Job market predicted to be restless in 2014

Around one in five workers in the US are already looking to change jobs in the new year, according to a recent survey by a leading human capital firm.

CareerBuilder's survey of over 3,000 full-time employees across the country revealed that 21 per cent of respondents are seeking a new employer for 2014, up from 17 per cent in 2013.

In addition to finding out the intentions of American workers for the year ahead, the survey dug deeper into their underlying motives and reasons. CareerBuilder found that, unsurprisingly, dissatisfaction was the main driver behind those who were planning to switch jobs.

This was broken down into dissatisfaction with the job itself (accounting for 58 per cent of respondents), with the advancement opportunities at their current place of employment (45 per cent) and with work/life balance (39 per cent). Additionally, the number of workers who were satisfied with their job went down from 66 per cent in 2013 to 59 per cent this year.

Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, added that it wasn't only workers' attitudes that were responsible for a more active job market this year, as the wider economy was also helping.

"When more workers change jobs it's usually a sign the labour market is warming up," she said in a January 9 statement.

"During the recession and in its aftermath fewer people voluntarily left jobs because the chances of finding a new or better one were low compared to a healthier economic cycle."

Looking at the other side of the coin, the survey revealed that compatibility with colleagues, good work/life balance and a good range of benefits were the main factors among those who opted to stay with their current employer.

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