Why Change Jobs?

MONEY vs CAREER vs SYDNEY!

(Another glorious day in the life of a grey haired BIM recruiter : c/o JohnsonBIM)

 

It’s rarely just one thing that makes us want to change jobs. It’s usually partly about the money, partly career progression. But is REAL quality of life more important now?

Over the past year two key factors have emerged in our world of BIM recruitment – the concern over job security and the desire for a better quality of life. The former has caused a major decline in the availability of experienced BIM talent with a healthy pipeline of recession proof projects now a key driver for anyone looking to move. So, you’d think opportunities we have with the likes of HS2 (see here) would be easy to fill then…?

…Well, yes, but this is where Quality of Life is becoming much more important. Obviously having enough money to pay the mortgage and heat the place is highest on the priority list. But, so is job satisfaction – will the opportunity keep your career progressing in the right direction and, increasingly important, will you be spending more or less time at work (including the commute (when the trains are running).

Only the opportunities that tick all these boxes are successfully attracting good BIM talent in the current market. We are seeing more and more companies adapting to fit what scarce talent is now looking for – rhybrid working and career mapping – frequently, without having to offer big pay rises to outshine the competition. Not everyone is just chasing the money!

BUT, will the more adventurous start a trend for a much BIGGER quality of life change? Not just for them but their families. And not just at work but outside work…

This brings me onto the rising demand for UK grown BIM talent overseas and, particularly, in Australia. It’s not just a childhood dream of mine to live there, Australian cities consistently rank higher than any in the UK. Australia excels when it comes to life expectancy, health, standard of living and educational standards.

Over the past few months, with BIM talent even scarcer down-under, we have seen a significant rise in good BIM opportunities – with leading global players keen to increase their local capability with UK BIM intelligence.

And, while awareness and the number of people applying for these roles remains low, salaries are very generous. Particularly in Sydney where the shortage is greatest – up to 30% higher than in London.

For example, this Senior BIM Manager role in Sydney is paying up to £110k GBP (probably £200k next week the way the pound is going!). In the UK, in London, you would be lucky to get £80k in the current market – if there were such a role.

So, I am keen to see how the quality-of-life question affects the application ratios for jobs in Australia as opposed to the UK. And, if they succeed in draining good BIM people from the UK talent puddle, how will we cope here? Will No.10 open the doors wider for international BIM talent to come back to the UK?

Watch this space!