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Across Europe, the traditional definition of career success is shifting. For years, ambition was measured by promotions, fast movement between companies, and constantly climbing towards bigger titles. But as we move into 2026, workers are rewriting those rules.
A new MyPerfectCV survey of 1,000 full-time employees across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy reveals a workforce choosing financial stability, lower stress, and healthier work–life alignment over chasing prestige.
According to the European Career Outlook 2026 report, this is not a workforce that has stopped caring about growth, far from it. Instead, workers are prioritising sustainable progress, focusing on skill development, balance, and workplace well-being rather than relentless upward pressure.
The Rise of Financial Stability and Well-Being
When asked about their priorities for 2026, workers overwhelmingly pointed to pay and personal wellbeing.
Top career goals for 2026:
- Earn more money (53%)
- Reduce stress (37%)
- Improve work–life balance (34%)
- Learn new skills (33%)
- Start a side hustle (11%)
- Change careers (10%)
- Get a promotion (9%)
- Start a business (7%)
- No specific goals (15%)
The top three responses signal a clear mindset shift: success is now as much about quality of life as it is about professional achievements.
Earning more remains essential amid rising living costs, but workers also want jobs that support mental health, allow personal time, and provide stability, not burnout masquerading as ambition.
The low percentages for promotions, career changes, and entrepreneurship suggest that workers aren’t chasing rapid change. They’re aiming to strengthen their foundation first.
Job Searching, But With Higher Standards
Despite this desire for stability, the majority of workers still plan to explore new opportunities, but with greater intention and higher expectations.
Likelihood of looking for a new job in 2026:
- Very likely (22%)
- Likely (25%)
- Somewhat likely (20%)
- Not likely (33%)
In total, 67% of European employees are open to a job move, but they won’t move for just any offer.
What would motivate workers to change jobs:
- Higher salary (50%)
- Better work–life balance (38%)
- More interesting work (31%)
- More flexibility (24%)
- Career growth opportunities (22%)
- Greater challenge (17%)
- Better commute/relocation (16%)
- Strong company culture (9%)
Workers are more selective, more strategic, and more values-driven. Instead of jumping simply for a new title or to “move up”, they want roles that support their lives and sense of purpose. Compensation still leads, but flexibility and meaningful work are gaining ground fast.
Skill Building as a Growth Strategy
Another clear trend: European professionals aren’t waiting for employers to shape their career paths; they’re taking ownership.
Skills workers plan to develop in 2026:
- Tech skills (AI, coding) – 37%
- Industry-specific capabilities – 35%
- Communication skills – 28%
- Leadership – 22%
- Personal brand & networking – 14%
- No upskilling planned – 23%
Upskilling, rather than job-hopping, is becoming the new way to grow.
Technology sits at the centre of that ambition, but workers are also prioritising:
- Sector expertise
- Communication
- Leadership ability
- Personal brand development
This suggests a workforce preparing not just to earn more today, but to remain competitive long-term in an evolving labour market.
What Employees Expect from Workplaces
To stay satisfied and motivated, workers want tangible improvements, especially in pay and flexibility.
Changes that would most improve job satisfaction:
- Higher pay (52%)
- Flexible hours (34%)
- Wellness support (20%)
- Fully remote working option (18%)
- Clearer career path (16%)
- Better management (16%)
- Nothing would improve satisfaction (14%)
Employers who can provide fair compensation, autonomy, and support will have a clear edge in retaining talent. Employees are signalling they need workplaces that recognise life outside of work and provide genuine pathways to grow without sacrificing wellbeing.
What This Means for the Future of Work
The findings paint a picture of a labour market that has matured since the turbulence of the early 2020s. Workers are less driven by prestige and urgency, and more by security, health, and long-term career resilience.
Europe’s workforce is now prioritising:
- Financial stability
- Mental wellbeing
- Time and flexibility
- Practical, future-ready skills
- Purposeful work
And moving away from:
- Hustle-at-all-costs culture
- Promotions as the only measure of success
- Work environments that ignore mental health
This is not a retreat from ambition; it’s a refocus on meaningful, sustainable success.
For employers, the implication is clear: Support balance, invest in skills, and reward fairly, or risk losing talent to organisations that do.
Methodology
The findings presented in this report are based on a regionally representative survey conducted by MyPerfectCV using Pollfish from 10–12 October 2025. The survey collected responses from 1,000 full-time employed adults in Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and Italy. Respondents answered a mix of yes/no, single-selection, and multiple-choice questions covering career goals, job satisfaction, upskilling priorities, and retention intentions for 2026.
Demographic Breakdown:
The survey comprised 1,000 respondents in total, evenly distributed across five countries: Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and Italy (200 per country). The survey sample was nearly balanced by gender, with 50% identifying as male and 50% as female (less than 1% identified as nonbinary or preferred not to answer). Participants represented a range of age groups: 19.5% aged 18–28 (Gen Z), 30.4% aged 29–44 (Millennials), 25.4% aged 45–60 (Gen X), and 24.7% aged 61–79 (Baby Boomers). Respondents represented diverse industries, income levels, and roles across the European workforce.
About MyPerfectCV
My Perfect CV builder features professional CV templates that let job seekers create job-winning CVs in minutes. This easy-to-use platform and mobile app generate ATS-friendly CVs while keeping your personal information secure and confidential. Since 2013, My Perfect CV has provided career solutions by explaining how to write a CV, seek high-paying jobs in the UK, and ace popular job interview questions. Fast CV creation, transparent pricing, and excellent customer support make My Perfect CV the right choice for you. Keep in touch by following My Perfect CV on Facebook.
Jasmine Escalera
Career expert
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