New Year, New Career: A Practical Guide to Changing Jobs

Is finding a new job part of your New Year’s resolutions?

You’re not alone.

Aon’s 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study found that 67% of Australian employees are actively seeking or planning to change jobs within the next 12 months. Whether you're looking for more purpose, better pay, or a fresh start, the beginning of the year is a great time to reflect and take action. Australia’s unemployment rate sat at 4.3 percent in November 2025, with underemployment lifting and participation easing, which points to a cooler yet still fluid market. Candidates need clearer positioning and smarter applications in 2026.

Why Consider a Career Change?

Feeling unfulfilled at work can be a strong signal that it’s time for change. If you’re craving more challenges, growth opportunities, or a role that better aligns with your values, it’s worth exploring your options.

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel stuck or uninspired in my current role?
• Are my values aligned with my company or industry?
• Am I looking for a fresh start or a new direction?

Recognising these feelings is the first step toward making a meaningful change. It can also help you decide whether to adjust your current role or pursue something entirely new. If flexibility and wellbeing are priorities, know that employers are still negotiating hybrid norms and responsiveness, and AI is increasingly present in recruitment workflows. Reflect on what matters most to you: growth, stability, culture, or location.

How to Start Planning Your Career Move

Begin by identifying what matters most to you. Consider your values, interests, and long-term goals.

Ask yourself:

• What am I passionate about?
• What kind of work energises me?
• What industries or roles align with my strengths?

Researching different career paths can help you find a better fit. Speaking with a recruiter or career coach can also provide clarity and direction. These professionals can help you understand the job market, identify transferable skills, and build a strategy for your next move.

Build Your Online Presence

Creating or updating your LinkedIn profile is a smart way to expand your network and discover new opportunities.

A strong LinkedIn presence allows you to:

1. Connect with industry professionals
2. Research potential employers
3. Showcase your skills and experience
4. Reach out to recruiters directly

Staying active on LinkedIn can also improve your visibility and help you stay informed about trends in your target industry.

• Use skills based language that mirrors current ads rather than older titles, since many platforms now match on skills clouds and semantic fit, not only keywords.

Make AI work for you in the job search

Applicant systems increasingly use AI to help with screening, messaging and scheduling. You still need a clear, human story, but a few tweaks improve your odds.

• Keep a single column CV in PDF or Word, use standard fonts, and avoid text boxes so parsing works smoothly.
• Write bullet points with measurable outcomes and contemporary terminology to satisfy both AI scoring and human review.
• Share one short post that demonstrates your thinking in your target domain. This helps both human screeners and AI summarisation features inside modern applicant systems.

Contracting, casual and compliance notes

If you are considering Contracting in 2026, be aware of Fair Work changes introduced through the Closing Loopholes laws.

These include:

• An updated definition of casual employment and a new pathway for casuals to move to permanent roles from 26 August 2024
• A right to disconnect that applied to most employers from 26 August 2024 and to small businesses from 26 August 2025
• A new offence for intentional wage underpayments from 1 January 2025

There are have been updates to how employment versus contracting is assessed. If you have questions about how different contractor engagement models are defined, check our contractor engagement models in Australia detailed guide.

Take Action with Confidence

Once you’ve clarified your goals and updated your profile, start applying for roles that excite you. Reach out to recruiters who specialise in your field and be proactive in your job search. Confidence in your skills and direction will help you stand out.

Final Thoughts

Work should be a source of satisfaction, not stress. Changing careers can feel daunting, but with the right mindset, support, and preparation, it’s absolutely achievable. If a new job is on your list of resolutions, take that first step today.

Your future self will thank you.