Why should you recruit global talent?
Making yourself ready to hire globally can be key to success.
Solving the talent shortage
In 2023, 42 % of companies in Northern Sweden reported lack of talent as a major hindrance for further growth. That's way above the national average of 30 %. This problem is possibly further exasperated by the fact that larger industrial projects (like Northvolt in Skellefteå) require huge amounts of labor, according to Tillväxtverket. Small and medium sized enterprizes need to sharpen their attraction and retention skills to sustain themselves in such a competitive environment.
Furthermore, there is still a strong cultural divide in Sweden when it comes to how Northern Sweden is viewed both by ourselves and by the rest of Sweden's population. Northern Sweden has for many decades during the 20th century been described as a region of slower growth and less innovation power than the rest of Sweden. Even though the situation is the exact opposite today, Northern Sweden's reputation on the labor market is still fairly poor. In many cases it can be easier to find highly motivated and positively minded talent globally rather than look to mid and southern Sweden.
With current movement and migrations patterns, even if we manage to attract more Swedes to move north we simply don't have enough Swedish labor force to satisfy the needs of our growing companies. Getting your company ready for global talent is simply a must in the long run.
Building a good business
Hiring international talent also makes sound business sense with numerous advantages. When you look for talent all over the world, you increase the possibility of finding the best talent from global markets. In Sweden, there is currently a shortage of skills in certain occupations. One solution is to recruit from other countries.
International recruitment also has other advantages. Strengthening ‘Diversity’ is regarded very favourably as it brings benefits on several levels such as access to alternative ways of thinking. New recruits, with their experience of other countries and business climates, are able to see an operation in new ways and use different approaches to solve problems and develop products.
The language skills and market knowledge a recruit from another country possesses provides a company with new ways to enter potential markets. If your company is considering a new export market, there is much to be gained by getting hold of local knowledge about customers and competitors, especially when it comes to the spoken and unspoken rules of business life.
There are also purely human aspects – a job in another country means new experiences, new knowledge and a chance to grow. What's more, whether the person is from a neighbouring country or the other side of the world, bridges are built between cultures and people. It arouses curiosity and broadens horizons. Isn't it cool to see your business through someone else's eyes and realise your ideas make the grade?
Three positive effects
Diversity means stronger powers for innovation
Opens doors to new export markets
New perspectives and insights into other cultures
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