There has never been a better time to resign and find a job with more meaning – or better pay. More than two million people found new jobs over the summer. 

The “Great Resignation”, a US phenomenon that has taken hold this side of the Atlantic, has gathered pace as workers reassess their post-Covid careers.

The jobs market is not the same as it was before the pandemic, however. Some sectors are thriving and have raised pay to attract new employees. Others have fewer vacancies and salaries have failed to keep pace with inflation or even declined in absolute terms. 

But the search for change has shown little sign of slowing down. Employees have a breadth of options if they want to increase earnings. 

Telegraph Money takes you through five things to consider before making a switch.

Which part of the UK should I look for work in?

Despite its higher pay, Britain’s capital city has not led the way for wage growth. Salaries in London are only 1.1pc higher than last year, the slowest growth rate in the country. 

Employees in Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and Scotland have seen the biggest pay rises in the past year.

Career change hopefuls could be better served by looking for work outside of the capital if they want to get their earnings to grow once they begin working. Average weekly pay rose 9pc in Northern Ireland in the past 12 months, 5.5pc in the West Midlands, which includes Birmingham, and 5pc in Scotland, according to the Office for National Statistics.

However, pay starts at a lower level. The typical worker in the City of London earns £1,138 a week compared with £619 in Birmingham.