Earlier this year, Optimus Recruitment surveyed over 350 people across all sectors of employment to better understand what causes people of different ages to move job roles. The survey showed that while people of all ages were prepared to move to find the right job fit, younger generations were no more inclined to jump between jobs for financial gain or progression.  

 

32% of under 25’s moved jobs due to changes in their career direction with only 11% considering a move for a better salary. While younger generations job-hop with more frequency as they find the right career path, the survey revealed that this continues throughout the age brackets with 24% of those aged 24-35 still changing direction and 16% of over 60’s taking the plunge into a new industry. 

 

Jamie Guyer, Managing Director of Optimus Recruitment, said: “These results would indicate that irrespective of age, employees mostly want the same things from a job being security, flexibility and the opportunity to progress. Our experience is that people are less afraid to move more between jobs, which is not only a result of changing attitudes but also of economic circumstances and the variety of jobs on the market. Job-hopping no longer has the negative connotations it once did and actually can be the sign of drive and ambition.” 

 

Those who work in the legal sector were found to have the most stable employment statistics, with 62% having only held one or two roles in the last ten years with over half of those surveyed having been in their last role for more than five years. Accountants were also shown to be long-term employees with around 45% having worked in excess of five years in their last role. No one in the legal sector counted promotion or a lack of job satisfaction as the reason for job moves.

 

All age groups surveyed prioritised pay and benefits packages when considering a move, closely followed by flexible working arrangements. A company’s culture and social scene increased in importance for those aged 46 and above, especially for those working in the finance sector. 

 

Despite salary being the biggest influence for job moves, it was not the deciding factor to cause most people to leave their jobs. In the finance industry a lack of job satisfaction ranked as high as the desire for a career change, both of which caused more job moves than the promise of a higher salary. 

 

Jamie said: “We have seen a trend whereby more people are moving due to discontent in their current role than the desire to earn a higher salary which should prompt employers to carefully consider how they retain their staff. Today’s candidates are looking for a firm that will invest in their future, offering them respect and recognition rather than monetary benefits.

 

“If we match a young candidate with the right role and the right employer there’s no reason to believe they won’t become a loyal long-term employee. People don’t move because of cultural trends, but because of circumstances.”