4 in 10 Experienced Workers Inclined to Search for a New Gig in New Year

Vast Majority Want Higher Wages

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Jan 19, 2016, 10:12 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national survey of experienced workers finds that nearly 4 in 10 may try to find a new job in 2016. Not surprisingly, given the Great Recession and general economic turmoil during the past decade, those who say they are likely to seek a new job cite "more money" (74%) as the leading motivator for looking.

"The economy may be doing better these days," said AARP Senior Vice President Jean Setzfand. "But a lot of workers are still worried about their paychecks. While our survey, which included many Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, found most people looking want more money, we also found a wide variety of reasons for their job search rationale."

The survey, conducted for AARP's new career website, aarp.org/work, finds that of the approximately 4 in ten inclined to seek new work this year, 23% are either extremely or very likely to try to find a new job this year, and another 16% say that they are somewhat likely to job-seek during that period.

Large percentages of those surveyed mention career growth potential (21%), better workforce flexibility (25%), more enjoyable work (30%), as well as better health benefits (28%) as reasons they plan to seek new work in 2016.

Added Setzfand: "Things are so fluid that many of those likely to switch jobs this year say they do not expect to stay in the same industry. An even larger group of job searchers do not know what type of business they will end up in at all."

Among the other highlights:

Those who were surveyed who are already looking for a new job say the tools most commonly used in their search are online listings (62%), personal contacts (40%), and company career listings (33%).
Most of those surveyed (62%) are currently employed, and a solid majority (66%) have been in the same job for at least five years, pointing up the need for likely job seekers to update their skills.
A quarter (24%) of those likely to switch say that they do not expect to stay in the same industry. An even larger percentage (42%) do not know what type of business they will end up in.
Age discrimination (42%) is listed as the biggest obstacle to gaining a new job, followed by "not being offered enough money" (37%), a poor regional or local labor market (24 %) and "lack of availability of full-time jobs with benefits" (23%).

www.AARP.org/Work provides information, tools and connections to a variety of resources, many of which will be expanded this year. Among other items, the website includes a job search engine, a list of companies that recognize the value of experienced workers and recruit across diverse age groups, and tips for workers of all experience levels looking for work or exploring workplace options.

Methodology: The AARP "Experiences with Work" survey was conducted online and unbranded with Phi Power Communications, Inc. among a nationally representative sample of 1,291 Americans ages 35 to 64 from November 8 to November 14, 2015. The margin of error is +/- 2.9%.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

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SOURCE AARP