FlexJobs Launches Campaign To Help Career Changers
Boulder, CO (PRWEB) March 23, 2015 -- According to a new survey of over 1,000 professionals, uncertainty about how to initiate a career change deters workers interested in pursuing new opportunities nearly as much as financial concerns. The survey, conducted by telecommuting and flexible job search service, FlexJobs, found that the top three factors holding people back from changing careers were money/cost considerations (52%), not being sure where to begin (45%) and education or training for a new career (45%).
To help guide job seekers who are interested in exploring career change options, FlexJobs has launched 100 Days on Jobs for Career Changers to provide 100 consecutive days of free career advice, resources, and webinars. Articles are posted to FlexJobs’ Career Changers blog section and will cover career change in its various forms, such as changing industries, changing jobs, and even changing flexible work options.
"While financial concerns can create an obstacle to embarking on a career change, an uncertainty of where or how to start the process also proves to be a major stumbling block for many,” says Sara Sutton Fell, founder and CEO of FlexJobs. "The campaign’s objective is to equip job seekers not only with practical advice and resources from our team and other experts, but also provide encouragement so they have the confidence they need to successfully transition.”
Work flexibility is also a significant factor for career changer. 72 percent of respondents say they would definitely change careers to find better work flexibility. The survey also found that work-life balance (59 percent) was the top reason for seeking career change, followed by a desire for more meaningful work (47 percent), stress from their current career (40 percent), and money or cost savings (37 percent).
76 percent of respondents predicted changing careers would have a positive impact on their personal relationships and 84 percent thought changing careers would allow them to be healthier/take better care of themselves. Among other findings, 100 percent telecommuting remains the most popular choice for flexible work (46 percent), with flexible schedules a second preference (20 percent). The full results of the survey can be viewed on the FlexJobs’ blog: http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/like-career-changers-survey-results/
The 100 Days on Jobs for Career Changers campaign includes:
Lists of Great Companies and Jobs for Career Changers
Ideas and inspiration for new, flexible careers
Who’s hiring and what they’re offering
Job Search and Career Advice with a Career Change Twist
Career planning, exploration, job searching, resumes and cover letters, portfolios, interviewing and pitching, finding jobs, networking, salary negotiation, skill building, and more
Tailored tips for young professionals, mid-career pros, and older workers and retirees
Stories of successful career changers with advice you can use
Free Special Events
Webinars featuring career change experts to provide guidance and answer your questions
Videos related to exploring and changing careers
Guest content from career change experts like Marc Miller of Career Pivot, Mark Dyson of the Voice of Job Seekers, Noel Griffith of CareersWiki, Evan Guzman of Verizon, and many others.
Below are two examples of FlexJobs’ members that successfully made a career change.
Transitioned from telecommunications to software: Jill worked in the telecommunications industry for years as a program manager but she wanted to expand her industry exposure and needed more flexibility than her current role offered. Her story here: http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/job-seekers-changes-industries-with-a-full-time-remote-job/
Took retirement on the road with a remote job: Juli from Ft. Wayne, Indiana had a part-time job teaching but realized she wanted to find something with more flexibility so she could enjoy her retirement. Her story here: http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/woman-finds-retirement-job-to-help-with-bucket-list/
*Demographic breakdown of respondents: Age: 7 percent between 20-29 years old; 26 percent between 30-39 years old; 33 percent between 40-49; 25 percent between 50-59; 9 percent 60 and older. Highest education: 49 percent with an associate or bachelor degree; 30 percent with a graduate degree; 18 percent with some college but no degree and 3 percent GED. Career level: 6 percent Entry-level; 60 percent Experienced (non-manager) and 34 percent Manager or Executive.
To request additional information, please contact Kathy Gardner at kgardner[at]flexjobs[dot]com.
About FlexJobs
FlexJobs is the leading online service for professionals seeking telecommuting, flexible schedule, part-time, and freelance jobs. With flexible job listings in over 100 career categories, and opportunities ranging from entry-level to executive, freelance to full-time, FlexJobs offers job-seekers a safe, easy, and efficient way to find professional and legitimate flexible job listings. Having helped over one million people in their job searches, FlexJobs has has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, Marketplace Money, and many other trusted media outlets. FlexJobs is also a proud partner in the 1 Million for Work Flexibility initiative, which seeks to unite people advocating for work flexibility.
Kathy Gardner, FlexJobs, http://www.flexjobs.com, +1 (203) 253-9531, [email protected]
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