Cross-Border Relocation: A View from Europe

What drives a professional to pack up their life and move to another country? Join host Patience Fairbrother and Steve Duncan, Managing Director of C Studios, to discuss the What Talent Wants study, which surveys internationally mobile professionals across nine European countries. 

Now in its third edition, the study aims to understand what drives talent to seek jobs and lives abroad and what goes into the complex decision-making process behind these cross-culture moves.  

The latest data reveals some striking patterns: nearly half of people who’ve already relocated internationally are considering moving again, highlighting challenges with integration and retention; three-quarters moved with partners, children, or both, challenging the assumption that talent attraction is primarily for young, unattached professionals; and when it comes to how people search for jobs, it’s about skillset, not industry, a contrast to the typical economic development approach.  

The big takeaway from Steve’s perspective is simple: if places can think like talent and try to simplify the process and remove barriers to relocation and integration, they will be more likely to not only attract, but also retain them. 

Listen in to learn: 

• Why career opportunities and higher living standards are top drivers for talent relocating across borders 
• How family considerations influence relocation decisions 
• Why professionals search for jobs by role and skill set first and what that means for talent campaigns 
• Why the first six months are critical for integration and how to make an impact 
• How thinking like talent and simplifying the relocation journey can improve attraction and retention 
• The role of AI and integrated messaging in shaping the future of place marketing and talent attraction 

With the intensifying competition for talent, it’s important to understand how your community can compete on a global level – and this episode offers a primer. 

Listen and subscribe to Talent Wars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To submit guest or episode topic ideas, email patience.fairbrother@aboutdci.com.