Looking to Make a Job Change? You Are Not the Only One Contemplating This

• Author: William Asher
• Posted: 2024-08-17

Despite the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading like wildfire these days, the economy is still continuing with its upwards trajectory. The availability of the vaccine and the reopening of business as usual has spurred on a massive hiring effort in many industries. This unprecedented job growth has many people thinking about making a change in the near future.

What are the reasons why so many workers are considering switching jobs or careers? Here are just a few of the top considerations.

Increase in Value of Company Culture

One thing that the pandemic revealed is that many companies lack a positive work culture. With an expanding job market, people are realizing that they have choices when it comes to jobs. Rather than settle for a company culture that is not a good fit for their personal values and needs, they are looking to find a place where they can connect and feel valued.

Companies that did not value their employees were brought into sharp focus during the worst days of the pandemic. Workers desire cultures that value communication, continuous learning, and flexible work environments. With so many options, workers have the luxury of finding a fit that offers the culture that they desire.

Desire for Career Advancement

You are not alone if you feel stuck in your current job. The pandemic has brought many industries to a standstill. This has made it more obvious to workers that now is a good time to get out. Companies that were able to pivot and adapt to the pandemic's challenges are not surprisingly doing well in this anxious environment. Conversely, those organizations that did not adapt well have been left with employees who are looking to get out.

A lack of career mobility and inadequate skills development are the primary reasons that many people are deciding to look elsewhere for improvement. While these issues may have presented themselves in the long term, the pandemic simply sped up the revelation of a company's flaws.

Need for Remote Work

Until the pandemic came along, most workers did not realize how convenient remote work truly was. Now that most white-collar workers have been exposed to this way of life, they do not want to give it up and return to a traditional office environment. This development has a record number of people looking for jobs that offer remote work as a permanent option.

While many companies have delayed the required return to the office because of concerns over the Delta variant, some organizations are going full-steam ahead with mandating that workers come back. This has prompted some workers to look elsewhere for employment.

Emphasis on Benefits

The pandemic has also highlighted the dismal state of many employee benefits programs. Solid health care is more important than ever because of rising concerns about long-haul COVID-19 symptoms. Qualified workers are also putting a greater emphasis on economic benefits, such as retirement plan matching programs, disability and life insurance offerings, and paid family leave options. With so many available jobs, workers understand that they do not have to settle for any one job.

Priority of Work-Life Balance

Most people regard the increased emphasis on the importance of a great work-life balance as one of the most significant takeaways from the pandemic. Parents especially were thrust into the position of needing this flexibility in their lives when children were forced out of schools and into an online format.

Some workers are even willing to give up a higher salary in exchange for a flexible work schedule that leads to a better balance. In addition to the option to work from home, workers need the flexibility to take a leave to care for sick or quarantined children. With many after-school programs shuttered, parents may also need to work split shifts or other schedules that give them the opportunity to address the needs of their children during this difficult time.

It is anyone's guess as to what will happen next with the economy and the job market as the virus continues to ebb and flow. Keeping your options open will always yield the best results for your future career path.