Women Achieve Career Success Quicker if They've Worked Overseas, According to Global Survey

SYDNEY, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional women who want to advance their career and reach the boardroom quicker should consider working overseas, according to a survey on global mobility in the workplace by leading global recruitment agency Hydrogen Group.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110307/441554 )

The Global Professionals on the Move Report 2011 was commissioned by Hydrogen Group and conducted by a consultancy project team from ESCP Europe. Released today, it analyses responses from 2,637 professionals from 85 different countries with qualifications of a bachelor degree or above. With the majority of respondents - 91 percent - already working abroad or looking to do so, the survey offers unique insights into the experiences, attitudes, motivations and priorities of highly qualified, high earning, professionals from around the world on working overseas.

With 100 percent of women surveyed saying they would recommend working abroad to others, the survey confirms working overseas to be an extremely positive experience, with the vast majority of respondents reporting that it has improved their career prospects, salaries, living conditions and personal development.

It also offers fresh insight into factors affecting women progressing in business, namely that they are not getting as much international experience as men, thereby hindering their career progression, despite international companies actively seeking out their talents.

Emma Halls, Director Hydrogen ANZ, said: "Our Australian clients are increasingly requesting women with international experience. Australia is addressing the gender divide with companies making a strong commitment to gender equality. Banks seem to be leading the way, prompted by the ASX's drive to place more women in senior positions, and even score-carding CEOs on this statistic, helping instigate shifts in attitude. With gender diversity at the forefront of our clients' minds, women with international experience will see their CVs fast-tracked through to interview in Australia."

Hydrogen ANZ stated 30 percent of the candidates it places are women.

The survey also found:-

    
    - Virtually all (98 percent) respondents said they would recommend 
    working abroad to others (100 percent of the women respondents)
    - Similarly, 93 percent reported they would go abroad again if given the
    chance
    - Men outnumber women four to one in working abroad - whilst women
    do express a willingness to relocate almost as much as men - 41 percent
    of women, compared to 46 percent of men - the reality of working abroad
    is still realised by more men
    - Of those Australians overseas 33 percent are women and 67 percent
    are men
    - 50 percent are in the 31-40 age group, 26 percent have
    children

Tim Smeaton, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogen Group, commented on Australia's popularity as a relocation destination:

"Australia's in the top three countries respondents said they would most like to work in, for the second consecutive year. Although Australians recommend working overseas, 40 percent wanted to return home (compared to only 18 percent across other countries), recognising that no matter how good the overseas experience is, Australia is still the best place to be long term."

He added: "We produce the report to determine shifts in candidate perceptions of overseas working. We envisage global mobility will play a greater role in people's career decisions moving forward and have moved 40 of our own employees around our global offices in the last 18 months, so we understand the issues faced by both our candidates and clients when advising them about relocation."

The second annual Global Professionals on the Move 2011 report is available online at http://www.hydrogengroup.com

Media Contacts

Joanna Chumas - PR ANZ +44-785-554-7710 joanna@communicationsmanagement.co.uk

Emma Halls - Director Hydrogen ANZ +61(0)4-2475-5593 emmahalls@hydrogengroup.com