Although winter is considered a "quiet" period in the labor market, at the beginning of the year, many job seekers feel the urge to change jobs. The platform headhunter.kg conducted a survey among more than 450 job seekers in Kyrgyzstan to find out the reasons for this phenomenon: is it a result of emotional states after a busy year, fatigue, or purposeful planning of the next career step? Here’s what they found out.
What winter circumstances influence the desire to change jobs?
Season does not influence - 43%.
New beginnings at the start of the year - 29%.
Year-end results: "I deserve more" - 29%.
Financial difficulties after the holidays - 14%.
Fatigue and lack of recovery after the holidays - 11%.
Short daylight hours affect energy and motivation - 11%.
Other reasons - 5%.
Conclusion. For 43% of respondents, seasonality is not a significant factor in the decision to change jobs. At the same time, almost a third of respondents (29% each) associate their thoughts about changing jobs with New Year symbols and a reevaluation of their achievements, while 14% point to the financial consequences of the holidays.
In what emotional state does the thought of changing jobs arise?
When I reflect on my goals for the year and realize that I need to change something in my career - 47%.
After a conflict with a supervisor or a difficult conversation - 27%.
When I see the successes of others or news about job changes - 16%.
I don’t have such thoughts yet - 15%.
At the end of the workday, when I’m out of energy - 9%.
After the New Year holidays, returning to work - 5%.
Other reasons - 4%.
Conclusion. Almost half of the respondents (47%) associate the idea of changing jobs with a reevaluation of their goals. 27% of respondents come to this conclusion after difficult communication with management, while 16% are influenced by the successful examples of others.
What will be the signal for active actions, rather than just reflections?
I will see suitable vacancies and real conditions - 52%.
A clear goal and plan will appear: where and why - 32%.
I will reach my limit of patience - 27%.
I will understand my market value (salary, demand) - 25%.
Probably, I won’t change jobs in the coming months - 9%.
Other reasons - 1%.
Conclusion. The main factor for making the decision to change jobs remains the presence of suitable vacancies - noted by 52% of respondents. A clear action plan (32%) and reaching the limit of patience (27%) are also important.
Is this an emotional impulse or a calculation?
More of a calculation: I understand the reasons and see the next step - 40%.
50/50: emotions play a role, but the decision is conscious - 37%.
This is a reaction to a specific event or situation - 21%.
More of an emotion: it has built up, and I want to change everything suddenly - 15%.
Just a "background": sometimes I think about it, but without specific plans - 7%.
I don’t understand yet - 5%.
Conclusion. The majority of job seekers view the desire to change jobs as a justified decision: 40% consider it a rational step, while 37% see a combination of emotions and calculations. A purely emotional impulse is noted by 15% of respondents.
How do job seekers behave in the job market during winter?
I respond selectively, without haste - 46%.
I just browse job vacancies - 23%.
I save interesting offers but do not respond - 17%.
I actively respond and go to interviews - 15%.
I read the requirements and understand that "it's too early" - 12%.
I do not apply for jobs at all in winter - 8%.
Conclusion. Almost half of the job seekers (46%) engage in a moderately active job search during winter, responding selectively. Every fourth (23%) simply monitors the job market, while 8% of respondents completely exclude themselves from the job search process.
Overall conclusion
The survey results show that the desire to change jobs in winter is more often related not to seasonal factors but to a reevaluation of one’s goals and expectations. For most job seekers, this is not a spontaneous decision but a thoughtful process where understanding the market, the presence of suitable vacancies, and readiness for the next step play an important role. During the "quiet" season, the labor market continues to be in the spotlight of job seekers, and the beginning of the year becomes a moment for internal analysis and planning.
