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Of 1,052 workers in the U.S., 25% said seeking a new job is definitely on their list for 2016, while 27% said a job hunt is possible. This wave of interest will hit a labor market full of jobs in a range of industries, according to job listing growth on Indeed, as well as job opening data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
“For the first time since the recession we expect workers to have the confidence and motivation to try and trade up into better jobs,” said Indeed Chief Economist, Tara Sinclair. “After years of moribund job prospects, 2016 could be a bumper market for job hunters in industries ranging from healthcare to hospitality and retail.”
The survey found that 79% of job hunters would be looking for increased wages in 2016 when given the chance to choose their top three reasons for a career move. About 44% said they are in search of a higher position or title, and 39% would be after a better work location.
“Question marks do remain around the impact of a tightening credit environment and some disappointing company earnings,” Sinclair added. “But employers look poised to keep hiring in the near-term.”
This strong interest in job hunting is good news for a labor market with wide talent gaps in many fields, according to Indeed supply and demand data.
Roles for healthcare practitioners had the widest gap between job openings and searches on Indeed in 2015, with a 57% divide. Transportation came in second with a 51% gap, and food preparation and service was third at 37%. Information technology also showed a large gap of 32%.
Meanwhile, industries with the most job seeker demand, but relatively fewer postings, was led by security guards and protective services with a 62% gap. Office and administrative support came in second with a 56% divide, and community and social services ranked third at 42%.
“The key for successful placements in this market is for job hunters to match up with employers that can meet their needs,” said Paul D’Arcy, SVP at Indeed. “If you’re already employed but want a change, now is a good time not just to look for a new job, but the right job. At Indeed, one of our core missions is to help make those connections.”
The lack of job uptake has also been due to people sitting on the sidelines and not entering the workforce, as reflected in the U.S.’s labor force participation rate hovering around record lows.
“Although we’re glad to see workers planning to find new and better jobs, we also hope to see more people coming back into the labor market to help contribute to the growth of the economy in 2016,” Sinclair said.
The national survey was conducted online by Censuswide on behalf of Indeed from December 12, 2015 through January 4, 2016, and included a representative sample of 1,029 workers across industries. Indeed’s industry trends data shows job listings for key industries that update on a monthly basis.
Tomorrow we’ll look at a similar survey that shows how things fare for those who have to work more than one job. Plus, an introduction to BLR’s premier recruiting event, RecruitCon 2016: Tech, Trends, and Tactics for the New Era of Talent Acquisition.