The arrival of a new year often brings a renewed sense of purpose, encouraging reflection and motivating people to reconsider their goals for the next cycle, especially in the context of a heated job market. This trend is confirmed in the data from the lastRobert Half Confidence Index (RHI), which reveals that 54% of professionals plan to change jobs in 2025, representing an increase of four percentage points compared to the same period of the previous year.
The consecutive drops in unemployment rates, especially among qualified professionals, those over 25 years old with a college degree, have given greater prominence to workers in their professional relationships. According to data from the third quarter's Pnad, the unemployment rate for this segment of the population was 3.0% in the fourth quarter of 2024, the lowest since 2015.
“Exploring new opportunities and pursuing professional satisfaction will always be seen as something positive, without a doubt. However, it is necessary to have a strategic vision of one’s career, as professionals who frequently change jobs without convincing justifications may be misinterpreted by the market. The corporate environment is evolving and, more important than the length of time in each position, is demonstrating the growth and achievements obtained at each stage”, advises Fernando Mantovani, general director of Robert Half for South America.
What encourages the search for new horizons
Since the end of the pandemic, in particular, there has been a significant trend of professionals looking for new positions that better fit their values, goals and moments in life.
The survey also identified the motivation for transition among those who indicated an active search for new opportunities: 69% of respondents expressed an interest in changing organizations, while maintaining their professional area (a growth of five percentage points compared to January 2024), while 31% wanted to explore a new branch, segment or career.
Main reasons for the change
| Change of company | Change of area of activity, segment or profession |
| Better growth opportunities | Personal fulfillment |
| Higher salary | Quality of life |
| New challenges | Higher salary |
| More attractive benefits | Learn something new |
| Better balance between professional and personal | More flexibility |
(Source: 30th edition of the Robert Half Confidence Index)
What influences talent retention
In Fernando Mantovani's view, to remain competitive in this scenario, the challenge is daily, and companies must invest in clear work policies, in the transparency of leadership, in addition to good benefit and remuneration packages, in line with market averages, which can be consulted atRobert Half Salary Guide 2025.
The research also highlighted the motivation of those who want to stay in their jobs:
Factors that favor staying at the current company (the five most voted)
| Benefits and remuneration | 56% |
| Flexibility in the work model | 32% |
| Work environment and organizational culture | 32% |
| Work-life balance | 27% |
| Opportunities for professional growth and development | 27% |
(Source: 30th edition of the Robert Half Confidence Index)
"The outlook is favorable for professionals aligned with the current demands of organizations, which are fiercely competing for the best talents in the market. Considering that human capital is the most valuable resource of a company, I suggest that leadership adopt a strategic vision to avoid recognizing essential employees only when they are about to leave," concludes Mantovani.
A 30th edition of ICRHIt is the result of a survey conducted in November 2024. The survey considers qualified labor, consisting of 1,161 workers aged 25 and over with a complete higher education. The interviewees were divided into
