New Survey Reveals Job Evaluation Discontent Among Professionals in 2025

In a recent survey conducted by Job Research Institute established by Persol Career Co., Ltd., which operates employment services like Doda, it was found that a staggering 70% of professionals express dissatisfaction with their job evaluations. This sentiment is leading many individuals to contemplate changing jobs.

Overview of the Survey

The study surveyed 391 working adults across Japan from September 10 to September 16, 2025. It aimed to understand the current situation regarding job evaluations, particularly focusing on how employees promote themselves in terms of evaluations, their dissatisfaction levels, and the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the evaluation process. The survey targeted registered users of Job Q Town, encompassing a diverse demographic of both genders and age groups primarily from their 20s to 50s.

Key Findings

Among the highlights of the survey:

- Self-Promotion Fatigue: Around 58.6% of participants engage in self-promotional activities for job evaluation. However, a significant 82.1% feel that these efforts impact their actual evaluations positively.
- Dissatisfaction with Job Evaluations: Approximately 69.6% of respondents reported dissatisfaction with the current evaluation system. Alarmingly, 69% of participants preferred the idea of changing jobs over waiting for promotions or salary increases. Moreover, 65.5% have considered changing jobs due to unsatisfactory evaluations, and over half (51.6%) have already made the transition.
- AI in Job Evaluations: While some professionals express hopes for AI to create a fair and objective assessment system, concerns remain. About 51.2% of respondents expressed anxiety regarding AI evaluations, fearing misinterpretations that could lead to biased outcomes. Additionally, 68.7% indicated a preference for human supervisors over AI when it comes to evaluations.

Job Evaluation Fatigue

The original intent behind self-promotion was to enhance one's standing within the company. However, many workers are beginning to feel overwhelmed by what they term “self-promotion fatigue.” The survey revealed that 32.3% of those who promote themselves reported feeling fatigued as a consequence. Furthermore, 28.4% found the constant push for self-presentation mentally exhausting, and 27.1% experienced an increase in unnecessary work as a result.

Despite these challenges, 82.1% believe that their self-promotional efforts contribute positively to their evaluations. Interestingly, there exists a stark contrast between the actions taken and the feelings associated with these actions.

The HimForces of Job Changes

The consequences of dissatisfaction with job evaluations can lead to significant changes in career paths. The survey indicates that around 65.5% of respondents have thought about changing jobs due to their evaluations, with over half proceeding to make that change. When queried about their actual experience, 51.6% affirmed they had successfully transitioned to new jobs. This trend suggests that a strong connection exists between dissatisfaction with evaluations and the willingness to seek new opportunities.

Conclusion

The findings of this survey shed light on the pressing issues surrounding job evaluations and their psychological impact on professionals. The need for change is apparent not just in individual careers but within broader HR practices. The emergence of AI technology also propels this conversation forward, presenting new opportunities and challenges alike. Companies must leverage these insights to create more satisfying evaluation systems that balance the advantages of AI with the irreplaceable value of human judgment. The establishment of a fair evaluation system, enhanced by technology yet anchored in human empathy, represents a vital step towards improving workplace morale and reducing turnover.

Through continued research and analysis, the Job Research Institute aims to provide actionable insights that contribute to a more harmonious work environment.

For a deeper understanding of the survey results, please refer to our detailed report published on our website.