New Year, New Job?

According to CareerBuilder.com’s latest survey, the same number of respondents say they actually plan to leave their current job before the end of the year. In addition, according to a press release, six in ten workers say the economy and the tightening job market are not making them hold off on their plans to change jobs.

While seven in ten workers say they are satisfied with their jobs, 82% of those not actively looking for a new position would be open to one if they came across the right opportunity.

Reasons cited for wanting to leave their jobs in the new year included:

• Wanting better pay and/or career advancement opportunities (49%),
• Looking for an environment where they feel more appreciated (14%),
• Wanting to work for a company that is making a difference (10%),
• Electing to change careers entirely (7%), and
• Wanting more flexibility or planning to go back to school (3%).

According to the press release, respondents say the most important attributes they look for in new employers are:

• Company’s stability and longevity in the market (32%),
• Good career advancement opportunities (20%),
• Good work culture (14%), and
• Ability to offer flexible schedules (12%).

Respondents reported key factors that influence job satisfaction and company loyalty.

According to a press release, a quarter of workers are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their pay. Thirty-five percent of workers did not receive a raise in 2008, and of those that did receive one, 25% were given an increase of 2% or less. Sixty-three percent of workers report they did not receive a bonus in 2008.

Twenty-six percent of workers are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the career advancement opportunities provided by their current employers, the press release said. Eighty percent did not ask for or receive a promotion in 2008, and 20% felt they were overlooked.

Eighteen percent of workers are dissatisfied with work/life balance, and 54% say their workloads have increased over the last six months. Finally, 23% of workers are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with training and learning opportunities provided by their current employers.

The survey, titled "2009 Job Forecast," was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 3,259 hiring managers and human resource professionals (employed full-time; not self-employed; with at least significant involvement in hiring decisions; non government); and 8,038 U.S. employees (employed full-time; not self-employed; non government) ages 18 and over between November 12 and December 1, 2008.