G-P has announced the findings of its fourth annual Global Employee Survey. Exploring the overall sentiments, professional interests, and career goals of modern workers from a variety of regions across the world, the study found that while the majority of today’s workforce is happy at their current jobs– they’re also willing to look elsewhere for the right opportunity, and would even pursue years of schooling or training in order to switch careers.
The 2022 Global Employee Survey, which gathered input from thousands of employees across nine regions, revealed that today’s workforce is actively invested in their professional futures and careers — and despite recent waves of economic uncertainty, are interested in pursuing new opportunities and industries.
The 2022 Global Employee Survey asked respondents from around the world to share information such as their likes and dislikes about their current positions, as well as what perks, benefits and other values they most desired from their careers.
According to the survey, today’s workforce determines the value of their careers by more than their paychecks – and expressed desire for options like greater flexibility and the ability to take advantage of new and emerging professional opportunities.
In the United States specifically, being able to switch schedules (34%) and the opportunity for careers that weren’t around in their younger years (34%) were the most encouraging reasons for respondents to make the switch to a new career or sector.
In addition, while four in five (79%) American workers said they are happy with their current job, making a professional switch isn’t out of the question. This is because nearly half (45%) would consider putting in their two weeks if the right offer came up – and while 36% of Americans are willing to put themselves through two years of education to make a career change, nearly one in four (24%) would do up to four years.
The survey also includes data from the Asia Pacific region with Australia/New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore as key focus countries. More than 60% of APAC surveyed, except for South Korea at 44%, are currently happy with their jobs, and over 30% of all APAC respondents are willing to put themselves through two years of education to make a career change.
Better monetary remuneration remains the top motivation for career change with over 50% of APAC citing better pay as the number one consideration, followed by career fulfillment and opportunities for learning new things.
Worldwide, the survey revealed today’s employees are focused on professional development, with an emphasis on new opportunities for reskilling and additional training– no matter where they are based.
In tandem with this desire to pursue upskilling, the survey also found that when it comes to the most encouraging reasons to switch careers, the global workforce aligned around the top reasons to make a change: better pay, in order to feel more fulfilled, and to learn something new.
“This data shows that most global employees are currently, and will continue to be, invested in their professional future,” said Bob Cahill, CEO of G-P. “People want to be prepared in times of change and ready for new opportunities and that includes considering new kinds of careers.
“This is heightened by the fact that the global talent pool is undergoing a dramatic, unprecedented shift. If you factor in the possibility of hiring talent remotely and combine it with the willingness workers have to put in the time it takes to train and develop, employers have an opportunity to hire the team members they need for their hard to fill positions — particularly within the technology sector.
“This presents a clear opportunity for employers to think about how they recruit, hire and manage their workforce.”
APAC key findings from the survey include:
Singapore
- 1 in 3 (33%) would be willing to do up to two years of schooling to switch to a new sector or career
- 36% would pursue just under a year of schooling to switch to a new sector or career
- While 69% report feeling happy at their current jobs, 58% would consider another job if the right offer came up
- The most encouraging reasons to switch careers were better pay (58%), wanting to learn something new (33%) and more career progression (31%)
- A majority (77%) agree that the quality of their work decreases when they are not happy at their job
- More than 1 in 5 (22%) are most interested in switching to a career in information technology / tech
- 49% of respondents would take a job they’d like more even if it meant making less money
- 48% are in a hybrid/remote work model
Australia
- 31% would be willing to do up to two years of schooling to switch to a new sector or career
- Another 28% would be willing to do up to one year of schooling
- While 77% report feeling happy at their current jobs, 43% would consider another job if the right offer came up
- The most encouraging reasons to switch careers were better pay (48%), more career progression (26%) and wanting to feel more fulfilled (25%).
- A majority (75%) agree that the quality of their work decreases when they are not happy at their job
- 16% are most interested in switching to a career in business, consulting and management
- 38% are in a hybrid/remote work model
