The HR Managers' Perception of Future Career Paths in the Context of ESG Perspective: Readiness for Sustainable Careers

Purpose: The research explores the awareness of career changes based on the current career perception, value-based impression, and expectations for the candidates’ careers in the selection process. Methodology: These opinions are supposed to provide an overview of the content definition of the sustainable career notion and the readiness to see a career as a sustainable paradigm among 159 Romanian (53.46%) and Serbian (46.54%) HR managers. The survey is based on three subscale instruments assessing the respondents agreement with the statements implying sustainabilityin defining a career. Findings: Results show that not all aspects of a sustainable career are emphasised, with the issues of environmental protection being slightly neglected, especially in the Serbian subsample. The environmental aspect of the sustainable career is based on the hybrid perception of the career that values restoration of the natural environment while preserving health through social justice and can be recognised among candidates’ consciousness. Implications: The sociological domain implies career complexity, expecting continuous learning and valuing adaptability, which is visible in the candidate’s responsiveness in the selection process. Governance is covered by disruptiveness that requires new, more individually focused legislative approaches, along with valuing personal accountability and expectations of candidates to be ethically conducting trustworthy partners. Limitations: The sample consists of not ‘naïve’ subjects but rather affected by current sustainable career discourse. Future Research: Incorporate various occupational profiles to understand these differences and insight into their circumstances and the spread of research among other economies to understand their big picture and particularities better.