‘Last in, first out’ fears: Covid-19 hits career progression as people ‘shelter’ in current jobs
Job vacancies are surging but almost one in two candidates are “sheltering” in their current job since the onset of the pandemic, new research today suggests.
LinkedIn’s latest survey found that 77 per cent of recruiters say candidates currently seem less committed to moving roles, for fear they could be “last in, first out” elsewhere.
As the UK economy opens up and hiring surges across multiple industries, recruiters say an increased amount of candidates are “sheltering” in their current job, with 46 per cent preferring this strategy over jumping ship.
Lingering pandemic uncertainty has caused workers to put career progression on the back-burner in the last year, with people preferring to stay put rather than risk losing a regular income and job security.
Repeated coronavirus lockdowns also caused 21 per cent of UK workers to say they’ve been too concerned about the pandemic to be able to concentrate on career progression.
“It’s understandable that people are feeling anxious about the prospect of moving jobs during a pandemic, particularly if they have good job security, a steady income, and their employer has treated them well over the past year,” said Adam Hawkins, Head of Search and Staffing at LinkedIn.
As businesses consider returning to the office, hybrid working models and improved office spaces rank highly amongst employee priorities – factors that could help shape their future workforce.
“While career progression may not have been top of mind, it will come back quickly over the coming months,” Hawkins adds. “Now is the time for job seekers to reassess what they’re looking for from their role and employer, and explore all options available.”