A recent LinkedIn survey of 18,000 full-time workers across the world revealed that a quarter of them are actively looking for a new job and 85 percent would at least be willing to talk to a recruiter.

Of the 18,000 workers surveyed, 25 percent said they are looking for a new job at least a few times a week. Roughly half of those people, or 12 percent of all participants, said they are actively searching for a new job.

Even most employees who aren't actively searching for jobs could be pried away by the right opportunity. Of the 18,000 workers surveyed, 85 percent said they would at least be willing to talk to a recruiter, with only 15 percent of the workforce describing themselves as completely satisfied and unwilling to move from their position.

The numbers are surprising considering the amount of workers who are satisfied at their jobs. Overall, 72 percent of participants described themselves as at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs, with only 14 percent describing themselves as at least somewhat dissatisfied.

What Do These Passive/Active Candidates Want?

Unsurprisingly, employees who are actively looking for a new job are less happy at their current jobs – only 52 percent described themselves as satisfied with their work – as employees who aren't – 80 percent of them described themselves as satisfied with their work.

So what are these active candidates looking for?

According to the LinkedIn survey, employees who are actively searching for work are motivated most by greater opportunities for advancement, just exceeding better compensation and benefits. What they are least motivated by is an improved job title or a better office location.

That isn’t much different from employees who describe themselves as passively searching for work (i.e. at least willing to talk to a recruiter). According to the survey, those passive candidates would be motivated to change jobs primarily by better compensation or benefits, with a better work/life balance coming in second.

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