My grandfather worked in the same bank job from when he left school until he retired, but no-one expects to do that anymore. But what factors do you think might drive you to switch employers or career paths altogether?
Picture by Neil T
Why people expect to switch jobs was one of the questions asked in the Kelly Services Global Workforce Index, which we looked at last week when discussing how important your education is to your career prospects. More than half said they expected to make a change in the next five years. The most common reason was needing better work-life balance (30 per cent), followed by changing interests (28 per cent) and the need to earn more (20 per cent). Where do you sit on that spectrum?
As always, we’re open to further nuances and discussion in the comments.
Daniel
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 9:44 AMI’d love to vote in the poll but it’s kinda closed
Angus Kidman
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:20 AMSorry about that! Working to fix it now.
Angus Kidman
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:48 AMFixed. Apologies again.
wsDK_II
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 9:44 AMEarn more would be number 1. More experience would be number 2.
better work life balance would not enter into it – i would not take a job that didnt allow me to spend the time that i want with my family.
Sam
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:15 AMI’ve only been in the fulltime workforce for the last ~7 years; and my first fulltime placement lasted about 5 (spread over 3 different positions in the same organisation). I’m currently working fulltime hours casually, so I expect I’ll be changing roles as the need for me in my current placement decreases.
As far as changing jobs is concerned, I do find that I do tire of various aspects of a particular role, and was happy to depart my previous employer for change when I left.
Thomas
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:18 AMI have a bachelor degree that I’m not utilising in my current job. Despite the pay and conditions it just feels like a waste. I am, however, waiting for the opportunity to move to a job in my discipline within my organisation.
Mick
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 11:05 AMIf you dont change jobs, how would you get a decent pay increase?
Damien
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 11:24 AMHeh. I’m looking to change jobs, for none of those reasons.
* Toxic work environment
* No recognition
* Increased travel demands that I can’t meet
* Company pays lip-service to training budgets but it never happens
* Nature of job has changed for the worse
There ya go. I got yer poll response right here. :)
canberracubicle
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:07 PMfunny… I haven’t seen you around the office.
+a lot
Andrew Martin
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:47 PMI don’t think I fit in any category above.
My role over the last 6 years has been to fix broken helpdesks. The average job is one that lasts between 12 months on the low end, and around 36 months on the high end.
When I am done fixing them I get a capable long term manager in and train them up before I exit the business and hand over. I like being the hired gun. My mind set is not for the long haul, I am the management break-fix guy.
However, I have been working in IT&T for almost 30 years (January 2012 makes it 30) and to be honest I am tired of the tech treadmill. Going into business for myself and becoming an oppinionated consultant may end up being the next step for me, or I might just go to work doing something entirely different. Not sure yet.
Sapphyre
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 3:41 PMFYI, This poll shows as closed with Total Votes:0 in Firefox 5.0
I did cast my vote by using IE 8 instead ;)
Sapphyre
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 3:42 PMAnd as soon a I posted this comment, it showed correctly. Meh.
Simmo
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:02 PMI read its good for your health. That said moving in a large company can facilitate that for me internally. Which has happened many times.
Doone
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:18 PMFirst one on Damien’s list – Toxic work environment. I ceased being an employee in 96 and will never be a full time employee again because it is too hard to get away from a workplace gone bad. Working with a number of clients I am repeated offered good fulltime positions but never, ever again will I be held hostage to poor management of toxic co-workers.
Sarah
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:31 PMJust hit my 10 years in one organisation, but several different roles, and it was my first full time job, but now I am seeing some of the people we consider the oldies retiring/being retrenched at around 25 years of service and alot of them had enough space to grow and learn and work your way up within the same company. I will stay as long as I can as I also get that chance.
Sydney
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 7:01 PMI find many people (including myself) have changed jobs simply to get a pay rise that their current employer cannot, or will not give them if they stay with the same company. There’s no way the company I worked for 5 years ago would have incrementally increased my pay by $50K over 5 years.