Here’s what to know for achieving a more satisfying and fulfilling career when you are unhappy at work.

If opportunities to advance in your organization have dimmed, and learning resources have been harder to come by, you’re not alone feeling this way. Tech workers are coming off a labor market high two years after unemployment reached record lows. As many businesses announce big layoffs, reduce workplace benefits, and lean on employees to do more with less, people are feeling squeezed and trapped. That has led to stress, anxiety, and uncertainty about what lies ahead, but you can take steps to feel good about your career and continue to grow and advance. 

Job dissatisfaction is on the rise in North America, and this trend has many people rethinking their job choices. In fact, 82% of those surveyed say they are dissatisfied and in the market for a new role, according to Lorien’s 2024 ‘What Tech Candidates Want’ report. And this sentiment isn’t just because of money, either. While compensation is important to most employment choices, the No. 1 motivation for changing jobs is to learn new technologies (cited by 24%), followed by a lack of career progression (17%) and a toxic company culture (12%).

Motivation for changing jobs: 

  • Learn new technologies

  • Lack of career progression 

  • Toxic company culture 

  • Monetary compensation

That so many people want a change is unusual but understandable. Economic uncertainty has frozen many in their role, which also limits opportunities for learning technologies and skills with new employers. Without progression, it’s natural for tech workers to seek those opportunities elsewhere.  

Additionally, as bosses push for a return to the office, long commutes, inflexible hours, and a lifestyle change may further alienate employees from their companies. We found that most people (51%) prefer a fully remote role, but not everyone gets to enjoy this benefit. Current work arrangements vary by age, with older workers more likely to be fully remote than younger peers. For instance, 44% of those up to 34 years old are in the office full time, but a majority (57%) of those 35 and older are fully remote. Women also work in fully remote roles at a higher rate than men (61% vs. 44%).

Have priorities shifted in your career?

The pandemic brought new ways of working, and job flexibility is just one of the lasting changes. Your views and those of your colleagues have certainly shifted in light of life-altering circumstances, but these epiphanies have also reaffirmed what really matters to people when it comes to employment. Many have become more contemplative about their ambition, work-life balance and relationship with employers. Such a shift is reflected in our survey, which found that 21% prioritize career growth over all other considerations for a new job, followed by 18% who value flexible work arrangements the most, and 16% who say pay is paramount. 

With wages only the third-highest priority, does this view align with yours? It may or may not, but it’s increasingly likely you have come to appreciate the other benefits of a job, such as career progression or learning and development. This is why to achieve the greatest satisfaction from your career, establishing clear goals and ambitions is essential to professional success.  

Clarity provides not only guidance for the future but also allows employers to understand and offer the growth support and development curriculum your career needs most. One of the biggest trends unfolding in corporate learning and development is tailoring programs for each individual, and with the power of AI, this effort will become more effective and efficient in the near future. To take advantage of this trend, make sure to articulate what your career priorities are with your managers and HR. 

And if higher pay is one of your top priorities, be aware of market demands and competitive compensation for your skills and experience. One way to do this is through publicly available data on wages, such as Lorien’s 2024 Technology & Digital Salary Survey report, which provides job-specific average salaries in North America. With this information, you can more effectively find a role that pays what’s fair and meets your expectations.  

With all of this information, you can better ask your employers for the opportunities and benefits you seek. Advocate your position by pointing out all the ways the company will profit from investing in your career and job growth: higher productivity, skills matching to future needs, and greater satisfaction and engagement. It’s a winning combination for everyone.

What to expect when making a change

When it’s time to change jobs, knowing what your professional goals are will make it easier to find the ideal job and employer. Be aware in today’s competitive market, however, the time it takes to land a new role may be longer than you expect. Furthermore, the recruitment journey at many companies has changed as well, adding to the complexity and time to hire. And an employer’s hiring process may not align with your expectations. 

Lorien’s survey of tech workers found that 57% want the recruitment process to be completed within two weeks, and 95% say the recruitment process shouldn’t take more than four weeks. These timelines are far shorter than the average hiring cycle of 44 days reported in one recent study, which also found that some IT roles can take as long as 70 days to fill.  

But it’s not just the amount of time it takes to hire that may be surprising on your next job hunt; the number of interviews some companies require can be protracted and exhausting. That’s why most people we surveyed (63%) say two rounds of interviews are acceptable; just one-quarter will tolerate three. The current processes at many organizations may take even longer, and that’s one reason more than one-third (36%) of workers say they want companies to shorten the process. So, if you feel your next job search is taking much too long, don’t despair; it’s a challenging job market out there, but there is still plenty of hiring taking place.  

You can land the ideal role if you invest effort into understanding what motivates and feeds your ambition—whether that means growth potential, learning opportunities or a bigger paycheck. And when you are ready for the next step, be informed about the process so you know what to expect. Having realistic expectations will make for a better and more successful search.