The job for life is well and truly over, with three in ten millennials having clocked up five or more jobs in their career so far, new research reveals*.
The poll of more than 2,000 UK workers found that 28 per cent of people aged between 18-34 have already had more than five jobs. The average millennial has already had 3.4 jobs, compared to 5.9 for those in the 55+ age bracket. Northern Ireland was the region where employees had the most job moves, with 16 per cent of respondents reported having had ten jobs or more.
Further reinforcing their reputation for learning and progression, the research found that over half of millennials (52 per cent) say that they plan to move jobs within two years, and over a third (34 per cent) within the next twelve months.
Millennials are not just seeking new jobs, but multi-disciplined, diverse careers. The research found that two-thirds of under-35s (64 per cent) want to move sectors, compared to just 39 per cent of those between 35-55.
Differences in generations and sexes
The research also sheds light on how motivations for choosing a role differs between the generations – and the sexes. While more than eight in ten (83 per cent) of over-55s cited salary as one of their top three motivations for choosing a new role, this figure fell to just 67 per cent for millennials. Women were also far more likely to cite flexible working (46 per cent) than men, less than a third of whom said this was a priority (29 per cent). Career progression, on the other hand, is almost twice as important to men (23 vs 15 per cent).
Ben Chatfield, CEO and Co-Founder at Tempo, commented,
Employers have found it notoriously difficult to understand millennials and their outlook on work. As a consequence, they have struggled to meet their needs. This generation has a different appetite for learning and self-improvement. They don’t see a portfolio career as “job hopping” as older generations might. Instead, change an opportunity to develop key skills and try something new.
There are multiple advantages to have a diverse job background. People who embrace variety are more adaptable, likely to have a range of soft skills, and a wider pool of professional contacts. Employers must realise the opportunity they present and do more to attract them. This means creating a recruitment system that supports a flexible employment structure and enables them to hire at speed
*from Tempo
Interested in the future of work? We recommend this Future of Work Summit 2019.
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
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