Why These Jobs for Mobile Professionals Are Hot Right Now

Mobility is rapidly evolving that a term called purpose-based assignments is nothing new anymore to HR-turned-global-mobility specialists. And if you’re new to this and wondering why there’s the word “global” seemingly attached to mobility specialists all the time, it’s because the world is flat, thanks to technology, better infrastructure and measurable tracking mechanisms for companies to hire and find talents with a purpose.

Talents these days are now groomed to become leaders with a global perspective of its market, able to learn and transfer knowledge, skills and experience everywhere he goes. If he turns out to be local, it doesn’t even matter because companies can find a place for talented professionals anywhere. Besides, there is no more “home” country. Everyone is a citizen of the world or has to be — to adapt to the dramatic changes sweeping companies in the digital age.

A big challenge is how to actually find talents — and how to make a job offer enticing for them. Besides sweetening the pot, giving them options can seal the deal as defined by Pwc and others tracking global mobility:

One-way relocation. No one would think this is a growing phenomenon in the industry even with immigration restrictions, but it’s becoming increasingly popular for companies growing their business in hot markets or where there’s a shortage of talents anticipated for years to come. The challenge for companies is anti-immigration fervor, especially in the US, which is still the place for taking a business on a global scale. Everybody knows this. And companies need those talents from countries to help them understand their new markets, after all.

Short-term assignments, often lasting only a year, are hugely popular and are appealing to millennials who are in it for the experience. They like to job hop and for those who don’t have the budget, this may just do the trick.

Project-based assignments. It must have been called lateral move before but companies like to move their people around for an assigned project. While some may not like the challenge, others are known to enjoy the change in environment. You know how to dangle this assignment? If you request for housing near your office, you talent would like that it takes minutes to get to his job where his current job may be taking him hours to commute to work. California Corporate Housing has many of those corporate housing units.

Similarly, rotational employee programs are becoming more prevalent, often used in the development of high‑potential employees and in specific industries.

Reverse transfers is usually an international assignment but in this case, it’s all about the top performers from emerging markets who are moved into developed markets like the United States, to gain valuable experience and skills. It’s a reward for a job well done.

Global nomads. It’s normal for regional leaders to fly in and out to meet colleagues in different parts of the world.  A VP for a global financial firm with offices in New York flies in and out of Hong Kong nearly every month from his home in New Jersey. This writer has seen him only three times in 15 years. (DC)