Dive Brief:
- A recent survey by FlowingData outlines some of the places employees go when they resign. The "switching rate" indicates whether staffers are throwing in the towel completely and looking for a new career path, or just moving on to another company.
- The data shows that the rate of switching depends on the job category. Healthcare professionals are the most likely to stay within their industry (about 80%), likely partly due to the training and education required. For other fields, like financial specialists, there’s a 40% chance they’re jumping ship entirely.
- Less than half of workers in legal careers stay in the field when they resign, and more than 30% of computer and mathematics employees head for a new track. Where are they going when they finally throw in the towel? The site has a chart that points to the new careers they’re pursuing. For example: About 8% of compensation and benefits managers are turning to farming and agriculture.
Dive Insight:
While some employees may feel they are stuck in their job or industry, many are taking the plunge into an entirely new career.
For recruiters, coping with a talent gap may mean looking harder at resumes you may have put aside in the past. In this market, where some of the most necessary business skills are lacking, successful employers will be the ones that branch out into unorthodox acquisition strategies. These newer approaches still require employers stick to old standbys, like maintaining a productive culture and truly valuing their staffs, however, so don't forget the basics in the push for innovation.
Employers can also take advantage of their employees' willingness to change career direction by providing both vertical and horizontal development — either up the hierarchy or to a different department entirely. Organizations can keep good but unsatisfied talent within the organization by providing other opportunities and skills development programs.
Regardless, businesses might do well to invite career nomads to apply; you never know what types of skills they may bring to the party.