Movement in the ecosystem: Motivations for switching employment types
No matter how a Microsoft professional feels they work best, there’s a plethora of options available to suit. From providing consulting services for a Microsoft partner to helping an end user make the most of their cloud stack, from working full-time on-site to contracting, those with the right skills have a multitude of pathways to choose from as they travel through the Microsoft ecosystem.
To give employers access to the widest possible talent pool, it pays to know what attracts professionals to these various types of employment and why. Equipped with this kind of insight, businesses are far more likely to be able to land their ideal hire, no matter where and how they’re currently working.
Motivation to move from a permanent role to freelancing
Over two-fifths (43%, up from 33% in our last survey) of permanent professionals tell us they would consider switching to freelance/contract work in the coming year.
Reasons for this include:
Higher earning potential
0
%
Flexibility in lifestyle
0
%
Exposure to latest technology
0
%
Working on different projects
0
%
| Being your own boss | 30% |
| Ability to claim expenses against tax | 23% |
| Not sure | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
| Being your own boss | 30% |
| Ability to claim expenses against tax | 23% |
| Not sure | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
Those respondents who would move to freelancing for the higher earning potential would want, on average, a whopping 33% increase in their earnings to make the switch.
Why aren't professionals considering contract working?
The 31% (down from 39%) of Microsoft professionals who would not consider working as a freelancer cited reasons including:
I like to have a fixed, predictable income
56%
I prefer the security offered by a permanent role
50%
I'm happy in my current role
40%
Freelancing is too risky
24%
The lack of workplace benefits
19%
I'd find freelancing stressful
19%
I've worked as a freelancer previously and didn't enjoy it
7%
‘Other’ responses include inexperience and unwillingness to travel.
Motivation to move from freelancing to a permanent role
Two-fifths (40%, up from 31% in our previous study) of freelancers who responded to the survey would consider switching to a permanent position in the coming year.
The top 10 factors most likely to attract a contractor to a permanent role include:
| 1 | Job stability and security | 71% |
| 2 | Remote working options | 68% |
| 3 | A stable income | 61% |
| 4 | A competitive salary | 55% |
| 5 | Career progression opportunities | 55% |
| 6 | The new company's values and culture align to my own | 52% |
| 7 | A generous benefits package | 46% |
| 8 | Flexible/agile working | 39% |
| 9 | Valuable work/feeling like your work will make a positive impact | 38% |
| 10 | A senior role with more responsibilities | 32% |
| 1 | Job stability and security | 71% |
| 2 | Remote working options | 68% |
| 3 | A stable income | 61% |
| 4 | A competitive salary | 55% |
| 5 | Career progression opportunities | 55% |
| 6 | The new company's values and culture align to my own | 52% |
| 7 | A generous benefits package | 46% |
| 8 | Flexible/agile working | 39% |
| 9 | Valuable work/feeling like your work will make a positive impact | 38% |
| 10 | A senior role with more responsibilities | 32% |
Why wouldn't freelancers consider a permanent role?
Of the 33% (down from 37%) of contractors who would not consider undertaking a permanent role in the coming year, their reasons include:
I prefer the flexibility that comes with freelancing
72%
I earn more as a freelancer
64%
I like working for myself
53%
I've had a permanent role previously but prefer freelancing
40%
I prefer working on many different projects / with different clients
30%
Other
4%
Conclusion
As our data shows, sometimes the grass is simply greener on the other side. Many freelancers want stability and reliable income, while a lot of permanent employees are looking to up their earning potential. The number of both perm and contract professionals willing to change lanes has increased since last year, indicating that Microsoft professionals of all stripes are more open to new opportunities than ever. Interestingly, the top motivations for both types of professional to change their working model are financial, with size and stability of potential earnings proving key drivers. This could be a reflection of the inflation and rising cost of living issues facing many workers. This illustrates the importance of focusing on creating competitive packages, and promoting stability when aiming to attract contractors into permanent roles.
Relocation
Are professionals looking to relocate or emigrate for work?
- Yes, to another country
47%
- Yes, but within the same country as I currently live
16%
- No
26%
- Not sure
11%
Top reasons driving the desire to emigrate
An enhanced quality of life is the main factor that motivates our respondents to emigrate—other reasons include:
| Improved quality of life | 72% |
| Improved salary | 58% |
| To experience a different culture | 55% |
| To develop/progress professionally | 51% |
| Access to better job opportunities | 48% |
| Access to better standard of living | 42% |
| To pursue new experiences | 42% |
| Better work-life balance | 37% |
| Climate/weather | 24% |
| It is an emerging market for Microsoft | 20% |
| Lower cost of living | 20% |
Reasons for relocating
For those that would like to move to another city or region within their country of residence, their motivations include:
| Improved salary | 71% |
| Access to better job opportunities | 64% |
| Access to new career opportunities | 55% |
| Improved lifestyle | 28% |
| I like the area | 26% |
| To experience a new place | 26% |
| To be close to family and friends | 15% |
| I dislike where I live | 7% |
| I've lived there previously | 6% |
| Other | 1% |
