International labor market: Switzerland still popular with employees from abroad
Switzerland is still considered one of the most popular destinations for employees from other countries, but it has lost popularity, as the "Decoding Global Talent" study by the Boston Consulting Group, The Network and JobCloud shows. Switzerland ranks 8th - behind the USA, Germany and Canada, among others.
Switzerland ranks 8th in a study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network (an alliance of leading online job portals, of which JobCloud is a member) on the most popular destination countries for employees from abroad. Compared to the last edition of the study in 2014, this means a loss of three places for Switzerland. Switzerland has become less attractive, particularly for Russians, Chinese and US Americans, but also for Italians and Germans. Still the most popular destination for Germans in 2014, Switzerland is now behind the USA. The most popular countries overall are the USA, Germany and Canada. The UK is the big loser in the top 10 (from 2nd place in 2014 to 5th place in 2018). The reason for this may not least be the Brexit. The biggest leaps forward in the top 10 are made by Spain and Australia (Australia from 7th to 4th place, Spain from 8th to 6th place).
Swiss would prefer to go to the USA - or stay in Switzerland
The desire of employees in Switzerland to work abroad has decreased drastically: While 77% expressed the desire to work abroad in 2014, the figure was 60% in 2018. However, this figure is still above the international average of 58%. Young and well-educated people in particular can imagine working abroad (64% and 71%).
"The work-life balance and a good working relationship are of above-average importance to employees in Switzerland, according to the study," says Renato Profico, CEO of JobCloud (jobs.ch / jobup.ch), the leading company in the digital job market in Switzerland and "The Network" member. "Apparently, fewer and fewer want to put these factors at risk for a job abroad. A move abroad is also usually associated with establishing a new environment and a different working climate." Those who take the leap to work abroad do so primarily to broaden their personal horizons, gain work experience or experience a different culture. Very few people go abroad for a higher standard of living or a higher salary. However, these factors are particularly important for employees in other countries when deciding whether or not to take a job abroad.
Switzerland particularly popular in France, USA number 1 in Switzerland
Where do employees from Switzerland go? It is not the neighboring countries that are particularly popular, but the USA and Canada - followed by Germany as the only neighboring country, and then Australia, another overseas destination. The English-speaking world thus seems to be much more popular than countries where Swiss national languages are spoken.
Some of our neighbors, on the other hand, would move to Switzerland: Switzerland is particularly popular with employees from France, Bosnia, Serbia, Italy and Tunisia. For people with skills in IT, engineering, sales, digitization and management, the dream of a job in Switzerland can come true particularly quickly: Jobs in Switzerland in these areas are particularly difficult to fill - whether with candidates from Switzerland or abroad. Some 46% of the recruiters surveyed even say that it has become even more difficult to fill positions in these areas over the past three years. So it seems all the more important to have a functioning international labor market.
Source: Jobcloud
