Disappointed with the UK job market and tempted by overseas offers, an increasing number of Brits are seeking employment outside the country, IntaPeople has said.
Research from the specialist recruitment consultancy showed that online searches for overseas work rose to just over 2 million in Q3 – a rise of 15.54% on the previous quarter. The company analysed the trends of 40 of Google UK’s most popular terms relating to employment abroad.
Australia topped the list as the most popular destination searched for by British jobseekers, followed closely by Dubai and Canada.
Although recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that UK unemployment fell by 20,000 in the three months to August, there are still 2.45 million people currently out of work.
Stephen Riley, director at IntaPeople, commented:
“Finding work has been a real slog for parts of the population, especially newly-grads with little or no experience, so it understandable that growing numbers are considering the opportunities available to them abroad.”
Attractive packages in other countries have also fuelled the movement of British professionals towards overseas jobs, Riley said.
“Skilled workers are being drawn to extremely competitive overseas packages, many of which offer tax-free salaries, relocation costs and first-rate health care. These can prove very tempting to British workers, and even more so if the job is based in a country with a warm climate.
“Businesses need to take stock of this rising trend to prevent a brain drain at a time when the UK needs its top talent the most. Firms may have tightened their belts during the downturn, but they need to be careful to reward their staff appropriately as the economy starts to open up.”