Staying at the same job for too long among top 3: global survey
More than six in 10 employees have work-related regrets, with pay-related regrets the most common.
A survey by Resume Now among 1,000 employees in the US, UK, France, and Germany found that career regrets peak at mid-career, with Millennials having the highest number of employees with regrets (70%).
The breakdown by generation is:
- Gen Z (61%)
- Millennials (70%)
- Gen X (69%)
- Baby Boomers (52%)
Reasons behind career regrets
Most respondents cited not asking for a pay increase (60%) as their biggest regret. Others cited:
- Not prioritising work-life balance (59%)
- Staying at a job too long (58%)
- Not negotiating salary when taking a job (58%)
- Not getting a college degree (53%)
- Not speaking up in a meeting (53%)
- Not asking for a promotion (51%)
Half of the respondents said they regret in their chosen career, while 44% said they regret not making a full career change, according to the report.
Nearly half (46%) of the respondents also said they regret being a remote worker, as the findings come at a time when work arrangements could impact pay and career progression.
This year, more than half of employees (55%) said they plan to learn new skills, reflecting recent upskilling trends as new technologies take over workplaces.
Nearly half also said that they plan to find a new job (45%) this year. Others said their career resolutions are:
- Pursuing professional development (26%)
- Growing a professional network (25%)
- Getting a new professional certification (23%)
- Asking for a raise (21%)
- Making a career change (19%)
- Finding a remote job (18%)
- Getting a second job (16%)
- Attending at least one professional networking event (16%)
