IT workers are "job flirts", survey finds

gallery

IT staff are always on the lookout for another job, according to a new survey.

The "Work in Progress: Jobseekers survey", carried out by polling firm Loudhouse Research, surveyed over 1,000 UK workers across the UK and found that nearly half (48 per cent) of workers in IT have applied for a job or registered with a recruitment agency in the past 12 months. Despite this, over two-thirds (68 per cent) reckon they will still be in the same job 12 months from now.

According to the study, IT employees are knowledgeable about what they look for in a new job and are intent on finding companies that can offer the best deal. However, money was not necessarily the main priority for job seekers.

Top factors that attract job seekers to a new company or role are interesting or challenging work (89 per cent) and friendly environment (84 per cent).

As IT workers use the internet as part of their daily work life, the survey unsurprisingly found that this was the top tool for seeking a new job. The research revealed that 60 per cent of job seekers found searching through company websites the most effective way of finding a new job.

Steven Kirkpatrick, managing director of Adecco, the company that sponsored the survey, said that the internet has created a "new generation of career traders".

"In the past, job hunters would be more reticent at seeking out their perfect job match however we are now seeing a more proactive approach, with job seekers scanning for the best deals," said Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick said that many employees will be happy to stay in their jobs if the company is meeting its commitments.

"However if these are not met, and IT businesses choose to ignore these findings, today's promiscuous nature of job seeking will cause companies serious talent loss, high staff attrition and loss of ground in the ever increasing battle to attract the best new recruits," he added.

Email to a friend

Print this page