Singapore employers prefer to hire overseas returnees : Survey

Eight out of ten employers in Singapore prefer to employ an overseas returnee, according to survey results by recruitment firm Hays.

These employers cited reasons of “cross-cultural awareness” in overseas returnees.

When asked about the benefits overseas returnees could bring to their organisation, 79 per cent of employers voted “cross-cultural awareness” and “language and communication” skills as most necessary qualities.

The report by Hays also found that most Singaporeans returning home have realistic salary expectations while mainland China returnees are some of the least expectant.

Responses were collated from both candidates and employers living in five markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China.

Across Asia, Singapore fares the lowest in terms of hiring a returnee in the past 12 months, with only 39 per cent of businesses doing so, compared to the Asian average of 54 per cent. Hong Kong firms came in with the highest rate of 52 per cent.

Additionally, many employers reported having good experiences with their overseas returnee staff, and would advocate the hiring of skilled candidates who have worked or studied abroad.

39 per cent of employers in Singapore were “satisfied” with their overseas returnee staff, and 9 per cent were “very satisfied”, while only 2 per cent were “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied”.

Nine in 10 employers will recommend employing an overseas returnee to their peers. /TISG