Poll Finds More Job Confidence

A Rasmussen news release said its latest Rasmussen Reports phone survey finds 69% of those polled say it would be their own choice to change jobs – up 8% from January 2009. Thirteen percent of adults respondents say the decision will not be theirs if they leave their current employer, and 17% are not sure.

Overall, according to the announcement, 22% say they are now looking for a job outside their current company, and 73% are not.

Twenty-six percent of men and 17% of women are looking for new jobs. Those ages 18 to 39 are more likely to be looking than their elders, but 19% of those ages 50 to 64 say they are seeking new employment.

Forty-one percent of respondents report they’re optimistic their next job will be better than their current one – also up 8% from the January poll. Eighteen percent say the next job will not be better, while 21% hope to retire from their current company.

Forty-five percent of men and 37% of women believe their next job will be better, and younger adults are far more likely to agree with this statement than those 40 and older.

Meanwhile, 75% of government workers express confidence they will decide when to change jobs, compared to 64% of those who work for private companies, the announcement said.

Forty-nine percent of adults now say it is possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job – up from 45% a month ago, but still down from 52% in January.