70% Fewer Workers Quitting to Job Hunt, But Career Gaps Due to Health and Family Are Rising

New cover data from MyPerfectResume®, a leading career service platform, reveals that workers in 2025 are significantly less likely to quit their jobs to search for new opportunities compared to 2024. However, employment gaps caused by medical issues and family responsibilities are increasing, highlighting shifting priorities among job seekers.

Based on an analysis of 33,000 cover letters in the MyPerfectResume database created between January and February 2024 and January and February 2025, the Fewer Workers Quitting to Job Hunt report signals a shift in job search behavior. Workers are prioritizing stability over risk, opting to stay employed while looking for their next role. At the same time, more job seekers are pausing their careers due to personal health challenges and caregiving duties, raising concerns about workplace support policies.

Key Findings

• 70% decrease in job seekers quitting before searching for a new job.
• 14% overall increase in medical-related career gaps.
• 12% rise in childcare-related employment gaps.
• 36% more mobile job seekers reported work gaps in 2025 compared to 2024.
• 4% decrease in employment gaps among desktop users.
   

Job Security Over Job Hopping

The trend of quitting a job before securing a new one is fading. Compared to last year:

• Overall, job seekers are 70% less likely to resign before finding a new role.
• Early-career workers are 63% less likely to leave a job for job searching.
• Mid-to-late career workers are 70% less likely to leave for job searching.

The Rise of Medical and Caregiving Career Gaps

While job seekers are staying employed longer, more are pausing their careers for personal reasons:

• Medical-related career gaps increased by 14% overall.
• Early-career workers saw a 20% rise in medical-related gaps, while mid-to-late career workers experienced a 22% increase.
• Childcare-related career gaps increased by 12%.
• Early-career workers saw an 18% rise in childcare gaps, while mid-to-late career workers experienced a 9% increase.

“The days of quitting a job before searching for a new one may be fading,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. “At the same time, we’re seeing more people step away from work for health or family reasons, underscoring the growing need for companies to provide flexible work arrangements, paid leave, and better support systems.”

Mobile vs. Desktop Job Seekers: A Growing Divide

A notable shift is emerging between mobile and desktop job seekers. Mobile users—often younger professionals and gig workers—are more likely to report employment gaps:

• Early-career mobile users saw a 43% increase in work history gaps.
• Mid-to-late career mobile users experienced a 17% rise.
• Desktop users reported 4% fewer employment gaps, suggesting greater job stability.

What This Means for Employers & Job Seekers

With job seekers prioritizing job security, employers may see fewer voluntary resignations, but should also expect candidates to conduct stealth job searches while employed. Meanwhile, rising medical and caregiving gaps highlight the need for more flexible work policies to support employees balancing career and personal responsibilities.

To view the full report and more information, please visit https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/careers/basics/fewer-workers-quitting-job-hunt or contact Nathan Barber, public relations specialist, at nathan.barber@bold.com.

Methodology

The findings in this report are based on an analysis of 33,000 cover letters created on MyPerfectResume’s platform between January and February 2024 and January and February 2025. The cover letters were examined for references to employment gaps, reasons for leaving jobs, and job search behaviors. The data was aggregated and analyzed to identify trends in voluntary resignations, job security concerns, and career gaps related to medical and caregiving responsibilities.