Resume Now, a U.S. company that helps people position themselves during job searches, commissioned a survey of 1,000 respondents in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
Fifty-nine percent said they regret not prioritizing their careers over their personal lives. Sixty percent named their biggest regret as never asking their manager for a raise.
Overall, 66 percent of respondents voiced some form of regret about their jobs. The highest levels of dissatisfaction came from middle-aged groups: 70 percent of millennials and 69 percent of Generation X reported job-related regret.
In contrast, those just starting their careers (Generation Z) and those nearing retirement (baby boomers) reported the least job-related regret, at 61 percent and 52 percent, respectively.
Men reported more regret about job loss than women did—44 percent of men versus 34 percent of women.
Fifty-eight percent of all respondents regretted staying in jobs they disliked, while only 38 percent regretted leaving a job, according to the Daily Mail.
Fifty-three percent of respondents regretted not speaking up at meetings, while 38 percent regretted speaking up.
Fortunately, as career expert Heather O’Neil noted, if you’re struggling with your career, it’s never too late to make a change. After all, “change doesn’t happen on its own.”
On Plans and New Skills
Fifty-five percent of respondents reported having at least one career-related intention for 2024. Of those, 54 percent prioritized acquiring new skills, while 45 percent planned to look for a new job.
About a quarter of respondents said they would improve their professional qualifications through new certifications (23 percent) and by expanding their professional networks (25 percent).
Approximately one-fifth of surveyed workers plan to make significant career changes or find new jobs this year, with 18 percent hoping for a remote position.
Only 21 percent said they’d finally ask for a raise in 2024.
“People who acted cautiously by staying in unsatisfactory positions or not asking for raises regretted it more than those who took action to improve their situation,” Heather O’Neil said.
