What's drawing employees to global firms?
Nine in 10 (92%) of Singaporean workers are keen to work for global employers, far outpacing the global average of 80%.
Why? Better pay and benefits are the driving force, with 75% of Singaporean employees citing these factors as the most appealing aspects of working for global companies—up from 62% in 2023, finds a new survey from G-P (Globalization Partners).
The report highlights a significant shift in the local job market, with 68% of Singaporeans anticipating entering the job market in the next six months, compared to 58% last year.
Additionally, over half (56%) of Singaporean employees are open to remote work opportunities with global companies, without the need to relocate, well above the global average of 42%.
And 40% believe that global firms are more capable of managing geopolitical pressures, a slight increase from 34% last year, finds G-P.
Growing appeal of global experience
The survey further finds that 33% of Singaporeans are considering relocating to a different country to advance their careers, compared to only 19% of workers globally.
“Singaporean employees are increasingly drawn to global companies, mainly due to the appeal of better pay, international travel prospects, exposure to diverse work cultures, and acquiring new personal skills,” said Charles Ferguson, APMEA General Manager at G-P.
"At the same time, they have raised their expectations for leadership, particularly in areas like problem-solving and cross-cultural communication, which are essential for effectively managing global teams."
While global opportunities are enticing, Singaporeans also recognize the challenges associated with international work, including language and cultural barriers, managing time zone differences, and maintaining visibility with management. These challenges are key concerns for professionals seeking to transition into global roles.
The G-P survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 2,000 executives (VP+ at companies of 500 or more employees) in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, along with 4,000 employed professionals in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Singapore, and Australia.
