Nearly 90% of UK workers looking for a new job

A survey of over 5,000 UK workers has revealed that as many as 89% of people are currently looking for a new job for a fresh start in 2021.

The Totaljobs survey shows that 77% of respondents started looking for a role in December and a further one in 10 (11%) have said they’ll start looking this month.

According to the leading job board, the pandemic seems to have put people’s careers into sharp perspective, resulting in many looking for a new start in 2021.

Worryingly, as many as 66% of those surveyed said that they continue to fear for their job security – 57% believe it will take them up to three months to find a new job and over a quarter (26%) feel it’s likely they will become unemployed in 2021.

Jon Wilson, Totaljobs’ CEO, commented on the findings, “2020 was a tough year for the jobs market, and while we’ve seen increased activity on Totaljobs from businesses actively recruiting, for those looking for work, the challenge of having to stand out from the crowd remains.”

Wilson added, “That’s why it’s such a positive sign that we’re seeing so many people picking up extra skills and qualifications during lockdown. This shows a willingness to keep their progression on track or learn new, transferable skills required to be employable in a different industry.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen workers setting new standards for their employment conditions. The rise of remote working has seen candidates move around the country or even relocate outside the UK to find work. The coming months will reveal how much more of an impact the pandemic and Brexit will have on people’s attitudes towards their jobs, their location and their employment terms.

“While the full impact of the pandemic will remain unclear for the time being, what we do know is that workers have experienced a huge strain on their working lives during 2020. It is perhaps no surprise that they will be seeking a fresh start and new opportunities in the months to come.”

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