nijobfinder’s Jobseeker Survey 2021 has revealed that the events of the past year have made almost 70 percent of participants reassess their careers.
Of those revaluating their careers, 70% said they were looking for a new job while 23% are hoping to retrain.
Just over a third of those questioned (36%) saw their work status change as a result of the pandemic with 24% losing their jobs, 20% starting new jobs, 13% being furloughed, 11% giving up work due to caring responsibilities and 7% going from full-time to part-time hours.
More than half (57%) of participants were able to work from home during the pandemic but now some 46% are back in the workplace full-time. 15% are still working remotely with no plans to return to the office and 16% are hybrid working with some days spent in the workplace and some at home.
Perhaps surprisingly less than a quarter (24%) of those asked said the absence of a remote or hybrid working option would deter them from applying for a role but more than 70% said they would still expect employers to offer it as an option.
Looking to the future and a concern over job security and a worry about lack of flexibility or changes to current work/life balance were the main reasons that would prevent most people from changing jobs in the next twelve months. The survey also revealed that when it comes to post-Covid career priorities most people value flexible working as top with job security next and career progression and salary coming third and fourth respectively.
nijobfinder Digital Marketing Manager, Joanne Uprichard said: “The purpose of this survey was to find out how people’s lives and attitudes towards work has changed during the pandemic and also what we at nijobfinder can do to help our customers going forward.
“Job hunting can be a stressful and difficult experience so we’re always looking for ways to support our users and make it easier for them to find a new role.”
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