A recent LinkedIn survey, which polled 2,000 Australians, reveals a growing trend of job stability in the country. An impressive 59% of respondents expressed intentions to remain in their current positions by 2026, marking a notable increase from the 51% who felt this way just last year.

Brendan Wong, a career expert with LinkedIn, shed light on this shift in workplace dynamics. “Following the era known as the ‘Great Resignation’, we’re now witnessing the opposite behavior,” Wong explained. “Australians are increasingly engaging in what we call ‘job hugging’—opting to stay in their current roles due to the perception of an uncertain and highly competitive job market.”

The survey also highlighted that four out of five individuals feel unprepared to embark on a job search, which Wong suggests is a key factor driving the preference for stability over taking risks in their careers.

Interestingly, the survey also uncovered that 43% of Gen Z job seekers believe that AI-led interviews could help alleviate their interview anxiety. Wong recommends that job seekers take the time to acquaint themselves with AI technologies, as they could become a significant component of the recruitment process in the near future.

LinkedIn found 43 per cent of Gen Z job seekers say AI-led interviews would make them “less nervous”.

Wong said it was a good idea for job seekers to familiarise themselves with AI.

“AI is shaping almost every part of the job search, from finding roles to being pre-screened by recruiters and preparing for interviews,” he said.

“The key is to start small.”

Chief among them are AI engineers, risk officers and mechanical engineers.