Why are half of Canadian professionals eyeing new jobs?

Half of Canadian professionals plan to start looking for a new job in the second half of 2024, according to research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half.

This marks an increase from 41 per cent who reported similar plans during the same period last year.

Job Search Plans by Generation:

Top Job Search Motivators:

The research identified the main reasons workers seek new jobs:

• Higher salary (60 per cent)
• Better benefits and perks (50 per cent)
• More flexibility (32 per cent)
• Higher-level title (31 per cent)

Those not looking for new opportunities cited satisfaction with their team and company culture and a desire to maintain their current level of flexibility as key reasons for staying.

Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director of Robert Half, Canada, said, “As the economic outlook has evolved, professionals’ optimism in the job market has evolved too. Workers feel confident in their abilities and in the opportunities available to them, especially those with in-demand skills and experiences.”

Workers Remain Confident Despite Challenges:

Nearly six in ten (58 per cent) cited making their resume stand out as their top challenge when applying for jobs. Other obstacles included a lack of salary transparency in job postings (54 per cent) and finding the time to search and apply for jobs (50 per cent).

Nevertheless, 78 per cent of workers, whether actively job seeking or not, expressed confidence in their abilities and reported taking steps to enhance their value and employability by learning new skills.

Job Search Deal Breakers:

Employers should be aware of potential missteps that can deter top talent. Workers surveyed indicated they would lose interest in a position due to:

• Mismatched title for experience/education required (39 per cent)
• On-site work requirements with no remote options (39 per cent)
• Vague or unreasonable job responsibilities, reporting lines, and career paths (36 per cent)
• High employee turnover (34 per cent)
• No salary range listed in the job description (32 per cent)

Vasilopoulos added, “Even though optimism is high, job seekers continue to face challenges in the labour market, and they need to take a strategic approach to their job hunting. Employers looking to attract top talent should ensure their hiring processes, compensation packages, and perks and benefits are competitive and aligned with what workers are looking for.”