Most dream of greener pastures

"As workers head back to their desks this week, most will be thinking about changing their career or finding a new job."

        New research released this week reveals more than three quarters of Australians are not happy with their careers and want to change.

        The survey, conducted by education provider Martin College, also reveals 9 per cent of Australians actually hate their jobs.

        Only 22 per cent are happy with their careers and don’t want to change, with Brisbane workers the most satisfied. Sydney and Melbourne workers hate their jobs equally.

        The research is backed up by a survey conducted by Reuters last year that found only 13 per cent of employees planned to stay in their current positions.

        Two-thirds said they were looking to change jobs in 2010 and 21 per cent admitted to networking last year to get the ball rolling.

        For some, a new job is a New Year’s resolution but others are simply smelling the signs of an economic recovery.

        The rise in business confidence and the promise of a stronger economy means companies are looking to hire again which, in turn, leads candidates to start sniffing around for alternative options.

        “Many companies would not have given salary increases in the past two years,” says Robert Half Queensland recruitment director Andrew Brushfield.

        “And, for that time, people’s attitude has been ‘thank God I’ve got a job’. They haven’t worried about pay rises and haven’t asked their boss for any.

        “But things are improving in the economy and if employers don’t offer salary increases in the early part of the year, candidates will start looking around for alternatives.”

        But pay rises aren’t the only way to keep key staff.

        Businesses can use motivators such as training and more flexible working arrangements to keep employees engaged.

        A British survey recently found praise and commendation from an immediate manager, preferably in front of colleagues, was extremely motivating for staff as was the chance to lead projects.

        For employers who did not handle the recession well and, as a result, suffered a backlash of poor staff morale, a shift in culture may be needed to re-engage staff. “Simple things like communication are really effective - making employees aware of where the company is at financially, where it’s heading and what is likely to happen over the next 12 months,’’ says Brushfield.

        But Martin College managing director Warren Jacobson says people’s new year’s resolutions to change jobs are unlikely to translate into reality.

        “Even though someone has made a resolution this year to do something about changing their career, more often than not, they just think about it and then think it’s too hard,” he says.

        “Our research shows that a quarter of Australian workers who are not happy with their career haven’t changed because they think it’s easier to stay where they are and 14 per cent say they don’t have the time.”

        Of the Australian workers who have successfully changed their careers, 47 per cent undertook additional study to achieve their career change.

        The survey also revealed that more than half of the respondents believe they would earn more if they gained additional qualifications and a quarter believe they are looked down on by co-workers who hold qualifications.

More Details: http://www.careerone.com.au/news-advice/employment-news/most-dream-of-greener-pastures-20100111