Is the era of the permanent position really over?

When taking the first steps into the working world, the feeling of having chosen the wrong path can arise in no time. As a result, one might feel trapped in a dead end. However, the ideas, desires, and scope of today's workers are changing significantly. According to a study conducted by GoodHabitz, the international platform for corporate training, based on a sample of 1000 Italian workers, a surprising figure emerges: a full 40% of employees are following a "non-linear" career path, involving changes in sector or role within the same company or in a completely different one, debunking the myth of a "vertical" career as the only route to professional success. This happens because today's workers seek flexibility, attempting to reshape their career paths, driven by a passion for new sectors. Indeed, thanks to an ever-evolving job market that is becoming more accessible, workers can develop transversal skills.

Research Findings

We call this career-switching phenomenon the "non-linear career path". It does not only concern the younger generations (38%). In fact, it also involves a significant 41% of workers over 45. Women emerge as the protagonists of this new professional era, being more inclined than men to adopt unconventional paths. Of the total, 43% are women, and 37% are men. It is interesting to note that a significant percentage of workers with linear careers (36%) still plan to change or wished they had done so in the past. For non-linear career paths to materialize, it is important to cultivate so-called soft skills, which are generally applicable to almost any profession. Problem-solving (considered crucial by 92%), stress management (90%), and teamwork (88%) are important to face the challenges of today's working world. According to the survey, these soft skills also help discover new personal aptitudes and develop one's talent, opening new or unexplored areas in the professional market.

Changing Jobs Within the Same Company

Taking control of one's career and charting a path more aligned with one's aspirations does not necessarily mean continuously changing jobs: on the contrary, this is possible both in a new environment and within the same one through a consistent path of internal growth. Supporting this, employees in companies with over 250 people are more likely to change roles within the same company rather than seek external opportunities (48% vs. 40% of the average vs. 33% of those in smaller contexts, from 10 to 249 people). The data call on companies to listen to the new dynamics of the job market, valuing soft skills as a catalyst for professional growth and personal fulfillment. In this sense, investment in continuous training and the development of transversal skills not only improves employees' productivity and efficiency but also contributes to talent retention, promoting a dynamic and inclusive work environment.