A new Indeed survey tapped into the zeitgeist of our collective mindset. The pandemic caused us to reevaluate our lives and careers. The data shows that millions of Americans decided that they’re not going to waste anymore of their precious time at a job that they don’t like.
In a YOLO (You-Only-Live-Once) mindset, workers are actively pursuing and switching jobs. It’s not a one-time thing. It used to be that job hopping was seen as an anathema for career growth, as companies would shun people who switched jobs too frequently— believing that they’re disloyal and would soon leave them too.
Now, according to the statistics offered by Indeed, people are comfortable moving around without fear of being stigmatized. Job switchers stated they took their new jobs knowing they were temporary, while continuing to hunt for the right permanent fit.
Companies dealing with the dual trends of the Great Resignation and war for talent accept the new reality. They have no other choice than to consider frequent moves as the new normal. Since businesses desperately need candidates to fill the empty seats or staff up at restaurants, bars, stores, shops, warehouses and fulfillment centers, they’ll welcome job hoppers.
In the survey of over 1,000 people who voluntarily resigned from at least two jobs since March 2020, 92% said the pandemic made them “feel life is too short to stay in a job they weren’t passionate about.”
Here are some highlights of what Indeed found about the mindset of workers and why they wanted to change jobs:
Remote, Flexibility And Seeking A Positive Change
Nearly half of the respondents reported that they felt the need to move if their company didn’t offer remote or flexible work options. When companies didn’t offer accommodations for the need to deal with issues, such as child care, contending with public school closures and dependent family members, they felt the need to quit and find a more empathetic workplace.
There were positive aspects that employees felt improved their work-lives. Over 80% responded that the rise of remote work opened the vistas to a new wide array of job opportunities across the country.
A little over 75% self-reported that the labor shortage was a positive thing, as it offered new career opportunities that they would not have had otherwise. Around 85% of job seekers replied that they are seeking out new roles outside of their current industry. Nearly 100% cite the pandemic as the reason they decided to change career paths.
Making The Switch
Nearly two in five workers left a steady position at the onset of the pandemic, led by the need for flexible hours (34%) or remote work (45%) unavailable in their pre-pandemic position. The majority (87%) of skilled workers were compensated the same or more at their new job. Half of job switchers received an increase in compensation.
Vaccine mandates also played a role. Nearly one-third left this position because their employers imposed a vaccine mandate, while on the flip side, one-sixth left because their employers wouldn’t impose a mandate.
About 70% of workers who have left their jobs are actively looking for something new, and higher compensation is the biggest reason they’re seeking a move (49%), followed by flexibility in remote work (36%).
The Continual Reevaluation
Despite changing jobs two or more times, 85% of job seekers are looking at work outside their current industry. Ninety-seven percent of them attributed the decision to change career paths to the pandemic.
For workers who intend to stay in their current roles, good work-life balance (56%), flexibility (46%) and a positive working environment (43%) are the top three reasons employees are staying in their new roles, after cycling through a few jobs throughout the pandemic.
What You Should Look For In A Job Switch
When searching for a new job, Indeed suggests that you should do research on the companies you’re interested in working at. Find out about compensation, remote, hybrid, flexible work arrangements, diversity and inclusion, the support of empathetic leadership, open and honest transparency from management, a work-life balance, career growth potential and a role that offers meaning and purpose.
Source: Forbes
