According to recent research from Robert Half, more than 50 percent of HR professionals intend to make a career move in the first quarter of 2023.

In addition, 46% of respondents to the company's biannual Job Optimism Survey of more than 2,500 professionals in the United States said they are presently looking for work or expecting to have a job in the first half of 2023

The survey revealed an increase from the 41% seen six months earlier. And the people who are most likely to have a career move are:

• Ages 18 to 25 (60%)
• Professionals in human resources (58%)
• Employees who have been in the same company for 2 to 4 years (55%)
• Working parents (53%)

The main reason why 61% of respondents answered they planned to make a career move is because of the better compensation. Similarly, good rewards and perks (37%) and more freedom at work (36%), on the other hand, are other aspects to consider.

Amidst the reports of corporations imposing hiring restrictions and layoffs, the number of workers wanting to leave their positions is rising. After cutting its workforce owing to the uncertain global economy, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has stated that it is extending its hiring freeze until the first quarter of 2023. Disney has announced that it is also freezing specific hires to reduce the number of new employees.

However, according to Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half, these reports don't appear to have an impact on departing employees.

"Noise about hiring freezes and layoffs at some organizations hasn't seemed to scare workers, as many are just as positive in their work prospects as they were six months ago," he added. 

So as the labor market is still tight and competitive, professionals are eager to explore new and more rewarding career choices.

How to Attract and Recruit Moving Employees

How to attract and recruit moving employees

According to the study, nearly three in 10 individuals who plan to leave their companies indicated they intend to pursue a full-time contracting career. On the other hand, four in 10 said they would probably return to a previous company if offered an equivalent or higher salary than their current one.

As per the survey, firms should "refine and simplify hiring procedures and demonstrate their corporate culture" to attract workers who are trying to move out. They should also avoid the following dealbreakers for job candidates:

• Work duties that are unclear or unfair (56%)
• Communication issues with the recruiting manager (50%)
• Incompatibility with the corporate culture and principles (36%)

Whatever happens, businesses can't take their foot off the pedal when it comes to gaining trust, fostering engagement with remaining employees, and providing a positive experience for potential hires, according to McDonald. "The employment landscape is shifting and changing every day, and it will be interesting to see how the following months pan out," he concluded.