US workers looking for a new job

Generation Y is keen to move jobs

In a recent workplace insights survey U.S. workers admitted they are beginning to think about changing jobs, with Generation Y workers the most likely to persue employment elsewhere.

The survey was released from Adecco Group North America, the world's largest recruitment and workforce solutions provider, and was conducted online in March on their behalf by Harris Interactive.

Fact and figures - war for talent

78 percent of US workers confimred they felt that the current job market is the worst they've ever seen in their career. However, regardless of this, the majority of workers of all ages confirmed they have began exploring new job opportunites. 

This trend indicates that a "war for talent" has begun and that employers should brace for workforce changes in the year ahead. 

The survey outlined that Generation Y workers were the most ready for change, with the percentage of workers looking for a new job in 2010 doubling from 14 percent to 30 percent. Already, over 50 percent of Generation Y workers plan to go on (or already have gone on) a job interview as the economy begins to recover.

In comparison, 30 percent of Generation X workers, 29 percent of Baby Boomers and 22 percent of workers aged 61 and over also have interviewed/plan to interview in the year ahead.

"In the recent past, we've alluded to the likely impending arrival of a renewed 'war for talent' – a time when job opportunities will rebound and ultimate opportunity/control will shift from employer to employee," said Rich Thompson, vice president of training and development at Adecco Group North America. "These survey findings indicate that that is now starting to take shape and employees' mindsets have started to shift – they are ready for a change after riding out one of the worst recessions in American history and open to new opportunities. We caution employers to focus their efforts on retention plans for the months ahead and encourage employees currently in transition to consider temporary employment as way to try out a new career.

Additional survey findings include:

• Older Generations Focused on Keeping Their Jobs: Unlike younger generations of workers like Generation Y, Silent Generation workers (those workers aged 61 and over) are focused on keeping their current jobs. In fact, 66 percent of these workers say that keeping their job is their number one work-life concern, but only six percent are willing to take a pay cut to stay in their current job.
• Baby Boomers Working Harder but Don't Anticipate Rewards: 41 percent of Baby Boomers feel they are working harder than they were a year ago but nearly half of this generation does not expect a raise in 2010.
• Confidence Waning in How Good President Obama is for the Economy: Despite the recent passing of a jobs bill, workers are beginning to doubt how good President Obama is for the job market. At the end of 2008, 67 percent felt President Obama would be good for the economy and today just over half feel this way.
• Workers More Focused on Contingency Planning than in the Past: 26 percent of workers are saving more money for potential unemployment than they used to. In addition, 42 percent of Silent Generation workers are delaying retirement plans as a result of the economy.

The survey took place online from March 26 to March 30 among 2,222 adults 18 and older, of whom 1,149 were employed. 

Related articles:

The effects of lengthy unemployment | Hit the ground running - Training & Development | Evolution of the Job Search: From Paper Resume to Online Career | Four Keys To Hiring Right The First Time

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