A growing number of employees are experiencing frustration and stagnation in their current roles, with nearly two-thirds of workers reporting feeling trapped in their positions, according to a recent Glassdoor survey of over 3,000 professionals.
The sentiment is particularly strong among technology and advertising sector employees, who express mounting dissatisfaction with their career prospects. This widespread feeling of being stuck comes as career satisfaction levels have been declining since 2022, following the post-pandemic hiring surge known as the Great Resignation.
"The disconnect between economists praising job market strength and workers' actual experiences is striking," notes Daniel Zhao, senior economist at Glassdoor. "Many employees feel limited in their ability to advance, secure raises, or find more suitable positions."
The current job market shows concerning signs, with quit rates falling below 2% - a sharp decline from the approximately 3% seen during the Great Resignation period. While workers desire change, opportunities remain scarce in the current environment.
However, the landscape could shift as companies develop their hiring strategies for 2025. Some sectors, particularly housing, real estate, and technology, may see increased activity following Federal Reserve interest rate adjustments.
An interesting trend has emerged where more professionals are willing to accept pay cuts for lateral moves. In 2024, 17% of job-changers took reduced compensation, up from 15% in 2023 and 14% in 2019. This pattern is especially prevalent among managers, with some voluntarily stepping back into individual contributor roles.
"Many current managers find their roles increasingly stressful, particularly following layoffs where they've inherited additional responsibilities," Zhao explains. The pressure has led some to reconsider their career paths entirely.
Despite the challenging outlook, experts suggest that strategic lateral moves can still benefit long-term career growth. While such transitions may not immediately increase earnings, they can provide valuable experience in new environments and contexts, potentially leading to better opportunities in the future.
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