The employment landscape is shifting. Should you look for a new job?

A help wanted sign on a door.
A sign on the door of Stonehouse Coffee and Roastery in Nisswa, Minn., advertises job openings. Stonehouse and other Brainerd-area businesses have had to reduce hours due to a shortage of workers to keep up with a busier-than-ever summer tourist season.
Kirsti Marohn | MPR News

You’ve heard we’re in the middle of what some are calling the “Great Resignation.” A whole lot of people are calling it quits and leaving their jobs.

According to the latest report from the Labor Department, a record-breaking 4 1/2 million people left their jobs last November, and nearly 7 million people were out of work and looking for jobs.

At the same time, there’s a huge shortage of workers. There were 10 1/2 million job openings in November. Employers are desperate to hire, which gives workers a unique opportunity to get better compensation or switch careers — if they can find the right fit.

If you’ve only just started thinking about leaving your current job, or if you’ve been between jobs for a while, how do you approach a career transition, especially in a time like this? Kate Schaefers shared practical advice for considering your options with host Cathy Wurzer. Schaefers is director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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