Singapore - Stable jobholders are still on the lookout for better career opportunities despite the gloomy job market front, and they say it is not about getting more money.

A survey conducted by Adecco Personnel in February reveals 16% of respondents are looking for a new job due to inadequate development opportunities at their current workplace. While close to a quarter polled are retrenched workers looking for a new job, 12% of jobseekers are hoping to go into a growth industry before the economy picks up.

What's most surprising is none of these respondents cite inadequate compensation as a reason to move. Lynne Ng, regional director for Adecco South East Asia, believes this shows jobseekers have "a level of maturity in relation to current market conditions".

Instead, Ng says these jobseekers are looking for "careers where they can develop their talents and not need worry about downsizing or retrenchment".

Consequently, it is still possible for employers to ward off this potential retention problem so long as they can provide employees sufficient job security. This would keep 38% of respondents happy at work or even stop job-hunting altogether. Ng says, "If employers have no plans to downsize in the short term, then there is an opportunity to let employees know and have them focus on their role and continuing to add value."

It would be a better alternative, she adds, than having employees "being unnecessarily concerned about their future".

One-fifth of respondents polled also say some form of job scope expansion would be good enough to retain them. Other factors which could persuade these jobseekers to stay include having a good relationship with co-workers (14%), good bosses (12%) and desirable commuting and work hours (10%).