# FlexJobs Survey: Nearly Half of Workers Recently Changed or Plan to Change Jobs in Next Six Months

# Last Modification Date: Aug 10, 2026

Aug 10, 2026 

Employer Ghosting and Lengthy Application Processes Among Top Frustrations for Job Seekers, As Candidates Prioritize Remote Work and Better Pay

![](https://www.tradeandindustrydev.com/sites/tradeandindustrydev.com/files/styles/details_page_image_style/public/2026-08/dreamstimesmall_47636649.jpg?itok=XQK9ndIC "FlexJobs Survey: Nearly Half of Workers Recently Changed or Plan to Change Jobs in Next Six Months") 

According to [FlexJobs®’ State of the Job Search Report](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC5wdKE0ppCBmZk-2BT5Xb3OerxPrAJ2pfLdW1lf1oayM3QNQHcS48n0wp8KJFqnbfZ61y502Qy9iu566sHdxHrnJ0-3DxkCr_XCWHdjXTSO9X6TNLmL-2FAEitUm9-2Fk1DYpajf2ROa5b7eSSXuhKh-2Ft0u5Z02UvZZt5crNdNnGCZ3OvX-2Bs7tmCsNIQfT9FB9o4cr4vy9YqO4fbAH1-2FKwdy27bJLa4fFOrAkeFLWpHVchW4c03KgFDvWNCJk3jTV3TUNT3RGHB5cyq8gRtKp9NlMxh73hx3VVGr7g89I4AdAhWN8LhfuR8cyzJWK-2BZp9G1o6ffJveh2-2Ba7NS5-2BsqgZff5pQSxO0-2FdPVfXmHWHuBcMfpPFavbfhkR-2FEe3j6GNNMS6EfjVnH-2Fi2awFQ12pf6-2B58HPomiw8ltiVE5lhdsoMSU64lFPfMka31dE5OlmD2EIUibMmQSu2Beg-3D) polling 1,700 workers, nearly half (49%) said they have changed or are planning to change jobs within the next six months. At the same time, today’s workers are investing significant time and effort into finding new career opportunities, but many report that the job search process has become one of their biggest challenges due to lengthy application processes, ghosting from employers, and difficulty finding relevant positions.

“The way we look for jobs has changed, and in many ways, is proving to be more and more difficult for workers across all career levels,” said Keith Spencer, Career Expert at FlexJobs. “To be competitive in the current job market, candidates need to be more proactive and strategic than ever before, whether that’s being more intentional about what they're willing to accept, targeting the employers that align with their career goals, leveraging their professional networks for opportunities, or staying persistent through lengthier hiring timelines.”

After Pay, Remote Work the Top Factor Driving Job Change

For career changers, some of the primary reasons they would leave a job were higher pay (28%) and remote work (24%), followed by work-life balance (14%), better management or workplace culture (8%), greater job security (7%), and career advancement (6%).

Similarly when deciding whether to apply for a new job opportunity, over three-quarters (76%) of workers prioritize remote work options when applying to roles, making it the most influential job factor and benefit offered by potential employers. Other leading factors cited were:

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Salary and compensation (66%)  
Flexible schedules (60%)  
Work-life balance (53%)  
Meaningful work (46%)  
Benefits (44%)  
Paid time off (31%)  
Career growth opportunities (31%)

Most Look for New Jobs Daily, Despite Job Search Frustrations

FlexJobs’ report found that job searching has become a regular habit for most professionals. More than half (52%) of workers search for new employment opportunities every day, including 37% who search multiple times per day and 15% who search at least once daily. Remaining responded searched for new roles:

A few times per week (26%)  
A few times per month (11%)  
Rarely or once per week (11%)

When asked what they found most challenging about their job search, 61% of workers said the lack of response from employers, followed by the difficulty of finding relevant roles (54%). Other leading frustrations shared were:

Lengthy or repetitive applications (47%)  
Unclear salary or compensation information (31%)  
Writing cover letters (21%)

Career Confidence Is Mixed, But Majority Are Honest on Job Applications

While workers remain active in the job market, confidence in their career prospects is divided. Thirty-five percent say they feel about as confident as they did one year ago, while 36% report feeling less confident, and 29% say they feel more confident.

Despite the uncertainty and increased job search pressures, most workers (52%) said they have never exaggerated or altered information on a resume or cover letter. For the remaining 48% who who have made changes, some of the most common revisions included:

Omitting certain roles or experiences (25%)  
Using generic or template language (18%)  
Overstating skills or exaggerating responsibilities (13%)  
Adjusting employment dates (9%)  
Inflating years of experience (5%)

For more information, please visit [https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/job-search-statistics](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC5wdKE0ppCBmZk-2BT5Xb3OerxPrAJ2pfLdW1lf1oayM3QNQHcS48n0wp8KJFqnbfZ61y502Qy9iu566sHdxHrnJ0-3DX3aP_XCWHdjXTSO9X6TNLmL-2FAEitUm9-2Fk1DYpajf2ROa5b7eSSXuhKh-2Ft0u5Z02UvZZt5crNdNnGCZ3OvX-2Bs7tmCsNIQfT9FB9o4cr4vy9YqO4fbAH1-2FKwdy27bJLa4fFOrAkeFLWpHVchW4c03KgFDvWNCJk3jTV3TUNT3RGHB5cyq8gRtKp9NlMxh73hx3VVGr7g89I4AdAhWN8LhfuR8cyzGxIvWed13qHpBviWS6Gq-2BoHR7cH5In8ho7wHFqfpk0Y9b5swPtCAUYv8zitCpphdV1bi6i2VmZUz6NR9TNBFDrxPWuXjaFCSNg6up0S3qAPsd1u-2FiB9rg6Znr9EErosDYGA4Odc6lXpbuMehjlv5j8-3D) or contact Shanna Briggs (shanna.briggs@bold.com).

Methodology: Demographic breakdown of the 1,701 respondents: Gender: women (70%), men (27%), prefer not to identify (2%), prefer to self-describe (1%); Generation: Gen Z (7%), millennial/Gen Y (26%), Gen X (43%), baby boomer (23%), silent generation (1%); Education: less than a high school degree (1%), high school degree or equivalent (14%), some college but no degree (23%), associate's degree (14%), bachelor's degree (30%), graduate degree (18%); Career level: entry-level (15%), experienced (51%), manager (17%), senior-level manager (13%), executive (4%); 32 percent had children 18 or younger living at home with them. FlexJobs created the survey, which was promoted to general audiences and its subscribers/members primarily through social media and newsletters. FlexJobs used a multiple choice and multi-select question format via SurveyMonkey's online platform. The survey ran from June 9-22, 2026.

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