the 2022 job shift: 3 new opportunities that can impact your next career decision.

New job? New career? Old job but new opportunity? What you need to know to navigate the job opportunity shifts in the new year.

The new year brings with it new beginnings and new opportunities. And in 2022, those new opportunities can look completely different than we're used to. Let's break down the three main categories of the 2022 Job Shift:

a new job

If the thought of finding a new gig has been dancing in your head — don't worry — you’re not alone.?37 percent of workers told us they changed jobs during the pandemic, and the more recent?one in four?who reported it was still on their minds.

We saw respondents change roles for a variety of reasons ranging from compensation to workplace culture. According to our survey, the most-cited reasons employees left in 2020 were:

• compensation (42%)
• perks and benefits (30%)
• remote work opportunities (23%)
• workplace culture (23%)

So is now the right time for you to make a switch? There's a lot of unique job-search advantages that have only been made possible by the current moment, but there are still important drawbacks to consider.

click: the big switch: is now the right time to change jobs?

a new career

Navigating a career change is never easy. But with?U.S. job openings at a record high, there has objectively never been a better time to challenge yourself, take meaningful steps towards a career change and capitalize on all of the opportunity.To figure out which role and field is the best fit for you, start by answering questions like the following:

• What things do I do best at work?
• What parts of my personality would I like my job to showcase?
• What about my work do I genuinely enjoy? Why is that the case?
• What elements of the job feel rewarding?
• What training or experience do I have that could be applied in other roles or fields?
• What kind of management style do I prefer?
• What type of physical work environments appeal to me?
• Would I rather work onsite, remotely or a little bit of both??

explore: career change is another new normal — here's how (and why) to do it.

the boomerang

Had a former manager reach out to you about a vacancy at your old company? Noticed that departed colleagues are now returning, perhaps in a freelance capacity? If so, you certainly aren’t alone. In fact, the phenomenon known as "boomeranging" — returning to work for a former employer — is booming right now. Since the onset of the global pandemic, in fact, the number of boomerang hires, as a percentage of all new hires, has skyrocketed more than 15 percent. Along the way, a practice once regarded as risky, or downright taboo, has become something like another new normal.

learn more: the year of the boomerang: tips to jumpstart your return journey in 2022

key takeaways: how to stick the landing

Whichever of these opportunities you choose, you will want to be prepared for what comes next. But before settling down for your next big interview, spend some time brainstorming answers to questions like the following.??

• Has COVID-19 changed your career goals or where you see yourself, say, five years from now??
• How effectively do you think you’ve managed your time while working from home??
• Has your productivity increased or decreased? Why do you think that has been the case??
• What are you doing to hold yourself accountable for work deliverables these days?
• What do “teamwork” and “collaboration” mean to you in the context of remote work??
• From a communications standpoint, what has changed between you and your colleagues since the start of the pandemic??
• Have you used this time to enhance your skill set or learn new competencies??
• What kind of processes did you and your team have to implement in order to make the switch to working from home??
• How have you stayed connected to your manager or direct reports during the past 12 months or so? Do you see any challenges or opportunities there??
• Looking ahead, are you willing to return to fully onsite work? If so, would you rather return on a part-time or full-time basis??

click to read: how to wow: job interview tips, tricks and hacks.

Subscribe for more information about your next hire, your next job search, or how to make a meaningful impact in your workplace.