Chances Are You'll Have A New Job When The Pandemic Is Over, Data Shows

But what’s considered “normal” post-pandemic may be radically different from what it was in Feb. 2020.

Job vacancies soared to nearly 15 million last month, according to new data from online job site ZipRecruiter.

Here’s more on what employees now expect from their leaders and what employers need to do to respond to the changing employment landscape.

Who wants to leave their job and why?

With 26% of workers from Prudential’s survey planning to leave their current workplace after the pandemic, an overwhelming amount of them (80%) are doing so to advance their careers.

And nearly the same number — 72% — say the pandemic has forced them to rethink their skill sets, with more than half of that number reporting they plan to leave their current employer having participated in training for new skills during the pandemic.

Most of the workers who are preparing to hand in their notice say they’re looking for a new job with more flexibility, like hybrid workplaces where employees can split their time working from home and the office as well as work outside of the regular business hours.

Even for those who aren’t planning a change, more than half say they will look elsewhere if their current company won’t continue to offer remote work options after the pandemic ends.

What can employers do?

Prudential Financial vice chair Rob Falzon, whose company commissioned the survey, says the looming “talent war” will be won by employers who cultivate cultures that offer what’s most important to workers.

Despite the challenges of isolation and increased hours while working from home, 68% of workers describe it as the “ideal” workplace model.

In addition to remote work options and flexible work arrangements, the survey shows workers are hungry for advancement and comprehensive benefits.

“Leaders must be focused on cultivating thriving cultures of internal mobility, prioritizing continuous learning, and delivering robust benefits to support their workers,” advises Falzon.

Employers will need to highlight these attributes in their job postings to adapt to the changing needs of prospective employees.

What does this mean for those looking for work?

If you have a skill set that’s in demand, but you need a flexible work environment, the pandemic has opened up a world of opportunities for you.

It’s never been easier to find a flexible role that pays well and lets you work around your schedule.

With so many workers planning to leave their roles once the pandemic ends, you may soon find even more job opportunities opening up and employers eager to find new talent.