What are people’s biggest regrets about their careers?

More than six in 10 employees have work-related regrets, with pay-related regrets the most common.

A survey by Resume Now among 1,000 employees in the US, UK, France, and Germany found that career regrets peak at mid-career, with Millennials having the highest number of employees with regrets (70%).

The breakdown by generation is:

• Gen Z (61%)
• Millennials (70%)
• Gen X (69%)
• Baby Boomers (52%)

Reasons behind career regrets

Most respondents cited not asking for a pay increase (60%) as their biggest regret. Others cited:

• Not prioritising work-life balance (59%)
• Staying at a job too long (58%)
• Not negotiating salary when taking a job (58%)
• Not getting a college degree (53%)
• Not speaking up in a meeting (53%)
• Not asking for a promotion (51%)

Half of the respondents said they regret in their chosen career, while 44% said they regret not making a full career change, according to the report.

Nearly half (46%) of the respondents also said they regret being a remote worker, as the findings come at a time when work arrangements could impact pay and career progression.

This year, more than half of employees (55%) said they plan to learn new skills, reflecting recent upskilling trends as new technologies take over workplaces.

Nearly half also said that they plan to find a new job (45%) this year. Others said their career resolutions are:

• Pursuing professional development (26%)
• Growing a professional network (25%)
• Getting a new professional certification (23%)
• Asking for a raise (21%)
• Making a career change (19%)
• Finding a remote job (18%)
• Getting a second job (16%)
• Attending at least one professional networking event (16%)