Whether you're looking to switch careers in 2022, or already have your sights set on a new line of work, there are several steps you can take to prepare. These steps will help you to quickly transition into a new position.
Middle-aged workers are more likely to make a major career change
Approximately four million workers changed jobs every month over the course of a two-year period. That is nearly one-third of all workers. During that time period, a total of 4.3 million workers left the labor force temporarily, and a further 1.6 million workers were unemployed.
The majority of the workers who left their jobs in 2021 were not looking for a new job. In fact, the average monthly rate of change was higher in blue-collar jobs than professional occupations. In 2021, 55% of women left their jobs, while 53% of men did so.
In general, younger Americans were more likely to change jobs than older ones. Workers between 18 and 24 held an average of 5.7 jobs. These changes slowed down to 4.4 jobs for people between 25 and 34 and 2.9 jobs for people between 35 and 44.
Interestingly, the rate of change in 2022 was less than in 2019. Workers who were less educated had an average monthly rate of 3.5%, while those with a bachelor's degree had an average monthly rate of 2.1%. The rate of change was higher in arts and entertainment, personal and laundry services, and educational services.
The most common reason people change their jobs is for a salary increase. More than half of workers surveyed said they were willing to take a pay cut for a career change. 65% of workers said they felt isolated in their workplace.
The average age at which people start considering changing jobs is 39. These stats are slightly higher for women than for men. For instance, women who are ages 39 and older were less likely to report personal stresses and financial risks than their younger counterparts. However, many older workers say they need to revamp their jobs and salaries.
Younger Americans are more open to job hunting
Millennials and Gen Zers are more likely to be job hunters than their elder counterparts, according to a survey. More than half of Gen Zers and millennials said a sense of belonging is a key factor in their job search. Younger workers are also more likely to change jobs, a trend that's set to continue in 2022.
Among workers who left an employer within a month, half said they changed occupations. Blue-collar jobs saw higher turnover rates than professional jobs. And women were more likely to leave their jobs than men.
Some workers are discouraged from looking for a job, though. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 424,000 workers were discouraged in July 2022. These discouraged workers did not look for work in the four weeks prior to the survey. They may have had reasons for not looking. However, the survey found that a significant portion of workers were discouraged because they thought there was no work available.
The survey found that half of respondents are actively looking for a new job. Another 41 percent would be open to searching for a new role in the next two to six months. However, the survey also found that the likelihood of having a good job is lower for Black and Hispanic or Latino women.
Among workers with less than a year on the job, 32% said they were likely to search for a new job in the next six months. The survey found that Asian, Black, and Hispanic workers are more likely to look for a new job than older workers.
The survey also found that workers who are discouraged about their financial situation are more likely to consider a career change. Half of those who are downbeat about their financial situation say they're likely to look for a new job in the next six month.
Update your resume
Depending on the type of work you are applying for, you may need to update your resume. It is important to have a current resume as employers are looking for the best candidates. A resume is one of the most important tools to advance your career. The resume should reflect your current skills and experiences.
If you are looking for a career change, you should update your resume before you apply for a new position. The resume should show off your transferable skills and highlight the accomplishments that are relevant to the new position. You should also customize your resume to each position you are applying for.
When updating your resume, make sure you take the time to proofread it. This will help you catch any errors that may detract from your resume's professionalism. You should also include specific keywords on your resume to make sure it is read by the right people.
When updating your resume, you should remove any outdated or irrelevant experience. You can also split up your work history into separate sections. For example, you may want to leave off your volunteer work or projects that were not directly related to your current job. You can also include recent awards and certifications earned over your career.
You may also want to add new skills or achievements to your resume. If you have changed fields, you may need to add new industry jargon to your resume.
It is also important to update your resume when you are not looking for a new job. Adding specific keywords can make your resume more competitive and help you find the right position.
You should also update your resume as frequently as necessary. For example, you may need to update it every two years to keep it up to date. This is especially important if you are looking for a promotion.