During the first half of 2025, 57% of workers plan to look for a new role, and 71% said they’ll do so in the next 12 months, according to a Jan. 15 report by Bartech Staffing.
Workers over age 55 were more likely to say they want a new role, while those under 25 were more likely to say they’re satisfied with their jobs.
“With hiring having slowed over the past 18 months, it’s not surprising people are anxious and ready for change,” Erica Leone, senior vice president of Bartech Staffing, said in a statement.
“What is notable is that most people we surveyed are satisfied with their current job, but as we’ve seen in the past, there is interest in roles that are more financially and intellectually rewarding,” Leone said.
Workers listed several reasons to seek a change, with 76% looking for higher pay, 59% wanting better work-life balance and 50% wanting to advance their career. Flexible work arrangements were also popular — and more important to women (45%) than men (25%).
To improve the recruitment process, companies should boost both the quality and speed of communication during hiring, most workers said. In addition, 63% said they want no more than two stages of interviews, and fewer than 25% said three stages were acceptable.
During the job search process, applicants may be turned away from red flags such as hustle culture and a lack of salary information, according to a StandOut CV report. On the other hand, job seekers said they’d like to see a job ad with qualification requirements, work hours and benefits.
So far, job seekers have reported mixed views about the 2025 labor market, according to an Express Employment Professionals report. Although half feel optimistic about finding a job easily in the next six months, the other half anticipate difficulties.
HR pros have also reported challenges, particularly with a skills mismatch between job seekers and company needs, according to a LinkedIn report. HR leaders can help close the gap by focusing on upskilling and reskilling among workers who otherwise make a great fit for a role.
