We’ve heard several reports about how many employees plan to look for a new job after the pandemic (see here and here). Now data from CompTIA suggest that those job seekers will be looking for a new career entirely — nearly 6 in 10 (60%) respondents to their survey say they’ve explored employment opportunities outside their current line of work.
CompTIA’s “Job Seeker Trends” report, which studied about 1,500 U.S. workers, revealed that just under half of current job seekers (42%) are expecting to be hired in a mid-level job, 30% in an entry-level job, and 19% in an advanced role. Fortunately for them, employers in the U.S. have posted over 25 million job advertisements this year, giving those looking for a change plenty of options.
To be ready for the change, employees have taken additional steps to enhance their prospects within the past three months. Half of respondents have updated their resume, while about 40% have searched for information on how to train and develop new skills. 60% have already applied for a new job online.
Those looking to build new skills used a variety of resources, which differed depending on their desired new field:
- Online training courses were preferred by those seeking jobs in information technology (73%) and communications, multimedia, journalism, or social media (73%).
- In-person training were most used by those considering positions in construction skilled trades, operators, or architects (59%).
- Self-study was the top option for respondents pursuing jobs in the arts, design, entertainment, or sports (67%).
Career changes come with their own risks. Many respondents (40%) were concerned a new position may not be an improvement from their current role. Other issues include the time and expense related to training for a new role, and a lack of desire to relocate coupled with the belief that there are no good job opportunities in their current location.
According to Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, this data is indicative of historic shifts in the labor market. “We must view this as an opportunity to reset outdated thinking in areas such as skills-based training and hiring. It is imperative we further expand talent pipelines and career pathway opportunities to meet employer needs, especially in the critical area of digital skills,” he said.
