differences (six per cent).
And the desire to move to a different continent is driven by "the experience" rather than setting up permanent residence, with 58 per cent prepared to stay for three years or less.
Explaining the results, Kelly Services Managing Director, Mark Sparrow, said the market for talent is becoming global.
The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index which obtained the views of about 97,000 people in 30 countries, including 900 in Singapore.
The survey, conducted from October 2010 through January 2011, also reveals a significant number of people working in "unconventional arrangements."
These involve long or unusual hours and multiple jobs.
- CNA/fa
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