Three in four workers in Ireland would consider moving into a different career, yet many remain unsure how to make that transition, according to new research from Indeed.
Want a new lease of life on your career? Stuck in a rut? Sounds like you’re not alone. A new study from Indeed Career Scout found that 76% of Irish workers can imagine changing their career field.
The research highlights a strong appetite for professional reinvention across Ireland’s workforce.
“Changing careers can feel daunting, especially in a rapidly changing work environment”
Financial uncertainty remains the biggest barrier to taking that step, cited by 31% of respondents. Other concerns include age (27%), the prospect of starting again as a beginner (23%), a lack of qualifications (23%), and uncertainty about which jobs would be a good fit (23%).
The findings point to a workforce that is increasingly focused on new opportunities but seeking greater clarity about where existing skills can lead.
Scouting ahead
More than six in ten workers (61%) said they believe they have transferable skills but are unsure where those skills are most relevant. Half of respondents said they wish they had a better understanding of which jobs they qualify for based on their experience and capabilities.
The research suggests workers are eager for more personalised support during their career journey.
More than eight in ten respondents (82%) said they would find a tool useful if it could identify potential career paths based on their skills and experience, with nearly one-third (31%) saying they would find such a service very helpful.
Meanwhile, 71% said they would value the ability to ask questions about a company or role before submitting an application, and more than half (54%) reported difficulty explaining why they are a strong fit for a position during applications or interviews.
Career ambitions remain high among Irish workers. Six in ten (61%) said they have a dream career they would like to achieve, while 88% said they could see themselves moving into a sector expected to offer long-term employment opportunities.
When thinking about their professional future, economic uncertainty emerged as the leading concern for 34% of respondents, followed by AI and automation at 32%.
In response to these challenges, Indeed has launched Career Scout in Ireland, describing it as a personal career coach designed to support jobseekers through career discovery, job searching, application preparation and interview readiness.
The platform helps users identify potential career paths aligned with their skills and interests, understand where they may be a good fit, explore salary expectations and discover job opportunities tailored to their goals.
Additional features include company research tools covering areas such as pay, workplace culture and employee sentiment, as well as interview preparation support and application tracking through Indeed’s My Jobs dashboard.
“Changing careers can feel daunting, especially in a rapidly changing work environment,” said Conor McCarthy, vice-president at Indeed.
“People know they have valuable skills but cannot see how they translate into new opportunities in today’s workplace. Our research shows that many jobseekers are open to change, but they need more clarity, confidence and personalised support to take the next step.
“Career Scout is designed to act as a personal career coach, helping people understand their options, discover roles that match their skills and goals, and move through the job search with more confidence,” McCarthy said.
The study also found AI tools are becoming a more common part of the job search experience.
More than one-third of workers (37%) said they have already used AI to support a job search. Among those users, 42% said it made them feel more confident when submitting applications, 41% said it saved time and 30% said they received more interview invitations.
At the same time, some reservations remain. One-third of AI users (33%) worry employers can tell they have used AI during the application process, while 28% are concerned that AI-generated submissions may appear too generic.
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