2019 Career Pivot Readers’ Survey Results

Career Pivot Readers’ Survey Results

I want to thank everyone who participated in the Career Pivot readers survey. I know I called it the 2020 Career Pivot Readers Survey because I was late putting the survey together. This is the third year I have run the survey but previously I did them in December. 2019 was a crazy year with our move to Mexico, the website attack and then the website redesign and therefore, I did not run a survey last year.

We had approximately 100 respondents to this year’s survey. I am very pleased with the response.

Let’s get down to the results.

Demographics

I wanted to know the gender, age, and employment status. In previous years, I asked for location but 99% of my readers have been in North America. I wanted to use Survey Monkey for this survey and the free plan limits you to 10 questions and 100 responses. The location question was eliminated!

Gender

The gender split has stayed pretty consistent with slightly more women (54%) than men (46%) who participated in the survey. My podcast listenership appears to be also equally split.

Age

The 55-64 age group continues to make up the majority of the respondents but it declined from almost 60% 2 years ago. The 45-54 age group grew almost 20% as did the 65-74 age group. Generation X is now reading this blog as they are having the same issues that baby boomers have coped with for the last 15-20 years. Read my post –  Generation X, Welcome to the World of Ageism.

Career Status

The numbers did not change much from the last survey:

• 65% are employed and are planning some change
• 10% are retired but want to keep working
• 5% are underemployed
• 20% are unemployed

Here are some of the comments:

• At the end of employment – Job Reduction effective March 2, 2020. Looking for a job.
• Working part-time and looking for additional income through a new career
• Part-time consulting
• Working full time and shifting to semi-retirement with plans for a 3rd career
• seasonal worker, looking for year-round
• Unemployed because my position was sent to India, now the USA is trying to force me into the “gig” economy
• In transition. Stepped away from work to deal with aging parents who have now passed. Looking to build a commercial business in retirement. Training to do so this year.
• Underemployed, seeking a shift to 2nd career
• Working full time but unable to afford retirement
• Freelancing, but not working enough

How did you find Career Pivot the 1st Time?

This is a question that generates not a lot statistically interesting data but the comments are very helpful. Almost of third of you responded that you did not remember.

I also received comments that they found me in places that I have never appeared or at least I do not think I have ever appeared. A good example is a Northwestern University Career webinar. I am an NU graduate and have made some outreach to the alumni association but I have never given a webinar. It is possible that some presenters mentioned Career Pivot as a resource.

How often do you visit the Career Pivot website?

Given 65% of the respondents are employed it should come as no surprise the almost 40% of the respondents replied: “Whenever I feel like it”. These people have busy lives.

What blog post topics do you favor?

It is pretty obvious that you want material related to the issues we face in the 2nd half of life.

2020 will see a shift towards entrepreneurship, starting a business, and building a portfolio career. My plans also include topics of time management, stress management and other soft skills that we all have to get better at. The job search will still be discussed but more in the framework of a multifacet career.

I will continue to give a quarterly update on becoming an ex-pat.