Survey says workers ready for job switch

NEARLY three in five Australian workers will seek new career opportunities this year, as the post-pandemic recovery kickstarts The Great Resignation.

Research commissioned by professional networking site LinkedIn found 91 per cent of workers felt confident with their current role, while 58 per cent revealed they were looking to switch jobs in 2022.

The survey of more than a thousand Australian workers also found 60 per cent of respondents felt more likely to change jobs now than before Covid.

Job flexibility, such as workfrom-home arrangements, helped drive the increase with almost two-thirds claiming it had encouraged them to rethink their career path.

A higher pay packet (33 per cent) and a better work-life balance (28 per cent) were other key reasons for job-hopping.

Remote working has had a positive impact upon workers, with 36 per cent claiming it had improved their confidence, while a quarter of women believed it helped break down traditional professional barriers.

Dubbed The Great Resignation, nearly 35 million workers quit their jobs in the US last year as workers re-evaluated their personal priorities, such as a better work-life balance, during the pandemic.

While a similar shift hasn’t yet occurred in Australia, LinkedIn career expert Cayla Dengate said 2022 would be a good year for those seeking new career opportunities.

“This shift is being driven by Australians feeling positive about the state of the labour market as there has been a 60 per cent increase in confidence since the pandemic began to seek new roles or even change careers,” she said.

“Our research shows this change is often due to their current employer not supporting their needs, with many looking for anything from a promotion, pay rise or flexibility.”