Alongside its insightful annual salary survey, Be-IT also measures digital workers’ career paths. Using data from their extensive candidate database, the survey examines figures related to job moves, planned moves and the motivation behind these decisions. It also explores the shifting trends in how individuals utilise different channels to find new opportunities in the job market.

Increase in Numbers Moving Jobs

When compared with 2016, it becomes clear there was greater movement in the market, people moving once or more than once increased from 38% in 2016 to 48% in 2018. Be-IT predicts that there will be further growth in the number moving jobs in 2018.

In the aftermath of Brexit, recruitment slowed down in the second half of 2016 and while 47% of candidates said they intended to move jobs in the first half of 2017, 48% actually moved. After this dip the market picked up once confidence was somewhat re-established.

Small Decrease in Planned Moves

When respondents were asked if they planned to move jobs, those who do not want to move fell from 29% in 2016 to 24% in 2017. However, this figure increased again with one third now saying that they don’t intend to look for a new job in the first half of 2018. This suggests that skilled candidates are happy to stay put unless made a more enticing offer.

Those who are undecided about moving job in 2018 decreased marginally, from 29% in 2017 to 24% in 2018.

Reasons to Stay in a Job

Job loyalty was another factor, while some said it was loyalty to a specific project or team. Others said that employers had begun to realise the real risk and cost of losing key IT individuals, so their bosses are essentially buying them to retain their skills and talent.

Be-IT believes that the current trend of people moving jobs every two years is at the moment mid-cycle, which is another reason why fewer people are opting to change jobs.

Push Factors for Moving

Fewer candidates wanted to move sideways (taking a job at the same level but wanting to work for another company) decreasing from 38% in 2016 to 21% in 2017. This drop is likely to relate to better retention schemes and workers being more content.

Individuals moving for a promotion increased from 23% in 2016 to 31% in 2017. The numbers being promoted internally experienced a similar boost, from 10% in 2016 to 21% in 2017. Be-IT attributes this change to the severe shortages of talent in IT, which has resulted in companies’ counter-offering to retain staff, especially at more junior levels.

The number of those moving for a change remained stable, with 25% respondents citing this as their motivation. Be-IT believes this should be a wake-up call to HR teams and line managers to make working environments more appealing. Due to the high demand for skilled IT workers the number moving due to demotion decreased, from 4% in 2016 to 2% in 2017.

Why Candidates Will Move in 2018

The most significant change was those wanting to move job for an external promotion at another company:this decreased from 35% in 2017 to 30% in 2018. However, those wanting to move upwards internally at their current company increased from 17% to 21%. Individuals looking to move sideways or move downwards in 2018 decreased.

 Channels to the IT Job Market

Although those using recruitment consultants has decreased it remains the top choice for IT job seekers. There has been an increase in the use of social media, job boards and print media. Be-IT speculates that the increase in print media is a result of an increase in public sector advertising.

Direct approaches to employers has remained consistent with candidates saying, “why would you not?”. The other category, which includes personal networks, word of mouth and self-advertisement has decreased 57.89%.