5 Workplace Changes That Could Affect Your Job

The workplace is changing.  And if you’re looking for a job or aiming for a promotion, you should be aware of the changes that will impact everything from where you work to how you work.

 

I know the job market looks bad right now, but the economy is slowly gaining momentum. New attitudes about work and careers will shape the workforce as we move up in this decade. The five emerging trends to watch include:

 

Looking for a Change.  Last year, it was sit tight and don't take a chance on leaving your job to advance your career. Today, more workers are willing to take a chance and switch. As many as 15 percent of full-time, employed workers are looking for a new job. And up to 76 percent noted they would change jobs if the right opportunity presented itself. It's not about money, either, with 68 percent saying that better benefits trump a higher salary.

Accent on Technology. Job descriptions are changing to adapt to the new world of IT, social media and Internet security. Tech-savvy managers and assistant managers are being recruited to address the new realities of ever-increasing technology in the workplace. Recruiters and HR managers are using tech keyword searches to sift through resumes.  

Fewer Moonlighters. Employees are shedding extra jobs and concentrating more on their primary careers. Those taking second jobs have dropped from 19 percent in 2010 to just 12 percent in 2011. Moonlighting that sacrifices career growth for extra cash is out. Career building is in. 

 

Relocating Workers. With unemployment in some states hovering at 15 percent, workers are on the move and refusing to let geography limit their job choices. A total of 23 percent relocated to a new city or state to find a job that fits their career and salary goals. By the end of 2011, a third of employers had indicated that they would reimburse qualified job candidates for relocation expenses.

 

Video Interviews. More employers and HR managers are using video interviews to help them screen qualified candidates. All the more reason to brush up on your presentation skills. The percentage of employers who conduct interviews rose from just 6 percent in 2010 to nearly 11 percent in 2011.

 

As you can see, getting a job or a promotion in 2012 won’t be as simple as sending out a resume and waiting for the phone to ring. You’ll need to be pro-active in this highly competitive decade to get the job you really want. If that means learning a new computer program or moving to another state, you’ll have to commit to succeed.