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The belief that employers overlook people's talents when they change careers is preventing most professionals from switching to sectors facing skills shortages, research has revealed.
A survey by totaljobs.com shows that more than 80 per cent of UK professionals would consider changing careers within the next five years. But 74 per cent confess they are unlikely to do so because it would require starting again at the bottom of the ladder.
Over 90 per cent of respondents say employers overlook skills developed in other careers.
Paul Ivory, executive producer at totaljobs.com, said, "The results are hardly surprising when most employers continue to use tools like basic wordsearching to shrink their CV piles. Only if a job-seeker has an almost identical position in a similar working environment do they stand a chance."
The research, supported by chartered occupational psychologist Selby Millsmith, also identifies the careers people would pursue if they changed direction.
Of the 250 respondents from 30 different careers, 7 per cent would consider nursing, 10 per teaching and 24 per cent IT. Only 3 per cent would consider the police force.
All but 7 per cent say skills developed in their current roles are transferable to their next career of choice.
