Restless and Ready to Move

Ambitious and competitive, financial professionals always have an eye on the prize, hunting the path to win. Over half (55%) of the employed financial professionals we surveyed say they are generally happy in their jobs -- but are looking for a better opportunity. Another three in 10 are unhappy with their jobs and are looking to change as soon as possible, according to the first US Relocation Survey released by eFinancialCareers. That's a restless 85%.

How far will they go to further their careers? Most financial professionals are prepared to move to a new city: among those who are employed, virtually all would consider relocating, whether with their current employers or a new firm, and a surprising three in 10 would be prepared to take a pay cut to move to their desired city.

San Francisco edged out the New York/Tri-state area as the most favored city to work in, based on overall ratings of relocation attractiveness of five top money centers, but lost to New York as the number one choice. Chicago and Boston followed at a distance, with Los Angeles trailing.

Financial professionals named New York as the best city for career opportunities by a wide margin, but those who weren't as enamored cited affordable housing as the top issue. San Francisco appealed for the quality of life and lifestyle, while Los Angeles lost ground on the lack of affordable housing, followed by the quality of life. Holding the middle ground, Chicago and Boston are viewed as having attractive career opportunities, if less attractive on quality of life.

If you ask financial professionals, compensation is the top driver for making a move, followed by work-life balance/local lifestyle and promotion opportunities. So for companies and communities wooing talent, it pays to pay attention to the twin magnetic poles of career opportunities and lifestyle.

Constance Melrose
Managing Director
eFinancialCareers North America

Source: The online eFinancialCareers US Relocation Survey took place between April 27 to May 3, 2012, with 1,172 financial professionals, employed and based in the US, and registered on eFinancialCareers.com, taking part.

Media Contact
Ann Bourgeois
eFinancialCareers PR Manager
212.370.8553
efcmedia@efinancialcareers.com

eFinancialCareers, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries.