The research also found that 45% of workers find their career progression opportunities limited at their current employer, a 13% rise from the number last year.
Hays say that people here are “experiencing the ‘Great Dissatisfaction’ and that there could be a wave of people leaving their current organisations if the job market improves.
Overall, people’s view of their own careers has only registered as more negative across the UK in 2016, immediately after Brexit, and at the start of the pandemic.
Around a third of people surveyed in Northern said they had changed jobs in the last year, with the main reason for doing so being the lack of career progression.
At 52%, just over half of respondents said they will look for a new job in the coming year, and 28% mean to do so in the next six months.
The survey from the recruitment agency Hays received 560 responses from professionals and employers in NI, and was conducted between August 21 and September 11 this year.
John Moore, managing director of Hays, said: “As our research warns, employers should be aware that we might see part two of the Great Resignation as soon as people feel more confident to change jobs.
“It’s apparent that a lot of professionals in Northern Ireland unfortunately see limited opportunities to progress their careers and inevitably feel disheartened as a result.
“Now is the time to confront this dissatisfaction in the workforce head on. Some of the ways employers can do this include prioritising transparent career mapping, providing continuous learning and upskilling opportunities, and fostering a culture of support through mentorship.
“Organisations will no doubt boost employee morale and enhance productivity and retention by investing time into their staff’s growth.
“For employees, it’s crucial to keep a close eye out for development opportunities and discuss career goals and ambitions with managers, welcome feedback, and in available training and mentorship initiatives.
“Employees can position themselves for career progression and new opportunities by proactively engaging in their own professional and personal growth.”