Dream job or career nightmare?

A research report by OPP July 2007

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Introduction Methodology Square pegs in round holes The rise of the career nomad Insight, hindsight and the drivers for change The misguided search for global talent Country snapshots - Belgium - Denmark - France - Netherlands - Republic of Ireland - UK Tips for employees Tips for employers

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8. 9.

career /kuh-reer/ –noun – an occupation or profession, esp. one requiring special training, followed as ones life’s work – a person’s progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking – success in a profession, occupation, etc.

Introduction

“If I had known more about myself in advance... then I would’ve done some things differently” – Dutch respondent

We undertook this research to understand whether working life meets the aspirations of employees in some of Europe’s key markets. What were people’s career hopes when they were young? Is it now a case of dreams fulfilled or daily grind? Are people making the best use of their natural talents and skills? Crucially, what support are they getting at key decision points in their lives and in their work to help their ongoing development? The results provide dramatic confirmation of the rise of the restless ‘career nomad’: a job for life is not only dead and buried, but multiple career changes are also becoming the norm – whatever your sex, age or nationality. Such flexibility and opportunity is welcome, but our research also identified an underlying career malaise or dissatisfaction, which should be cause for concern. Overwhelmingly, people feel they have not yet found their niche, are in the wrong jobs and are not tapping into their potential. With next to none pursuing the paths of young dreams, most regret their career choices and would do it differently a second time around – although some nations are