I was recently asked some interesting questions by a global recruiter. They were interested to know about the numbers of executive and professionals leaving Brazil each year to take assignments outside the country and overseas. As you might guess, this is not easy info to find. If you have insights on where it is available please let me know.
Here is how I tried to answer the question that was posed…
I found some numbers showing that Americans are the largest expat country in the world according to government records. The number of Americans moving to foreign countries every year is about 45,000 on the high side. Of those people moving out of the country only a small number, say 20%, are executive professionals moving for international assignments. Others are returning to live with family or retiring to other locations, etc. So maybe 10,000 are taking international assignments in foreign countries each year. For Brazil the assumption is the number would be smaller yet. Perhaps 3,000 to 5,000 annually. Those positions are likely in larger numbers in and around Latin America and then overseas in still smaller percentages.
Enough with the math and the figuring…
The real point I am driving to is that while cross-border movement of people and international recruitment is not staggering in numbers, the process is specialized. It also became obvious that employers will more frequently seek local talent to fill local jobs in foreign locations as an alternate to moving a headquarters-based person into an international assignment. Of course all of these generalizations will vary by industry, location and the level of international assignment being filled.
As employers search for local talent in foreign countries as an alternative to relocating exiting talent, unique relationships and connections are required to successful fill position openings. Companies with international assignments to fill need good global recruiters on the ground in the country where the job is. Even more desirable is a relationship with a global recruitment partner that is local, yet able to source talent in the targeted area of need.
I’m interested to know if you see the movement of talent across borders or the recruitment of talent in other countries to be the more common occurrence in the years ahead. I see employers opting for the recruitment of local talent as the faster growing need in the next five years. Expatriation of existing staff is complex, time-consuming, short-term and expensive. Sometimes it needs to be done, but given an option I think most would opt for local talent that can be groomed for success.
