--- title: "Right Management State of Careers Report: The Career Equation" description: Discover what truly drives talent retention. The State of Careers Report reveals the gap between attraction and engagement across regions. image: https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-1x1-coworkers-reviewing-documents-on-a-tablet.jpg --- [![Talentsolutions\_RM\_transparent-4](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/Talentsolutions_RM_transparent-4.png)](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/en-au/talent-transition-outplacement) STATE OF CAREERS REPORT # **THE CAREER EQUATION** **What Attracts Talent Isn’t What Keeps Them** # SHAPING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE --- # Health and Aged Trends Report This report from the State of Careers series unpacks the engagement illusion and reveals how engagement drivers vary across regions. For leaders looking to build a more resilient, productive and loyal workforce with evolving skill sets, the path forward starts with closing the gap between perception and reality and between attraction and true engagement.  ![LP Vertical banner (6)](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Vertical%20banner%20(6).png?width=500&name=LP%20Vertical%20banner%20(6).png "LP Vertical banner (6)") ## INTRODUCTION Across the globe, a striking disconnect has emerged between how leaders perceive employee engagement and how employees actually feel. When asked about the state of their workforce, 53% of leaders reported that their employees are fully engaged. Only 29% acknowledged any disengagement within their teams. However, the employee experience tells a very different story. Only 37% of employees are fully engaged in their work. Even more concerning, 41% are disengaged. This stark contrast reveals a significant perception gap: leaders are overestimating engagement and underestimating disengagement at alarming rates. This disconnect leads to the prioritization of ineffective talent strategies based on inaccurate assumptions about the state of current talent. Furthermore, an additional 22% of employees are only somewhat engaged. In our 2024 The State of Careers reports, we found that those who are somewhat engaged are at the highest risk of leaving the organization, even compared to disengaged employees. ## THE ENGAGEMENT ILLUSION: LEADERS ARE OUT OF SYNC WITH THEIR WORKFORCE ![RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1\_page-0004](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0004.jpg?width=400&height=581&name=RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0004.jpg "RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0004") ![RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1\_page-0005](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0005.jpg?width=2000&height=479&name=RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0005.jpg "RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0005") ## While short-term business pressures may speak to limited talent investments, organisations must act now to ensure they have the right people, with the right skills, in the right roles — not just for today, but for tomorrow. ![RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1\_page-0011](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0011.jpg?width=1935&height=2000&name=RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0011.jpg "RM-2025-State-of-Careers-Report-1_page-0011") ## THE TALENT PARADOX: WHY THE FIRST HOOK ISN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM To truly engage and retain top talent, leaders must recalibrate their approach. The first step is recognizing a critical distinction: attracting talent and retaining it are not the same — yet many organizations treat them as if they are. This may seem paradoxical. While it’s common to assume that what draws employees in will also keep them engaged, the data tells a different story. When asked what would make them consider a new job opportunity, workers were most likely to cite pay and benefits (36%), followed by job logistics (19%). Therefore, the factors attracting employees to an organization are the exact inverse of what keeps them engaged over time. Engagement and retention are driven by deeper, more intrinsic factors: fit, career and learning opportunities.  In short, employees stay when they see a future for themselves — when their work feels purposeful and success feels attainable. These drivers often outweigh traditional incentives like promotions. Purpose and lateral career development (i.e., the career lattice) are increasingly more important than simply climbing the corporate ladder.  📩 [Download the report](##report) # Right Management helps develop, retain and optimise the workforce for the future ## A human-centred approach to career and talent management Employees are more empowered, reframing their work lives beyond jobs to careers. These personal growth journeys combine sustainable employment, purpose, and impact to achieve individual potential. With a global footprint spanning over 75 countries and deep local expertise, we empower individuals to thrive and organisations to grow. [Contact us](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/en-au/talent-transition-outplacement#contact1) ![image002](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/image002.png?width=500&height=260&name=image002.png "image002") ## Improve Performance. Elevate Engagement. Increase Retention. #### ![ts-icons-people-conversation](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-people-conversation.svg) #### Outplacement *Support careers and enhance culture* [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/outplacement) #### ![ts-icons-people-comprehensive-management](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-people-comprehensive-management.svg) #### Assessment *Gain deeper understanding of your talent* [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/assessment) #### ![ts-icons-people-worker-certification](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-people-worker-certification.svg) #### Leadership *Unlock the potential of your future leaders* [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/leadership) #### ![ts-icons-people-staffing-temporary-employment](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-people-staffing-temporary-employment.svg) #### Career Development *Unlock the potential of your existing talent*  [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/career-development) #### ![ts-icons-people-hr](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-people-hr.svg) #### Mobility and Change *Build a resilient workforce* [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/mobility-and-change) #### ![ts-icons-tech-robot](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-icons-tech-robot.svg) #### Coaching *Coach your talent to go the next level* [Learn more](https://www.right.com/solutions/coaching) ## Explore More Insights **[See all](https://www.manpowergroup.com.au/workforce-insights?source=downloads.manpowergroup.com.au)** [![soc 3\_page-0001](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/soc%203_page-0001.jpg)](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/state-of-careers3) STATE OF CAREERS REPORT III Rescuing Stranded Careers: A Roadmap for Leaders to Drive Empoyee Growth [DOWNLOAD REPORT](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/state-of-careers3) [![TSRM\_Engagement\_Illusion\_Report\_2024\_page-0001](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/TSRM_Engagement_Illusion_Report_2024_page-0001.jpg)](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/state-of-careers1) STATE OF CAREERS REPORT I The Engagement Illusion: Why Leaders Overestimate Employee Engagement   [DOWNLOAD REPORT](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/state-of-careers1) [![ts-1x1-coworkers-reviewing-documents-on-a-tablet](https://downloads.rightmanagement.com.au/hubfs/ts-1x1-coworkers-reviewing-documents-on-a-tablet.jpg)](https://downloads.talentsolutions.manpowergroup.com.au/right_management) 2025 Workforce Guidebook # Learn about assessment, coaching, leadership development, and more. [DOWNLOAD GUIDE](https://downloads.talentsolutions.manpowergroup.com.au/right_management) ## We are ManpowerGroup® a global leader in workforce solutions ManpowerGroup®, with 75+ years of experience, operates in 75 countries, placing 2 million professionals into meaningful work and supporting 100,000+ clients annually. The group features a comprehensive family of global brands – Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Safesearch – offering domain-specific expertise to tackle complex workforce challenges. We connect talent to organisations efficiently through our optimised multi-channel approach, offering contingent workforce strategies and innovative talent solutions. Our experienced Australian talent specialists leverage expertise, networks, and quality-assured assessment methods to uncover and nurture top talent. 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