Gaby
A survey of 1,000 respondents from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany was conducted on behalf of the American company Resume Now, which helps individuals better position themselves during their job search.
According to the survey results, 59 percent of participants across various age groups regret not prioritizing their careers between work and personal life. Additionally, 60 percent of respondents expressed the most regret about never asking their management for a raise.
Overall, a significant majority of volunteers—66 percent—voiced some form of regret regarding their jobs. However, the highest levels of dissatisfaction were reported by middle-aged participants, with 70 percent of millennials and 69 percent of Generation X expressing their concerns.
In contrast, those just starting their careers (Generation Z) and those nearing retirement (baby boomers) reported the least amount of job-related regret, at 61 and 52 percent, respectively.
Men expressed more regret about job loss than women, with 44 percent compared to 34 percent.
Fifty-eight percent of all respondents regretted staying in jobs they disliked, while only 38 percent regretted leaving their jobs, according to the Daily Mail.
Fifty-three percent of volunteers regretted not speaking up at meetings, while 38 percent regretted having done so.
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. Almost all of them (54 percent) prioritized acquiring new skills in their current plans, while 45 percent aimed to find a new job.
About a quarter of respondents made a commitment to improve their professional qualifications, specifically through new certifications (23 percent) and expanding their network of professional contacts (25 percent).
Approximately one-fifth of surveyed workers plan to make significant career changes and/or find new jobs this year, with 18 percent hoping that their new positions will be remote.
Only a small number of participants (21 percent) indicated that they would finally ask for a higher salary 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 remarked.
