Expert advice: IDA-members should take advantage of the fact that they are sought-after

by Morten Esmann, Career consultant, IDA

I recently spoke with an IDA member who was facing a job change. She had entered into an agreement with her new employer and only needed to sign the contract when she called me.

She had been offered a good job, but she was unsure whether she should accept it because the employer could not offer her sufficient flexibility in everyday life.

This is a good example of the fact that many STEM-professionals can currently afford to consider their options one more time. A new study shows that by 2030, Denmark will lack 21,000 people with an education in IT, science or engineering, and many of the members we talk to already notice that they are sought-after.

In fact, a survey earlier this year showed that 57 per cent of all IDA members had been contacted by a headhunter during 2020.
So while the lack of skilled labour is a societal problem, it could be an advantage for IDA members - and an advantage which we encourage them to make the most of.

More in pay or new work assignments?

When there is a large demand for certain professional groups, as we see at the moment, more are open to changing jobs. Employers are well aware of this, and it puts you in a good bargaining position if you want a higher salary, other work tasks or have long considered changing jobs.

Do not put a gun to the head of your boss and threaten to resign if you do not get your way. But it is nice to keep in mind when you have a dialogue about your wishes.

We often see that pay is the parameter that employers adjust to retain or attract employees, and many IDA members are asked to work more because there are now fewer hands to lift the tasks.

But be careful not to stare blindly at a high salary level, because perhaps it is more flexibility, more developing work tasks or something completely different that is needed for you to maintain your job satisfaction.

The downside of the red-hot labour market

It is part of the story that some specialists are particularly sought-after, while others have a hard time getting a foothold with employers. For the latter, it can be frustrating to have their ears pricked up about a job party they are not invited to.

Others get confused about the many choices, and while it is a luxury issue compared to unemployment, it can feel like a pressure to make the right choice - especially for the young and recent graduates.

They have been told for years that they could pick and choose their job if they took a technical or science education, and now that they are part of the job market, they are overwhelmed because they feel obligated to find the perfect position.

Therefore, we see that some get a very fragmented start to their working life, where they change jobs on a regular basis in the pursuit of a higher salary, more meaning, greater responsibility or other things that they feel they need to achieve.

It is comparable to dating: There are some who keep thinking that the grass must be greener on the other side and who therefore can not find peace with a partner. So remember to be realistic, and consider whether a new job will actually give you more job satisfaction, or whether you are just flattered to be sought-after.