Is Now a Good Time to Switch Careers and Find a New Job?
CAREERS

Is Now a Good Time to Find a New Job and Switch Careers?

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a lot of things changed. We had to adapt quickly if we wanted to put food on the table and pay our bills. It was a stressful 2020 for all of us, but we gradually found solutions to keep us afloat — no matter what they were.

It’s still a scary world out there, but workplaces have adjusted in the last two years. Some changes were good, while others made work more stressful and robbed us of a proper work-life balance. The latter, of course, resulted in more people looking for better opportunities.

Now that companies know what’s important for employees in this new normal, it’s a matter of finding a job where we are qualified or finding ways to make us more qualified. This brings us to the question: Is now the right time to change jobs and make a career switch?



You’re Not Alone

The third annual Employee Experience Trends Report for 2022 by Qualtrics revealed that The Great Resignation will continue in 2022. With the rise of hybrid and remote work, fewer employees are likely to stay in their jobs if they’re asked to return to work full-time.

In Singapore, almost 58% of employees are planning to look or are already looking for a new job this 2022. The desire to look for a new job is higher for those aged 25 to 31 (71%) than those aged 18 to 24 (65%). Among the reasons they’re leaving are wanting a better work-life balance (54%), more opportunities for growth (51%), and a higher salary (40%).

When finding new employment, Singaporeans want a company that offers flexible time off (50%), health benefits (44%), quality technology (34%), and mandated COVID-19 testing and vaccinations (24%).

You’re Given a Choice

Finding a new job and shifting to a new career are two separate matters.

A new job doesn’t require much adjustment since you’re most likely to work in the same industry. All you need is to focus on finding a company that works better for you, physically and mentally. Your current experience may be enough, but you might want to earn more skills to negotiate a higher pay.

Shifting to a new career, on the other hand, means there’s a huge possibility that you’ll start from the bottom and work your way up again. It’s a do-over, but many people find it rewarding, especially if it aligns with their interest and promises stability.

While it can be tempting to do the shift now, remember that it’s not going to be an easy road. Add the pandemic into the mix, the competition is tougher than before. People who are already qualified for the positions you’re aiming for can take that new job away from you.

You’re Not Too Late

Not only the young ones are thinking of finding a new job and shifting careers. As more technologies are being developed, more jobs are becoming obsolete. This makes it challenging for mid-career professionals to keep up. Fortunately, the government acknowledges this concern and has set up different learning options for those who want to advance their careers. These include:

Upon meeting the general eligibility criteria, qualified individuals will undergo training for a specific period (from a few weeks to half a year) to help boost their employability in various industries.

Finding a new job and shifting careers may or may not be the answer to your current situation. It’s best to weigh your options so you won’t regret it, especially now that we live in uncertain times.

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