Employee Satisfaction Has Plummeted Since the Pandemic. Here's How to Find a New Job

A recent survey conducted by BambooHR gathered employee satisfaction metrics from 57,000 unique individuals across 1,600 companies -- and the results paint a pretty dim picture of employee morale.

The data shows that employee satisfaction has declined at a rate 10 times faster than in the previous three years, and employees are more unhappy in their jobs than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic.

The reasons behind employee unhappiness vary, and some of them are industry-specific. For example, technology workers are reportedly more unhappy because return-to-office mandates have ramped up in the sector. Restaurant and service industry workers are unhappy in part because of a lack of staff. Meanwhile, educators are dissatisfied because they feel overworked and underpaid, according to the survey.

Unsurprisingly, employee pay is often a factor in how happy an employee is. A separate Pew Research study found that only 34% of employees were extremely or very satisfied with how much they're paid. More workers may be unhappy with their pay, as inflation has wreaked havoc on people's personal finances over the past few years.

Based on all this research, there's a good chance you're feeling dissatisfied with your job right now. If so, here are a few tips to help you jump-start your job search.

Tips for finding a new job

Not all of these suggestions may apply to you specifically, but there are some general steps you can take to make the most of your job hunting.

• Build your network: I'm purposefully not using the word "networking" here because it sends shivers down most people's spines (including mine!). Thankfully, attending networking events isn't a prerequisite for finding a new job. Instead, try reconnecting with former colleagues on LinkedIn to expand your network and telling friends and people you've worked with that you're looking for a job. The more people who know that you're job searching, the better your chances of finding someone who might be hiring.
• Talk to recruiters: Applying for jobs is time-intensive. Why not let someone else help? The job-posting platform Indeed says many companies use talent agencies to fill positions, so working with a recruiter can be a great way to accelerate your job search.
• Be specific with your resume and cover letter: Another suggestion from Indeed is to tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you're applying for. Some experts have suggested the cover letter is dead, but for companies that still request one, describe how your skills fit into the role and why you're excited to be a part of their team.

There's also one piece of advice I've used personally in previous job searches that often gets overlooked: Take inventory of why you're looking for a new job.

Many people look for a new position, thinking that having any job other than the one they have will be better. But without reflecting on why you're unhappy in your current position, you may trade one lousy experience for another.

Instead, list what makes you unhappy in your current job and what would make you happier in a new position. It may be more pay, a better collaborative environment, a shorter commute, or something else. You might not get everything you want from a new job, but knowing what you're after will help you avoid pursuing some jobs that may not be the right fit.