We have reported on the employment gap. We have reported on the rising number of disengaged employees in the United States who are updating their resumes to make a career switch. Now a new poll points to a high number of world wide employees who are considering a complete career change. Is there no end to the talent retention dilemma?
Monster® the worldwide leader in connecting people to job opportunities asked visitors to their global sites the question, “Are national or global economic troubles causing you to consider a complete career change?”
Over 4,600 responses were generated and the international implications are very interesting. :
- 55 percent responded, Yes, I am trying to switch my career
- 30 percent said Maybe, if I can find a better career
- 15 percent indicated No, my career is not impacted by economic troubles
Results indicate a consistent response from workers across Europe, North America and Asia, where more than half of respondents in these countries are looking to change their career in response to an uncertain economy, by a respective 54 and joint 55 percent. North American regions included US (56 percent), Canada (55 percent) and Mexico (51 percent).
Monster UK respondents were meanwhile overwhelmingly in agreement about considering a switch in their career due to economic troubles, with nearly two-thirds (62 percent) answering yes.
Of those who aren’t already considering a career change, many others are on the fence; one third of Canadian workers (33 percent) would consider a career change if something better came along, a response closely favored by French (31 percent) and US (30 percent) respondents.
In comparison, there is a significant difference in the responses of workers country to country who answered that the economy is not impacting their career. Just nine percent of workers polled in the UK answered their career was not impacted, compared to 15 percent of French workers who answered no to the same question.
“There are many types of career changes, with some people making a career ‘side-step,’ moving into a new kind of role within their current industry, while others may be making a more radical change, ” says Charles Purdy, Monster.com’s career expert. “Before considering a change, workers need to do thorough research, making sure they have realistic expectations and a concrete plan for filling their skills gaps. People considering a career change should also reach out to their networks and consider conducting informational interviews, for example. All of us should be actively managing our careers and making sure we’re on top of developments in our chosen industry. At the same time, employers can work to retain employees by offering incentives such as training and skills development.”
This makes good sense for leaders who do not want their operations to end up short staffed.
The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from: February 6 – February 20, 2012. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. The Monster Global poll, a product of Monster®, is a series of online polls that gauge users’ opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.
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Copyright TIGERS Success Series
By Dianne Crampton
Copyright TIGERS Success Series
By Dianne Crampton
TIGERS offers a complimentary business membership program for leaders desiring a scalable, cooperative, quality-focused and friendly work environment that spikes commitment and loyalty from employees. TIGERS® Success Series, Inc. is a team development consultancy that has served leaders and their teams since 1989. TIGERS® helps leaders build teams of employees that are as committed and engaged in the success of the organization as the leaders are.
