UK workers searching for a new job have revealed their top requirements for their next role, including a four-day working week (44%) – and a pay increase of 30-40% (13%), a study has found.

Six in ten are looking for companies with flexible working hours, hoping to leave the traditional 9 to 5 behind them. And four in ten are hoping for a better work-life balance, while a third, of the 5,000 employees polled, are keen to develop some new skills.

Meanwhile, exactly half of those polled say that salary is their top consideration when job-hunting – with 26% looking for a salary hike of between five and 10%.

And for 48%, the chance to climb the corporate ladder is the driving factor behind their job search – as they realise they will need to move on from their current role in order to do this.

The research, commissioned by Michael Page, also found that 22% are keen to start off 2024 with a new job.

However, the recruitment agency revealed they don't have long to make this goal a reality – with just a two-week window, from now, to get their job applications in, in order to begin a new role on Wednesday, January 3.

Figures from Michael Page shows that it takes an average of 33 days from a candidate's first application to signing on the dotted line, plus a one-month notice period – meaning the prime time to apply for a January start is during the next fortnight.

And those waiting until the new year to start applying for roles (40%) could be missing out – as over half of those involved in hiring (51%) prefer for new starters to get going at the beginning of a new year.

As such, autumn is the time recruiters are most likely to consider applications, and get the ball rolling for the post-festive period.

Doug Rode, Managing Director UK&I at Michael Page, part of FTSE 250 PageGroup, said: “We know that people like to make New Year’s resolutions, and January feels like the natural time to make a big change.

“But this data shows that when it comes to landing your dream new job, it can actually be advantageous to get ahead of the game.

“In fact, smart businesses will be thinking about hiring now, so that new starters can kick off in January in order to get maximum impact for the new year. That means that the savviest hiring managers are likely to be locking down their new recruits now.

“Taking control of your career and applying before the end of the year could make all the difference to your job search, with other job seekers missing out on great opportunities by waiting until 2024 begins.”

More than half of survey respondents (53%) said the new year represents a new start, which makes it the perfect time to embark on the next chapter of their career – with 38% feeling it is beneficial to start a new role then, because it allows them to set goals for the year ahead.

However, 45% of job seekers would be tempted to stay put if they received a counteroffer from their existing employer, according to the findings, from OnePoll.

Doug Rode added: “A quarter of the UK workforce are set on starting afresh next year when it comes to their career – and there is plenty of opportunity out there, with almost a million jobs still available in the UK, according to recent ONS data.

“We see a lot of competition in January for roles, with many workers trying to realise their resolutions – but what candidates may not realise is that October can be a brilliant month to get on the front foot with their search, and beat the post-Christmas rush.

“And when it comes to counteroffers, it’s worth taking plenty of time to think it over. If you have gone through the effort of securing an exciting new role, with great benefits and plenty of opportunity, there is likely to be a good reason.”