Sign attitude to work is changing as huge amount of Aussies plan big 2024 move

There’s a sign that Aussies’ attitude to work is changing in a major way, with a huge amount of professionals planning on making a big move in 2024.

A huge amount of Aussies are considering quitting their jobs and finding new roles this year — signalling that attitudes towards work are changing in a big way in 2024.

With the crippling cost of living crisis, rising interest rates and soaring rents, the idea of quitting a stable job to pursue something new has not been high on the priority list for a lot of people in recent years.

However, it seems that could all be about to change, with new research from LinkedIn revealing a whopping 76 per cent of Australian professionals surveyed said they are considering changing jobs this year, up 15 per cent year-on-year.

A survey of 1000 professionals in full or part time employment across Australia revealed the need for higher wages in a challenging economic time and a better work-life balance were the biggest motivators for respondents looking to get a new job.

An increasing number of Aussies are planning on finding a new job this year. Picture: iStock

And Aussies aren’t just confining themselves to their current industries, with 52 per cent of people actively seeking opportunities outside their current career.

Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn’s Career Expert, said that, while its great to see people looking for new opportunities, competition will likely be tough this year.

“In 2024, we are seeing professionals taking back control and moving to the driver’s seat when it comes to their careers,” she said.

“However, with more people looking for jobs this year, competition is going to be tough.”

Ms Dengate said this means that standing out from the crowd is more important than ever, which means building a professional profile, staying on top of industry trends and learning how to best highlight your skills for the role you want.

The survey found that many workers are finding it difficult to keep up with the rapid change in skills required to do jobs, particularly those impacted by the rapid developments in AI.

One in three people surveyed did not know how to match their skills to the job they want, while a further 59 per cent said they are finding looking for a job “frustrating” and a 39 per cent revealed they rarely hear back from companies after completing a job application.

Research showed 87 per cent of hiring managers surveyed plan to hire or expand their workforce this year.

Ms Dengate told news.com.au it is crucial for companies to understand the biggest incentives for job seekers so they can attract the best talent.

“Hiring managers are also focusing on candidates who demonstrate strong growth potential and a keen ability to learn,” she said.

“Organisations highly value key soft skills in potential candidates — especially problem-solving abilities, communication skills and critical thinking.”

The data shows there is a shift in the way Aussies are approaching their work life. iStock

It is clear that employees are realising the need to stand out from the crowd, with 41 per cent of people saying they have been altering their approach to the job search by experimenting with video and digital resumes.

Ms Dengate revealed personal brand is crucial in today’s competitive market and urged people to keep their LinkedIn profile fresh and relevant to attract recruiters.

“Showcase your strengths by writing a brief summary of your background and highlighting your key skills,” she said.

“Let employers know you’re ready by turning on the “Open to Work” feature on your profile. “You can also use our advanced AI-powered Premium tools to create catchy headlines and About sections that will give your profile an edge.”

An increasing number of jobseekers are making use of AI, with one in two currently using artificial intelligence to help streamline the job hunt.

Fastest growing jobs in Australia

As Australia’s professional landscape continues to change, so do the types of jobs that people are applying for.

Using unique data from the platform, LinkedIn has been able to rank the 15 fastest growing jobs over the past five years, providing insights into new job trends and emerging opportunities in 2024.

These are the careers that have been rising in popularity in Australia in recent years:

1. Cyber Security Analyst: Responsible for monitoring and responding to security incidents to safeguard IT infrastructure and data.

2.Crime Analyst: Specialises in identifying, investigating and preventing financial crimes.

3.Workplace Specialist: Responsible for managing and facilitating various aspects of an office environment and support employees and visitors.

4.Sustainability Manager: Responsible for developing and implementing strategies to promote environmental and social responsibility within an organisation while ensuring economic viability.

5. Audiologist: Healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.

6.Buyers Agent: Real estate professional who works on behalf of homebuyers to assist in finding, evaluating and negotiating the purchase of properties.

7.Director Energy: Overseeing energy-related strategies, which may include energy procurement, sustainability efforts and investments.

8. Diversity and Inclusion Specialist: Responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion within an organisation by developing and implementing initiatives, policies and training programs aimed at fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

9. Clinical Care Manager: Responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating the medical and patient care services in a clinical setting, ensuring the quality and efficiency of patient care.

10.Growth Specialist: Expert in developing and implementing strategies to drive an organisation’s growth and expansion through marketing, sales and business development efforts.

11.Employee Relations Specialist: Focused on managing and enhancing relationships between an organisation and its employees, addressing workplace conflicts and ensuring compliance with laws.

12. Partnerships Coordinator: Responsible for facilitating collaborations with external partners to achieve mutual goals and objectives.

13.Platform Engineer: Professional who designs, builds and maintains the technical infrastructure and platform on which applications and services run, ensuring scalability, reliability and performance.

14.Integration Engineer: Manages the integration of various software systems and applications within an organisation.

15.Engineering Officer: Supervisory role responsible for managing and overseeing engineering projects, teams and technical activities within an organisation.