Australia is experiencing a tidal wave of employees jumping ship due to low career growth options.

Over 900 Australian job seekers were asked why they were actively looking for their next job.

6 years ago we ran the same survey. The employment market has changed significantly since then in Australia since then. This has led to a dramatic change in our reasons for looking afield.

“Career Growth” is now the biggest bug bear for employees. A change in personal circumstances and contracts ending were the next most common reason for looking afield.

The mining industry was most concerned about contracts ending. Retail industry employees were more concerned about needing a change in environment. Career growth concerns is now the number one reason for changing jobs across all other industries.

The top 6 surveyed reasons for looking afield

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Of the survey respondents, less than 20% were leaving because they were forced to.

Career growth rose from our fourth most important concern to now our first.
Our level of concern for money has not changed.
The contractors fear that their contracts won’t be renewed as major project slow down.

MACRO Recruitment Managing director Daryl Keely believes that 6 years ago we were less concerned about losing our jobs and of recent years may of us have taken on “filler jobs”.

As the market has changed, so has the level and types of work available. To survive many employees have been forced to stagnate their career growth.

He believes this is creating larger pool of frustrated workers. This means attracting good job seekers to move has become easier – if your company is on the up.

“Once the employment market starts to show more positive signs, we expect a flood of experienced staff members changing jobs as they seek interesting projects in new environments.” Mr Keeley said.