Going global: 9 in 10 Singaporeans prefer to work for international companies

Three factors are fuelling Singaporeans’ drive to join global corporations.

The majority of Singaporeans (93%) prefer to work for global corporations, according to the “Global Growth Report: The Rise of the Everywhere Workforce” report of Globalization Partners.

Of Singaporeans already job hunting, 90% believe that companies actively recruiting internationally present a greater prospect for furthering their professional career goals. 

According to the report, three factors are fuelling Singaporean’s drive to join international companies: the prospect of enjoying better pay and benefits (62%), options to travel or work abroad (52%) and the chance to be part of a culturally diverse work environment (53%).

Singaporeans also believe global companies are more successful in multiple facets of business practices: generating and supporting international clients (61%), adopting and implementing the latest technology and tools (59%) and attracting top talent (52%). 

When joining a global team, Singaporeans have a couple of considerations.  For positions that require working with teams across multiple time zones, 90% of respondents said clear boundaries were necessary and non-negotiable. 

Nearly half (46%) even advocate for scheduling team meetings that consider as many time zones as possible, ensuring inclusivity and convenience.

Over half (53%) of Singaporean respondents also expect leaders to ensure company updates are sensitive to different time zones and languages. 

Additionally, more than half (52%) believe companies should offer cultural sensitivity training for staff and 49% emphasise the importance of leaders making in-person visits to all global regions.

Singaporeans also value their leaders’ ability to adapt and remain flexible (63%), followed by cross-cultural communication (59%), and creativity and problem-solving (57%) tied with empathy and compassion.

“In light of the prevailing workforce and talent crunch, it is essential for businesses to adopt a global mindset to thrive and scale in this environment,” said Charles Ferguson, General Manager, G-P Asia Pacific.

“Embracing a global mindset, thinking beyond geographical boundaries and creating a workplace culture that fosters international collaboration will not only help overcome talent limitations but also position businesses in Singapore for sustainable growth and success in an increasingly interconnected world," he said.