A huge leap in concerns about job security has seen it overtake career progression as a priority for City workers considering moving jobs, research from financial recruiter BRUIN Financial shows.

This time last year 58% of City workers said that career progression was the main factor influencing their choices of changing jobs, but that is now the main concern for less than a quarter of those questioned.

In its place, job security is now the major concern for more than 51% of City workers thinking of changing jobs, with brand name and location the only other concerns to become more prevalent over the last year.

BRUIN Financial’s chief executive, Robert Thesiger, says: “In our view, the emphasis on job security and career progression within financial services is a clear sign that the impact of the global financial crisis has materially changed the way the City should be perceived externally.

“High risk, high return strategies have been replaced by a more structured and thoughtful approach to career aspirations and plans.”