51% of employees recently changed career paths. How are they doing it?

The days of a single career for life are fading fast. In its place? A dynamic dance of talent mobility that around half of the workforce are taking part in.?

When we asked 1,500 employees about occupational mobility, 51% of them told us they’d switched from one department or profession to another in the past 12 months.

?? In this edition of #CuttheBS, we’ll give you the rundown on how and why talent mobility is so high.

Why are employees switching lanes? ??

Career switching isn't just about employees chasing a higher paycheck; it's about passion, upskilling, and a search for purpose. Members of the modern workforce are hungry for growth and eager to reskill.

Andre Ochoa - Product Leadership , project manager at Knokcare, weighs in: "The increasing trend of career switches could be attributed to several factors. Rapid technological advancements, evolving job market demands, and the desire for more fulfilling and purpose-driven roles might be driving individuals to explore new career paths. Additionally, the pandemic has prompted many to reevaluate their priorities, seeking greater flexibility and alignment between their skills and passions.”

How are they doing it? ??

When we asked the 51% of career-shifters how they made the switch, the results were as follows:

? 38% completed skills-based tests

? 33% completed work samples or assignments

? And 53% completed role-specific Q&As during interviews

The common thread? Skills. Pure, unadulterated skills – and a skills-based approach to hiring.?

When we asked employers about the benefits of skills-based hiring, 66% of them answered that skills-based tests let them see the potential of a candidate, rather than just the experience they’ve had so far.?

This data becomes even more significant when we consider how many passionate, skilled, and enthusiastic individuals have hit a wall when their formal qualifications or past experience overshadow their actual abilities. In fact, 42% of the employees we surveyed faced rejection due to this very reason.

Skills-based hiring: The unsung hero behind talent mobility? ??

Both employers and employees in 2023 are seeing the power of skills-based hiring. With so much talent eager to reskill, upskill, and update their careers, it’s clear that we need it more than ever.?

Want to dig deeper into the data behind the 21st century’s greatest hiring trend? There’s plenty more where this came from – head to our 2023 State of Skills-Based Hiring report and dive straight in.

??Join the conversation: Have you recently changed your career path? What inspired your move? Share your experiences in the comments below!