Money and lifestyle driving career change among Indians

A little more than half of all Indian workers are likely to switch careers in the next five years, revealed a study by Kelly Services, a workforce solutions company. The trigger was a need for higher income and lifestyle issues.

Kelly Global Workforce Index, interviewed approximately 97,000 workers across 30 countries, including India. The main factor driving the change in career is the need for improved work-life balance, followed by the need for higher income and changing personal interests, said 36 per cent, 23 per cent and 21 per cent of those polled, respectively.

“The career change trends we are witnessing clearly demonstrate higher appetite for risk among employees, as well as today’s employees becoming less tolerant to expectation mismatch. Today, we see that a surprisingly large number of people are actively considering this critical issue of changing careers and making a fresh start and progression for lucrative future prospects,” said Kamal Karanth, managing director, Kelly Services India.
 

CHANGE AROUND

* Workers in the oil & gas, utilities, travel and leisure sectors are more likely to go for a career change

* 55% respondents anticipate a change in their career in the next five years 

* 94% of respondents aspire for an executive position

* Better work-life balance is the primary factor

Almost 75 per cent of respondents said a major reason for a change in career was that they could resume at the same level after taking a break for maternity or paternity leave, illness or extended holidays.