Three-quarters (76%) of Australian professionals are considering a new job in 2024, up 15% year-on-year, according to analysis of LinkedIn data.
The surge signals a shift in attitudes among Australian professionals who are no longer willing to stick it out and in 2024 are taking ownership of their careers by making up for lost time and focusing on productivity and career growth.
LinkedIn data shows that job search activity on its platform in Australia has increased year-on-year, with 16% more job applications in 2023, compared to 2022.
The need for higher wages (49%) in a challenging economic environment and the desire for better work-life balance (33%) are the biggest motivators for changing jobs. Australians are also open to exploring new career paths, with 52% of professionals actively seeking opportunities outside their current industry or role.
Professionals are finding it hard to match their skills to the jobs they want
While Australians are bullish, they are finding it hard to keep up with the rapid change in skills required to do some jobs, largely driven by the rapid developments in AI. 33% of professionals said they do not know how to match their skills to the job they want, making the job search process more difficult.
LinkedIn data shows that skills for jobs have changed 25% since 2015 and are expected to change 65% globally by 2030. Australians are also finding job hunting tough with 59% saying that looking for a job is frustrating and 39% said they rarely hear back from recruiters.
Professionals are changing their job search approach to stand out
Amidst tough competition, Australians are altering their job search approach to stand out from the crowd. 42% of professionals say they are experimenting with new formats such as video and digital resumes. They are also keen on using AI to help make their job hunt more efficient and productive, with 50% of Australians saying they currently use it to help them land a new role.
Aussie professionals are also taking control of their career by investing in building their professional brand and tapping connections that can help them increase their chances of landing a job. 32% of professionals are posting more content on LinkedIn and 42% are becoming more active in growing their professional network.
Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn's career expert, said in 2024 she is seeing professionals taking back control and moving to the driver's seat when it comes to their careers.
"However, with more people looking for jobs this year, competition is going to be tough. Standing out from the crowd is now more important than ever," Dengate said.
"Investing in building your professional profile, highlighting how your skills are relevant to your desired job and staying on top of industry trends will improve your chances of finding the right opportunity."
Jobs on the Rise - the fastest growing roles and trends defining the future of work
LinkedIn’s latest Jobs on the Rise list provides new insights into the fastest-growing jobs over the past five years, uncovering the trends defining the future of work and where the long-term opportunities are.
In Australia, Cyber Security Analyst, Crime Analyst and Workplace Specialist, are the top three jobs in 2024, with growth rates above 57% for Cyber Security Analysts.
The ‘Top 15’ fastest-growing jobs in Australia are:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Crime Analyst
- Workplace Specialist
- Sustainability Manager
- Audiologist
- Buyers Agent
- Director Energy
- Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
- Clinical Care Manager
- Growth Specialist
- Employee Relations Specialist
- Partnerships Coordinator
- Platform Engineer
- Integration Engineer
- Engineering Officer
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