One-Third of Execs Would Move Overseas for Job

February 22, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Thirty-seven percent of executives would consider taking a post overseas, according to an executive survey from Korn/Ferry International.

When asked to identify one major career move they would take, 33% also said that they would consider changing industries, while 19% said they would consider opening a business. Take a year off (5%), work part time (2%) and not considering any of the options (4%) were the other responses.

“As the economy continues to improve, we find that executives are increasingly willing to take some career risk and tackle new challenges,” said Bob Damon, President, North America for Korn/Ferry, in a press release. “Our firm is seeing improved demand for talent across nearly all regions – particularly emerging nations such as India and China – so it follows suit that executives would be more eager to consider overseas assignments.”

The survey also asked what the minimum acceptable amount of time to stay at a firm. Forty-seven percent said two years, while 42% said five. Two percent answered that the minimum time was less than a year, while 4% said more than seven years. When asked how many companies the responding executives have worked for, 56% said four to seven, while 31% answered that they had worked for two to three.

When asked if they would work for a former employer, 74% said that they would consider returning. Only 4% said that they would absolutely not consider such a move.

The survey was conducted by Korn/Ferry – an executive search and leadership development firm – between October and January, with responses from over 2,700 executives.

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