Considering a Job Change

People change jobs for many reasons.  Some have reached a ceiling in their current role and feel moving on will advance their careers.  Others dislike their job so a change can only be seen as better.  Others want an improvement in salary.  Changes in company structures or cultures can also be motivating factors in considering a job change.

Before you do decide to search for a new job, are you totally convinced that you need to leave your current role?  What is it about your current job that you don’t like?

Can these issues be resolved internally?  Is there anything you do like about your job?  If you do leave, will you just end up in the same scenario with your new job?

If you have reached the decision that leaving is the best option, be very clear what you want from your new job.  It is important to take the below steps;

• Write down the main things you want from your new job and place them in order of priority.  Is it money, location, career advancement, type of company?
• Write down what you don’t want from your new job also.  What is it that led you to want to change jobs?  Again, place those reasons in order of priority.
• Have a clear strategy on how you are going to obtain your dream job.  Roughly how long do you think it will take?
• Set yourself mini-milestones for parts of the process like timescale to prepare your CV, the amount of interviews you hope to attend, etc.
• Be realistic.  Expecting to walk into your dream job tomorrow with a 50% salary increase at a stone’s throw away from your house is unlikely to happen.
• Do you have the skills for the jobs you are applying for or do you need further training/education?
• Research the market for the salary your experience should demand before assuming what you are worth.
• Stay positive.
• Searching for a new job can be stressful and filled with setbacks along the way.
• Remain focused and tweak where you feel you need to improve upon instead of wallowing in self-pity and negativity.
• Seek advice.  Talk to family, friends or people outside of your network who you feel can help and provide you with information you need to know.
• Talking to career experts and recruitment companies on changing jobs can prove very valuable.