Lacking Passion in your Career – Try Squiggling!
7th August 2024
Only 36% of Irish professionals currently work in a field or role they’re passionate about.
This troubling statistic is one of the many findings of a recent poll conducted by Robert Walters, a leading global talent solutions firm. The study further revealed that ‘squiggly careers’ – a professional approach that focuses on acquiring varied experience and skills across multiple fields – may be the answer to enhancing job satisfaction and market resilience.
Suzanne Feeney, Country Manager of Robert Walters Ireland comments:
“Whilst true career passion is harder to come by, professionals who don’t feel motivated in their role or at least aligned to their companies mission can quickly spell trouble for business’ productivity and engagement levels.”
Passion lacking
In addition to findings that 64% of Irish professionals are currently in a role or field they aren’t passionate about, the poll also found that almost a quarter feel they are in the right industry but the wrong role, a further 14% think the reverse – they are in right role but within the wrong industry.
Only recently Gallup’s State of the Global Workforce report found that a mere 10% of professionals in Ireland are currently actively engaged in their work – placing it 31st in 38 EU countries in terms of levels of engagement.
Suzanne comments: “Despite the dwindling levels of productivity and satisfaction across the board, the current climate of an unsteady economy, stalled growth plans and squeezed budgets means that many professionals are hesitant to move from their current positions – fearing a ‘last one in, first one out attitude’ from new employers.”
Employer investment
80% of Irish employers have stated their preference for ‘jack-of-all-trades’ professionals – those with varied experience and skills, whilst only half (49%) of professionals say their current employer supports sideways moves within their organisation.
Suzanne comments:
“Offering professionals the opportunity to try different roles or work in diverse teams can reengage professionals with work whilst also allowing employers to cultivate the varied skills and experience they desire in their workforce.”
Continuous learning and experience-gaining
Professionals themselves are already increasingly considering sideways career moves, with just over two-fifths (42%) doing so to gain entry to a new industry or company, whilst an almost equal amount (38%) are considering them to expand or vary their current skillset, and a further 18% due to their current career growth being stalled.
Suzanne comments: “With cost-of-living crunches, the rise of generative AI and evolving tech causing additional disruption, there is a newfound pressure on professionals to ‘move with the times’ – this means arming themselves with in-demand skills and transferable experience.”
What’s important to professionals?
The Robert Walters poll also asked professionals, what was (after salary) the most important deciding factor to them when considering a new position – two-fifths (41%) said the team or company, followed by the skills and experience it offers (35%) and its remit/scope (17%).
Only a minority (7%) believed the job title or its positioning within the company org chart was important.
Suzanne comments: “Companies and teams play a pivotal role in a professional’s access to upskilling opportunities and interesting projects as well as visibility to promotion opportunities and progression routes – all of which can play a key part in professional’s improved career satisfaction.”
What’s the solution?
When asked about their ideal career approach, more than twice the amount of professionals opted for exploring multiple industries (35%) rather than climbing the ranks in one specific field or industry (13%).
However, over half (52%) opted for a combination of both approaches.
Suzanne comments:
“Embracing a squiggly approach to career progression allows professionals to both explore various career paths and adapt to the shifting demands of today’s dynamic job market – fortifying their careers for years to come.”
